Knicks trying to acquire another pick in draft
The New York Knicks have the No. 4 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, where they’ll have a plethora of options. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor are expected to be off the board with the top two picks, and many people expect D’Angelo Russell to go No. 3 to the Philadelphia 76ers. There’s always a chance something crazy happens and somebody drops, but even if that doesn’t happen, players like Emmanuel Mudiay, Kristaps Porzingis, Justise Winslow and Willie Cauley-Stein will be available.
While the Knicks are banking on their top pick panning out, Phil Jackson’s squad needs quite a bit of help before they can be considered legitimate contenders again. A good amount of cap space in free agency should help, but New York needs an infusion of cheap, young talent. With this in mind, it’s no surprise the Knicks are trying to acquire another pick in this draft, according to RealGM’s Shams Charania.
New York is offering cash considerations in an attempt to get into the end of the first round, although a second-round pick would be helpful as well, even if second-rounders usually don’t pan out. Having a chance at snagging a steal that late in the draft is better than not having that opportunity at all.
The Knicks have worked out several players slated to go late in the first round or sometime in the second, and they’ve reportedly been selling the idea that they plan on acquiring a pick in that range.
If New York can’t get an extra pick that way, we can’t rule out a trade down from the No. 4 spot. It would probably behoove the Knicks to just stay at No. 4, but if they feel like they can drop back and perhaps snag two players they like, maybe that’s the route they go. As mentioned, they’ll have some nice options, and Jackson is sure to be busy in the days leading up to the draft.