Most experts view Zion Williamson and Ja Morant as the top two prospects in the 2019 NBA draft, with R.J. Barrett right behind them, making Barrett a logical target for the Knicks at No. 3. However, while New York likes Barrett, the club isn’t locked in on selecting him yet, and is doing its due diligence on several options for that No. 3 overall pick, reports Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com (Insider link).
The Knicks have explored the possibility of trading back in the lottery to pick up an extra asset or two, according to Givony, who points to the Hawks‘ Nos. 8 and 10 picks as a potential match for New York. While one source tells Givony that a trade with Atlanta is one scenario the Knicks are mulling, Ian Begley of SNY.tv hears that such a deal isn’t under “serious consideration” by either club at this point.
Both Givony and Begley point out that the Knicks are fans of other prospects who should be available at No. 3 and could slip further down the top 10. Givony identifies Cam Reddish, Jarrett Culver, Coby White, and Nassir Little as players who are getting a close look from New York, while Begley singles out Reddish and Culver as well. Culver is scheduled to work out for the Knicks on June 5 and Reddish will also have a pre-draft visit with the team.
Still, assuming the Knicks stay in the No. 3 spot, Barrett looks like the odds-on favorite to be their man. He has significant support within the organization and will work out for New York before the draft, says Begley. That workout will take place on June 10, per Givony, who adds that Barrett “would be excited” about becoming a Knick.
Of course, before the Knicks get a shot at Barrett, he’ll have to make it past the Grizzlies at No. 2. Givony, who reported shortly after the lottery that Memphis had zeroed in on Morant, suggests that the team has been sending out mixed messages as of late.
The Grizzlies’ ownership group is still telling people around the league that Morant is their guy, but the front office wants to bring in Barrett for a private workout, according to Givony. Sources tell ESPN that Barrett has declined that request for now, though he’ll have time to reconsider it before the draft.
Pretty sure he’s a no-brainer at no. 3. Only the Knicks could screw this up.
Watch them trade back and then miss on the free agents.
Here we go again. Passing on Barrett would be a typical Knicks move. He’s not Zion but almost everyone knows he’s the right move with the third pick….except the Knicks. They’ll pick someone else at #3 or trade back and then whiff on all the top FA’s.
lol… and so it begins. If Memphis takes Ja, you take RJ. If Memphis takes RJ you take Ja. Not sure this draft gets any simpler 1-3. 4th and 5th is either Cam or Culver.
Lakers already have two 3s; and not sure Reddish can be a guard. Hunter or a trade is the best move at #4. Agree with the rest.
I like Nassir but he’s a huge risk for the GM this high. His inclusion on this ‘list’ suggests Knicks are just checking out the field for their knowledge base.
This better be just a smokescreen.
Ian Begley just tweeted that the exact opposite LOL: “Any potential trade between the Knicks and the Hawks involving their first-round picks is not currently under “serious consideration” by either side, a league source told SNY.”
This is in the story.
I don’t see either team making this move but I will take the other side. Not at all sure that Barrett’s decision making comps to a good player on a good team. And the one thing that the Knicks did well in the last 2 years is identify talent others missed. Their amateur scouts have found useful players in Dotson, Trier, and Robinson. Give me the #8 and #10.
Its easier to pick players when the pool narrows. And its easier to pick players who werent drafted and label them success when they perform above expectations which is usually only making the team. Knicks need an impact player that can heavily contribute by year 3 but shows great potential in year 1 and 2.
KNICKS! KNICKS! KNICKS! KNICKS!
Lets fudge this up. My good ole Knicks do what we do best!
Thinking outside the box hasnt worked for most of the past 20 years. Just do the obvious and pick RJ please.
atlanta coming in hawt
Can anyone identify an NBA draft in the modern era (even a deep one) where a team traded a top 3 pick and only got #8 and #10 in the same draft (or equivalent)-? I doubt it. This draft is very weak after the top 3, so it’s unlikely to be the first. While the Stooges don’t appear to have a sense of market value, this one is too simple for even them to screw up.
No, but last year (18) 3 ended up being traded for (18) 5 and (19) 10. Of course, 10 was unknown at the time.
In 1988, (88) 3 was also traded for (88) 6 and (89) 19. But once again the next year pick was unknown at the time of the trade.
3 also got traded for 5 with OJ Mayo and Kevin Love, although there were other pieces involved there. I know the Wolves salary dumped someone in the move down.
The only other trades from the 80s involving the 3 pick were for players, not picks. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Mitch Richmond, and John Drew were star, but not superstar, players when they were traded for 3. Maybe the equivalent of players like Clint Capela, Tobias Harris, or CJ McCollum depending on how much the pick was wanted.
Based on those precedents, using the two instances without players (just picks), a market deal for trading down from 3 to 5, and then 5 to 8 would look like this:
Atlanta gets
2019, #3
Knicks get:
2019, #8
2020 1st (Dallas protection, 5 burning off to Zero)
— from 3rd worst 2019 team
(just like their trade from 3 to 5 last year)
2020 1st (unprotected)
— from the worst team in 2019
(they can’t get it, it’s ours, so to be sporting, the Knicks could consider letting Hawks substitute either Phx’s or Clev’s 2020 1st unprotected, after they fetch it for whatever it takes)
OR, if the Knicks are really anxious to move Barrett, then merely #8 and unprotected 2020 1st and 2022 1st Hawks picks.
I don’t think you’ll get 3 firsts. You might get 8, 35, 41, and Atlanta taking Lance Thomas’s contract off the Knicks’ hands. With the Knicks looking to clear cap space, taking Thomas and having a smaller first round salary hold, you definitely would have two max salaries and the possibility of adding a third through trade. Plus, the two high second rounders could add quality talent without the need for a salary hold.
Thomas has a NG contract. 35 and 41 have relatively little value.
By your own research, 2 future 1sts with no or very light protection is the historically supported price to trade from #8 to #3. Why would the Knicks take less-?
IF the Knicks did that I’m 90% sure it would ONLY be after making an initial pick at #3.
Let’s say the Knicks, for whatever reason, aren’t that high on Barrett/Hunter/Culver but really like Coby White, etc. In that same scenario, let’s say the Hawks love Barrett. The Knicks might tab Barrett at the #3, wait and see who’s still on the board at #8. Let’s say there are two guys they worked out and really like them. They MIGHT be willing to pull of that trade
Possible, but seems very risky if they don’t want Barrett.
Plus, I think Atlanta would be trading up for Culver, not Barrett. I believe he is the guy they want more than any.
I feel like because it is the Knicks RJ is more likely to be a star if they pass on him. It’s just how the universe works.
Completely agree with this.
And I’m not even a little superstitious.
This is why it’s so hard being a Knicks fan.
SMH
First the Knicks somehow blew it by not getting the first pick and now they are supposed to publically commit to a player they aren’t positive will last until 3?
They shouldn’t commit early anyway. They might be reducing fan expecations of the player because he’ll be traded, not wanting to count on him making it to three or working teams below them who are really hot for a specific guy…likely a pg…
They didn’t “blow” a chance at the #1 they just didn’t get it.
Memphis has Conley. They should be ripped for drafting Morant. Draft what you need. Conley has a contract that will be difficult to move.
That’s short-sighted thinking. Morant’s a kid and Conley will be 32. Excellent situation to ease Morant in. Otherwise, they’ll need a PG in two years and there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to draft an elite PG then.
Plus they MIGHT be able to use Conley for another piece. It would have to be another expensive contract but they’re out there.
Big contracts are hard to move but there’s a couple teams at least that wants Conley. Utah probably wishes they added Exum to get him in February. The only impediment is Memphis doesn’t want to give him up… not a small impediment… He looks like Black Jesus after all!
link to twitter.com
link to hoopshype.com
Lakers should trade Lebron to the Knicks and here’s why. Knicks need a meal ticket and Lebron still got juice. What better market than New York to go out a winner. Irving would come, Jimmy Butler or a trade for Davis and they there. Meanwhile L.A. gets younger with #3, #4 picks plus free up cap space to resign DeAngelo Russell and Juluis Randle. Draft Bol Bol and Cam Reddish.