Here’s a Knicks primer you’ll need to get through Draft Day 2021 (and beyond)
We’ll start with something sounding hyperbolic but altogether true. This is the biggest week in Leon Rose’s short Knicks career.
After mostly sitting on his assets in his 17 months as team president, Rose will have four draft picks and over $50 million in cap space to allocate in free agency. There are so many possibilities and so much percolating, it’s impossible to narrow the Knicks to one overriding agenda for this week. Contingencies have contingencies.
But we’re breaking it all down below, starting with the most pressing matter of Thursday’s NBA draft.
KNICKS PICKS
19th, 21st, 32nd, 58th
POTENTIAL TARGETS
Chris Duarte, G, Oregon
The sharpshooter is among the oldest in the draft class at 24, which accompanies his high floor/low ceiling projection. Duarte’s recent solo workout at the team’s practice facility bolstered the belief the Knicks have genuine interest.
Isaiah Jackson, PF, Kentucky
The Knicks have a deep connection to the Kentucky Wildcats that is driving the speculation about Jackson. He’d be another paint presence for Tom Thibodeau’s defense.
Tre Mann, G, Florida
An adept shooter who is projected as a late first-rounder. He’d give the Knicks a scoring boost, which might be necessary since five of their guards are hitting free agency.
Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn
We’ve heard a lot of links to the Knicks have been driven from the players’ side, so perhaps the interest isn’t as robust as reports indicate. Cooper is a playmaking point guard projected in the late first round. Defense is a concern.
Trey Murphy III, Wing, Virginia
A 3-and-D type with good size and athleticism for his skillset. Not the biggest upside and defensively there could be issues.
Usman Garuba, F, Spain
Elite defensive potential in the Spanish League might translate in the NBA (or it might not), but it’s easy to envision Thibodeau grooming Garuba as his next Taj Gibson.
PACKAGING PICKS
The Knicks already have young roster and Thibodeau won’t have much use for multiple rookies. So it’s unsurprising Rose has been trying to consolidate the picks as one asset to move up in the draft. The bet here is that he figures out a way. If unable, the picks can be used to acquire a veteran player for Thibodeau, who demonstrated last season he’s ready to push the timeline to contention. That brings to our next category ….
TRADE MARKET
Draft day represents a deadline of sorts for blockbusters, and the Knicks hope to play a role should a star be placed on the block. Unlike most teams, they can absorb a bad contract because of their cap space and own a four first-round picks over the next two years to dangle.
For the big splash, here are five possibilities:
He’d be the best on the market and the clearest path to contention. But Lillard has four years remaining on his contract and there’s skepticism he can push his way out before the season starts. Maybe that changes if Lillard makes a hard trade demand, but I wouldn’t count on the point guard becoming available in the short term.
This makes more sense. Beal is operating on an expiring contract and the Wizards are light years from contention. If the Wizards deal their best player, they’re likely headed for a rebuild and would be interested in the type of assets the Knicks can provide — draft picks, young prospects. Still, there’d be a bidding war and Rose would have to empty his war chest for a player who has never been out of the second round. If the Warriors offer their youngsters and draft picks, would the Knicks have to give up RJ Barrett? Is it worth it?
Simmons is definitely available. But the problem is twofold — 1) he’s not exactly reliable after freezing up in the playoffs, and 2) the Sixers want a title NOW and the Knicks can’t help them upgrade except for maybe Julius Randle. And what would be the point of trading for Simmons without Randle on the roster? Only a multi-team deal makes sense.
Probably, at this point, the most feasible target for the Knicks. He wouldn’t cost as much for them to acquire, and there’s interest from Cleveland to unload the point guard before he hits free agency next summer. He’s a scorer and playmaker — which the Knicks desperately need — but there remain concerns about his size (6-0) and impact on winning. There’s also the intriguing possibility of absorbing Kevin Love’s monstrosity of a contract to acquire Sexton, thereby relieving the Knicks from giving away draft capital or prospects. The jury is out on Sexton but it makes sense if the Knicks are really sold on the 22-year-old.
CJ McCollum
If the Blazers intend to keep Lillard and upgrade the roster, their best avenue toward upgrading the roster is dealing McCollum. However, just like the conundrum with Ben Simmons, the Knicks don’t strike an ideal partner unless it’s a multi-team trade. Frankly, a Simmons-for-McCollum deal straight up sounds more appealing for both sides.
TOP FREE AGENCY DECISIONS
Julius Randle Extension: He’s eligible for a four-year extension worth over $100 million, which the Knicks will be happy to offer. The issue is Randle can earn about $100 million more by waiting until unrestricted free agency in 2022. It’s a risk but All-NBA players tend to bet on themselves.
Re-signing own free agents: The Knicks have seven players hitting the market this summer. With so much in flux, the idea of predicting the res-signings seems destined to backfire. But we’ll take a stab.
Returning — Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Reggie Bullock
Leaving — Elfrid Payton, Frank Ntilikina, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel.
FREE AGENCY TARGETS
We’re assuming that Kawhi Leonard re-signs with the Clippers. Even after tearing his ACL, he’d be the most coveted of all free agents. Regardless, the Knicks will have a plethora of options with the most cap space in the NBA. It’s not the most heralded class but there’s volume and here’s a list by position (keep in mind, Chris Paul is most likely to re-sign with the Suns)
Backcourt: Chris Paul (Phoenix), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), Lonzo Ball (Pelicans), Spencer Dinwiddie (Nets), Evan Fournier (Celtics), DeMar DeRozan (Spurs), Mike Conley (Jazz), Norman Powell (Blazers), Victor Oladipo (Heat), Duncan Robinson (Heat), Gary Trent Jr. (Raptors), Dennis Schroder (Lakers), Goran Dragic (Heat), Will Barton (Nuggets),
Frontcourt: John Collins (Hawks), Jarrett Allen (Cavs), Lauri Markkanen (Bulls), Kelly Oubre (Warriors), Andre Drummond (Lakers), Serge Ibaka (Clippers), Montrezl Harrell (Lakers), Carmelo Anthony (Blazers), Dwight Howard (Sixers).
