JUNE 27: The trade is now official, the Knicks confirmed (via Twitter).
JUNE 26: The Thunder have agreed to acquire the No. 26 pick from the Knicks and are using it to draft Weber State’s Dillon Jones, according to reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter links).
Oklahoma City will trade five second-round picks to New York in exchange for Jones’ rights at No. 26, per Charania (Twitter link). The five second-rounders are as follows, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports (Twitter links):
- Either the Celtics’ or Grizzlies’ 2025 second-round pick (whichever is more favorable).
- The Warriors’ 2026 second-round pick.
- The Timberwolves’ 2027 second-round pick.
- Either the Thunder’s, Rockets’, Heat’s, or Pacers’ 2027 second-round pick (whichever is second-most favorable).
- Either the Thunder’s, Rockets’, Heat’s, or Pacers’ 2027 second-round pick (whichever is third-most favorable).
Adding Jones at No. 26 is a surprise move from Thunder team president Sam Presti. As The Oklahoman’s Joel Lorenzi tweets, Jones – who was not invited to the green room – was ranked 50th on ESPN’s big board and 65th by The Athletic.
However, the three-time All-Big Sky honoree had a big senior season in his final year with the Wildcats in 2023/24, averaging 20.8 points, 9.8 boards, 5.2 dimes, and 2.0 steals per game across 31 starts (37.0 MPG), with a shooting line of .489/.324/.857.
The move will allow the Knicks to replenish their future draft assets to some extent after the Nets ransacked their stash in the Mikal Bridges trade. It should also save New York some money and create additional flexibility below the tax aprons, since the cap hold for the No. 26 would have been about $2.63MM. The Knicks could instead use that roster spot on a minimum-salary player.
Luke Adams contributed to this report.
The knicks got 2 extremely versatile top tier 2 way wings for barely anything, then reloaded draft capital pretty easily…They’re in strong position
If you needed more proof that 2nd round picks are worthless, look no further than this trade. Five 2nds for the 26th pick in a weak draft.
It’s a bit surprising, given 26th is almost a second round pick. It seems they *really* like Dillon Jones.
So, effectively the Knicks turned the 24th pick into six 2nd round picks. With the draft being as mediocre as it is, the Knicks probably get a player that is somewhat similar in potential at 38 as they would have at 24, have another pick at the back end of the draft where they could take a flier on another player and add the draft capital that rebuilding teams usually deal useful vets on expiring contracts at the deadline for. Overall I think it’s a solid move for the Knicks.
It wasn’t like any of those 2nd rounders are making the Thunder team. They are going to eventually trade more picks each year.
OKC should have used some of them last year for size and rebounding at the trade deadline.
A couple of starters in the Knicks were drafted with those worthless picks…Brunson and Robinson. Joker, Manu, etc. Of you’re inferring how GMs manage them like poker chips, then yes.
@padam: Yeah, I’m referring to how GMs value them. They’re tossed around like candy. But also, for every Brunson or Robinson, there’s like 15-20 bums who never do anything. The hit rate on second rounders is very low.
The hit rate for roleplayers is a lot higher than studs, though. Teams that can draft a steady supply of guys who are playable off the bench, who can play average defense with one standout skill, can get a lot out of 2nd round picks.
From the 2022 draft alone, you’ve got Max Christie, Caleb Houstan, Andrew Nembhard, Jaylin Williams, Bryce McGowens, Christian Koloko (though he’s sadly dealing with those blod clot issues), Vince Williams, Moussa Diabate, Jaden Hardy, and Jabari Walker, all of whom have at least some value as bench players. That’s ten of 28 picks, and there are others who could contribute like Isaiah Mobley, Gui Santos, Luke Travers, Hugo Besson, and Kennedy Chandler. You basically have coinflip odds of getting *something* out of a second round pick in an average draft, which isn’t nearly as bad as some people make it out to be.
FIVE ?????? OK
5 picks is nice, but I was hoping for Dunn to be taken by the Knicks. OKC with all those picks make a try for KD but stay away from IHART
I liked the idea of Dunn as well, but it sounds like he may be an overlap with Josh Hart.
Wanted him too …..