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NBA Draft Rumors: Knicks more likely to trade No. 4 pick if Towns, Okafor, Russell already gone

By Cody Williams

Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson addresses the media before the start of game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson addresses the media before the start of game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks could use a top lottery pick on their depleted roster, but could make a big trade if the guys they want aren’t there.

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The New York Knicks went a mere 17-65 last season. That mark was far below expectations, but it looked even worse. Carmelo Anthony missed the remainder of the Knicks’ season after the All-Star break and the Knicks traded away Melo’s two biggest contributors in J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert.

By the end of the regular season, the Knicks were starting Langston Galloway, Tim Hardaway Jr., Lance Thomas, Jason Smith, and Cole Aldrich. Yikes.

Now the Knicks have an opportunity to add major help to their roster and give their organization a bit of hope. Holding the number four pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Knicks should be able to land a top prospect that will be able to flank Anthony for the foreseeable future. At least that’s what common perception would dictate.

Apparently the Knicks aren’t sold on using the number four pick to take any prospect. The organization is sold on the top three prospects in the draft: Karl Anthony-Towns, Jahlil Okafor, and D’Angelo Russell. However, there’s a good possibility that those three players will be off the board when the Knicks pick at four. If that happens, things could change for the Phil Jackson led Knicks organization.

According to Chad Ford, the Knicks could look to trade the number four pick if Towns, Okafor, and Russell are off of the board. From Ford:

"Sources say the Knicks are entertaining trading down in the draft if Towns, Okafor and Russell are all taken in the top three picks. It sounds as if they remain on the fence about both Emmanuel Mudiay and Porzingis. That’s why they’ve been looking at players such as Cameron Payne and Frank Kaminsky in recent workouts. If the Knicks can get a valuable veteran and still land somewhere in the back end of the lottery, it might make more sense for them than taking a player they aren’t sold on at No. 4. We know several teams, including the Nuggets and Pacers, are trying to move up in the draft."

It seems pretty clear that at least two of the top three prospects will be gone by the fourth pick, but the real monkey wrench lies in what the Philadelphia 76ers plan to do with the third pick. They are fond of Russell, but Sam Hinkie has become increasingly interested in Kristaps Porzingis and could select him with their lottery pick. If that were to happen, the Knicks would almost surely take Russell. If not, it’s up in the air what they will do.

While the idea of trading down in the lottery and getting a veteran is also enticing, the package that the Knicks are looking for may not actually be there. With Towns, Okafor, and Russell are gone, the value of the fourth pick is severely diminished.

The Knicks are a mess right now with their fan base still firmly behind Phil Jackson and his plans for the organization. We’ll see if how this draft goes changes any of those feelings of loyalty, though.

H/T to ProBasketballTalk

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