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Right here’s our huge board taking a look at completely different situations for the Knicks’ No. 8 choose:
1. STAYING AT 8: If the Knicks choose at 8 and don’t commerce for Russell Westbrook or Chris Paul, they might have the selection to draft one of many high level guards or wings within the draft at No. 8. Clearly, a lot will depend on what groups forward of them do. However let’s assume that there draft order stays the identical forward of them. As we sit right here 5 days earlier than the draft, I don’t suppose Obi Toppin will probably be there for them at 8. If Detroit takes Patrick Williams and Atlanta takes Isaac Okoro, the Knicks would be capable to select from Killian Hayes, Devin Vassell, Tyrese Haliburton and Kira Lewis Jr. Do they go level guard or wing on this situation? It’s most secure to imagine that they take a lead guard and that they’d go together with Haliburton right here. Haliburton has added energy to his body for the reason that finish of the school season and his playmaking and defensive versatility are engaging. One issue right here that’s value noting: Haliburton is a consumer of CAA, Leon Rose’s former company. So, honest or not, if Haliburton struggles and a guard taken a number of spots later seems to be the higher participant, the Knicks will depart themselves open to criticism because of Haliburton’s company affiliation.
2. STAYING AT 8: Sticking with the identical situation (Knicks keep at 8, don’t commerce for Westbrook or Paul and the draft order forward of them stays the identical), the Knicks may decide to take the guard that many see, in the long run, as a greater prospect that Haliburton: Kira Lewis Jr. Lewis Jr. has been projected decrease than eight in most mock drafts, however a number of groups lately mentioned they’d take Lewis Jr. forward of Haliburton. Lewis Jr. labored out for the Knicks, which, you’d suppose, carries just a little extra weight this yr than in previous years as a result of groups have been restricted to 10 in-person exercises. As of 5 days earlier than the draft, they hadn’t had an in-person exercise with Hayes or Haliburton. That they had labored out Toppin and Vassell. However, as issues stand on Saturday, I’d anticipate them to take a lead guard forward of Vassell on this situation. That’s why I at the moment see Lewis Jr. as a powerful chance right here.
3. STAYING AT 8, TRADING FOR A PG:If the Knicks traded for Westbrook or Paul forward of the draft, that might alter their strategy on draft evening. (On Saturday, some brokers have been underneath the impression the moratorium can be lifted by Monday.) In the event that they traded for both veteran guard, a number of groups anticipate them to place collectively a roster to compete for a playoff spot. My finest guess is that they’d lean extra towards drafting a wing on this spot, as a result of there are individuals within the group who want to see Dennis Smith Jr. have a shot to earn a rotation spot at backup level guard in 2020-21. So in the event that they dealt for Paul or Westbrook, my guess is that they’d take Vassell over a degree guard at 8.
4. TRADING BACK: The Knicks had been exploring all of their choices forward of the draft, together with the opportunity of buying and selling again within the teenagers, sources verify. In the event that they suppose they might get their focused participant with a later choose, they are going to have choices to commerce again. The Magic, Suns and Spurs are among the many groups choosing after New York who’ve been open to buying and selling their picks, per sources. Relying on how far the Knicks transfer again, Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey might be a goal. There are individuals within the group who’re followers of the Kentucky guard. He’s seen as a participant who might be accessible within the late Lottery. Aaron Nesmith, who was scheduled to fulfill with the Knicks, is also accessible right here. As may Saddiq Bey, who sources verify has labored out for the Knicks. Bey can be the choose if New York felt that it may put a roster collectively that’s able to compete. However I believe it’s almost certainly that they take Maxey on this situation since I’m assuming they wouldn’t commerce for Paul/Westbrook and in addition commerce down within the draft. In the event that they commerce for Westbrook/Paul and commerce again within the draft, I believe Bey would be the choose. The New York Submit first reported that the Knicks have been contemplating buying and selling again and The Athletic first reported that they’d labored out Bey.
5. TRADING UP. Because it stands on Saturday morning, this looks like the least possible situation for New York. No groups or brokers have gotten the sense that they love any of the highest prospects sufficient to commerce Mitchell Robinson and/or the first-round picks it will require to maneuver up. The almost certainly path to transferring up, in my view: New York acquires the No. 2 choose by absorbing the Andrew Wiggins contract in a 3-team deal that sends a high veteran (New Orleans’ Jrue Vacation?) to Golden State. On this situation, I may see them taking James Wiseman at No. 2, which might presumably result in a commerce of Robinson. If LaMelo Ball is out there on this situation, he’d be robust to cross up. However some with the group have expressed pessimism in regards to the thought of buying and selling as much as land Ball. A number of individuals in Ball’s circle noticed New York as a most popular vacation spot earlier than the Lottery. However momentum round Ball to the Knicks appeared to fade a bit after the Lottery.
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