Three trades for the Knicks to consider to move back in the draft

For the first time in a long time, the New York Knicks are reportedly not committed to standing pat with their first round draft pick, which this year stands at eighth overall.

New York Post writer Marc Berman stirred up Knicks Twitter, which had been relatively quiet throughout the postseason, with a report last Monday night that suggested New York could potentially move back from the eighth slot in November’s upcoming draft:

“At No. 8, the Knicks have staged internal talks about swapping back with a team in the Nos. 12-15 range to gain a young player in his rookie contract while still making a lottery pick.”

Trading back isn’t the worst idea for the Knicks to contemplate, considering they’ve hit on just two to three of their last dozen first round picks — RJ Barrett (2019), Kristaps Porzingis (2014), and Danilo Gallinari (2008).

(Hey, the Rooster did bring them Carmelo Anthony, right? I digress.)

A month away from the draft, no one’s been able to hone in on any one handful of guys that are more likely than any other handful of guys when it comes to who the New York Knicks are targeting or favoring for their first round pick.

Berman reported that as well, saying that aside from point guard LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman, New York doesn’t “love” any other prospect in this draft, which is considered by most to be a weak class. Some say Tyrese Haliburton is the guy. Others say Killian Hayes, Obi Toppin, or even wing Devin Vassell could end up at Madison Square Garden.

But the often ignored truth is that no franchise (outside of those that hold the first overall pick) can properly or accurately predict who will be their draft selection until the moment that the pick needs to be made.

New York’s uncertainty, combined with the enigma that is this year’s draft class, makes Berman’s report anything but a surprise. But who would make the most sense for the Knicks in a trade-back scenario on draft night?

I’ve got some ideas.

The Washington Wizards could be baited into a trade with New York, given their positioning at ninth overall.

No guy is more desperate to cut in line at the food stand, the water fountain, or in this case, the draft order than the one that’s directly behind you.

The Washington Wizards are one of the most pressured teams going into next season, after disappointedly earning the ninth overall pick (AKA finishing last in the bubble) going into what is nothing short of a crucial draft.

Bradley Beal played the lead role for one act of the tragedy of a play that is Washington basketball last season, without co-star and point guard John Wall.

But even his 30 points per game average didn’t hide the fact that he needs some serious help moving forward, or he’s going to bounce elsewhere. And there are going to be plenty of teams breathing down General Manager Tommy Sheppard’s neck asking about Beal, rest assured.

When the Detroit Pistons send in their pick at seventh overall, if the Wizards’ top prospect is still on the board (James Wiseman or Onyeka Okongwu, perhaps), expect that Washington will at least reach out to the Knicks.

What’s in it for New York? Perhaps young forward Troy Brown Jr., who’s struggled to find a role after three up-and-down years in Washington, despite his talent. He was drafted just outside of the lottery in 2018, but has been plugged in and out of the starting lineup more times than the Knicks have made coaching changes over the last five years.

If not, New York could surely drag Jerome Robinson away from the Wizards, who’s only 23 years old going into next season. He was sent to Washington at the deadline (ironically, after the Knicks presumably passed on him in the Marcus Morris deal), and saw some success with a higher volume of touches inside the Orlando bubble.

The common factor between those two? They’re both skilled defensively, which is no doubt lining up to be this season’s emphasis behind the arrival of new head coach Tom Thibodeau. Both Robinson and Brown Jr. are considered prominent defenders, but are lacking on the offensive end, with the inconsistent starts to their careers likely to blame.

It might cost the Knicks one of their veteran guys, likely Reggie Bullock, or maybe even Bobby Portis (he had one hell of a run in a Wizards uniform in 2018), but needless to say there’s a trade here that makes sense for all parties. Washington’s looking to go all-in, and New York… well, they should be looking to go the other way. Serious potential here.

The Boston Celtics are another club for fans to watch, given that they have three picks in the first round this year.

My first trade proposal was based off of a desperation for assets, but this one is based off an overall abundance of them.

The Boston Celtics have three first round picks in this year’s draft, and the entire league knows they can’t walk all three into TD Garden next season without a change in the roster as constructed. It’s far more likely that “Dealing” Danny Ainge targets a player that can help them now, via a draft day trade, after they lost out in the Eastern Conference Finals. What could New York ask for in exchange for Boston’s 14th overall pick? How about one of those other two first round picks. Boston could send the Knicks either of the 26th or 30th picks in addition to the 14th. It’s possible that the 26th would make more sense, given that New York is already in possession of the 27th overall pick, securing their ability to target multiple players at the end of the first round.

Given the Knicks’ seemingly cautious (or flat out uncertain) approach to this year’s draft class, they’d no doubt like to get as many opportunities as possible at grabbing any potential steal of this draft. And New York, well, they’re not necessarily in a place where bringing four rookies onto next year’s team should be thought of as a taboo concept.

If it’s going to be another tough year for the Knicks (it will), they’d be wise to make the most of it by giving as much youth a chance as possible, something they’ve purposefully shied away from in recent years. Tom Thibodeau is going to be looking for his next Jimmy Butler, so let’s make sure to give him a big enough sample size to try to mold his next superstar.

You also can’t ignore Marc Berman linking the Knicks to a trade down with the Orlando Magic.

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and questioned your blind loyalty to this franchise that is the New York Knicks, stop putting yourself down. Because the Orlando Magic, for whatever reason, are somehow still talking themselves into the idea of Dennis Smith Jr. as an NBA talent.

For the first time in his career, the point guard didn’t average double digits in points per game last season. Far from it actually, with Smith posting just over five points nightly. Berman reported a potential trade down scenario with the Magic in the very same report that suggested the Knicks’ interest in the idea:

“According to an NBA source, Orlando has shown interest in Dennis Smith Jr., so a bigger deal could work with the Magic if they swap the No. 8 and No. 15 slots.”

It’s hard to see New York swapping the eighth pick for the 15th straight up without additional incentive, given the excitement surrounding what we hope is a new and more determined front office. And aside from Mo Bamba, there isn’t much young talent (still on their rookie deal) on the Magic that’s necessarily yearning for relocation.

Perhaps the Knicks would take interest in the big man, a former fifth overall pick who’s seen his role decrease from year one to year two. Bamba averaged just 14 minutes for the Magic this year, but put up 13.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per 36 minutes. Orlando also has the draft rights to former Auburn big man Chuma Okeke, who was taken No. 16 overall last year and deferred signing his rookie deal for a year, instead signing with the G League Lakeland Magic and rehabbing a torn ACL.

Orlando’s a team that’s assuredly going to be making some moves this offseason. There’s no doubt they’d be interested in moving up in the draft, especially if New York threw in Dennis Smith Jr. as a sweetener. I mean, the only thing better than one Markelle Fultz is two, right?

Sorry, the idea still doesn’t sit right with me. Get well soon, DSJ.