The winner of tonight’s NBA draft lottery will ostensibly be the winner of the Zion Williamson sweepstakes, but it’s possible that the team with the No. 1 pick will end up using Williamson as a trade chip. While most clubs wouldn’t pass on the opportunity to move forward with the Duke forward as a franchise centerpiece, the Knicks are one team that might consider dealing him.
In fact, according to Shams Charania of Stadium (video link via Knicks Film School), if the Knicks do land the No. 1 overall pick, they’re expected to “shift their focus” to a potential trade for Anthony Davis. Charania reports that Williamson and Kevin Knox would likely be the headliners of a Knicks offer for Davis in that scenario.
Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News conveys a similar sentiment, tweeting that Knicks executives have told rivals they plan to seriously pursue Davis this summer.
For a team in the midst of a rebuild, it wouldn’t make much sense to trade a young, cost-controlled building block like Williamson, so the Knicks’ apparent willingness to use him as a trade chip in Davis negotiations is the latest signal that the franchise is confident about its ability to land other impact players in free agency and contend immediately.
Of course, as noted in our draft lottery primer, the Knicks’ odds of securing that top pick are still just 14.0%, so there’s a good chance this discussion will be moot in a matter of hours.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- In a conversation with Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, Knicks executives Steve Mills and Scott Perry spoke about the team’s upcoming offseason, its player development program, and much more. Asked about their flexibility, Perry pointed out that the Knicks’ cap room gives the front office multiple options. “The obvious answer is that it puts you in the free agency game,” the Knicks’ GM said. “What gets lost and doesn’t get talked about, you’re at the table for trades. The flexibility allows you to be involved in a multitude of discussions about a multitude of things to help your team get better.”
- Perry also addressed the Knicks’ offseason this week during an appearance on ESPN Radio, as Ian Begley of SNY.tv relays. “We’re going to play the hand we’re dealt,” Perry said in regard to the Knicks’ free agency plans. “… Whatever happens, we know we’re going to add some talent to the roster this summer.”
- Earlier today, we passed along word that the Knicks have interest in a pair of free-agents-to-be from the Celtics besides Kyrie Irving.
“What gets lost and doesn’t get talked about, you’re at the table for trades.” Yeah, that’s because Knick fans are afraid to talk about you being at the table for trades. Of course, we don’t have any more 23 year old AS’s for you to trade, so maybe the fear is overblown.
I would only make a trade for Davis is if it’s a sign a trade. No way to I make that deal without one in place.
Pretty sure that is against the rules. I believe a super max player cannot be traded for one season after signing. If AD can’t sign for the supermax, there is no incentive for him to do a sign and trade because he would be costing himself money based on veteran contract structure. AD is most likely going to sign a contract with an opt out after year 1 to maximize his earnings.
He’s not a FA, so it won’t be a S&T. He can do a regular extension (at regular outsider rates) right before or right after the trade (it makes no difference which, as the Pels can’t give him anything more than the Knicks – if they do, he can’t be traded for 6 months).
AD isn’t going to extend, as it would cost him $$.
The best move for the Knicks is to take Zion or Morant (if anything Barrett) and bring in a big free agent and a bunch of complimentary vets who can help mold the team into a perennial contender (think Jimmy Butler and maybe Marcus Morris and a guy like Rozier, who the Knicks have interest in). Makes no sense to trade a young player like Zion or Morant who has star written all over them for just one year of AD.
Davis is 26, if they resign him then they have a top 5 player for an extended time.
Zion is great, but you cant guarantee he’s a top 5 player now or in the next 5 seasons. Open the window now if you can especially given the New York market only cares about winning.
Davis is very injury prone though. Zion could end up being better than him and healthier… but you never know.
The “winner of the lottery” is a smokescreen for “NY Knicks” – the NBA has to have a competitive franchise in its biggest market.
The NBA is doing fine without that being the case.
David Griffin must be super happy he can get his hands on Zion Williamson.