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2015 NBA Draft: Should New York Knicks trade first round pick?

By Connor Muldowney

Apr 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) grabs a loose ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) grabs a loose ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 2015 NBA Draft just months away, the New York Knicks finished with the second-worst record in the NBA and are due for a top pick. Should they trade it?

After a tumultuous season in which the team waived former superstar big man Amar’e Stoudemire and finished with the second-worst record in the NBA at 17-65, the New York Knicks are looking to rebuild.

Phil Jackson, current president of the Knicks and forming coaching legend, has to decide what his next moves are regarding the health of the franchise. This organization is trending downward and he needs to change that — and fast. While being a coach and an executive are two completely different ballgames, Jackson knows what it takes to create a winning culture.

The president of basketball operations already brought in a youthful coach in Derek Fisher and the team looks to secure a top-three pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

However, Jackson has said he wants to keep open the option of trading their first-round pick.

Should he deal away a top selection?

Why he should trade it

Despite there being a wealth of talent at the top of the draft board this season, Jackson could get a star player for their pick from a team who is hungry to get younger.

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) dunks the ball over Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) in the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) dunks the ball over Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) in the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men /

Although the Knicks won’t get a superstar talent who would immediate turn this team into a contender, it will be one of Jackson’s three desired additions this offseason. The team president has already said he wanted to add three prominent players to the roster this offseason and that could be one of them.

He could get a ton in return and possibly a first-round pick for next season. There are a ton of big men as free agents this year and he could go that route, like a Greg Monroe, instead of through the draft and development process.

Why he shouldn’t trade it

With a top-three pick, the Knicks could either get a guard or a big man. Right now, the team needs literally everything but a small forward, the position of Carmelo Anthony.

This year’s draft is quite top-heavy and the Knicks need to take advantage of that. There are many big men, as well as point guards, who have the potential to be superstars at the next level. He could snag a guy like Karl-Anthony Towns or DeAngelo Russell with his first pick.

If he trades it away, he has to wait another year to get a top young talent and hope that some free agents come to New York.

What he should actually do

Jackson is a smart executive and although it’s taking a while to get the Knicks back to where they should be, it’s too risky to trade away a top pick.

Sure, the team isn’t nearly guaranteed a top-three pick with the craziness the Draft Lottery has had in the past few years, but it’s very likely. Grabbing a guy like KAT or Russell in the first round would be a win for the organization as it would have a guy to build around in the future, other than Carmelo.

Phil needs to hold onto the pick and draft a guard, in my opinion. There are a few good points in the draft and he could get a good one no matter where he selects in the lottery.

Hold out and get a big man in free agency. There are loads of them this offseason.

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