The New York Knicks own three picks in this month’s NBA draft, and some believe they should package them in a trade to add a veteran who can help them compete for a championship next season.
However, SNY’s Ian Begley reported on Wednesday that he doesn’t “get the sense that they are fully committed to moving their 2024 picks” as the draft approaches on June 26.
The Knicks own the 24th and 25th picks in the first round as well as the No. 38 pick in the second. Team president Leon Rose has a long history of trading picks on draft night, and Begley noted that “If the Knicks have the chance to add a top player who fits the roster, they will go after that player vigorously.” Still, New York has multiple holes on its roster that a single superstar won’t fix.
Begley added, “In some of New York’s recent draft meetings, discussions have been centered on finding players in the draft who can fill a void.”
The Knicks suffered injuries to multiple key players down the stretch this season and in the playoffs, and they didn’t have enough depth to get past the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Begley stated that at this point, “the focus has been on finding players who can bolster the back end of the roster” in this year’s draft.
With players like Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell and Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler rumored to be trade candidates this offseason, the Knicks will have tough decisions to make as they try to improve their roster around star point guard Jalen Brunson.
Adding a superstar in a trade can disrupt the chemistry of the team, so New York’s best course could be to add prospects who can improve the team’s depth.