Fansided

NBA Draft Rumors: Knicks looking to trade out of No. 4 spot

By Jonathan Bass

Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks fans during second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the New York Knicks 110-82.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks fans during second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the New York Knicks 110-82.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New York Knicks are reportedly hoping to trade down in the draft.

Next: Revisiting the New York Knicks' Draft Day Disasters

Interesting news trickling out about the Knicks: According to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, New York is seeking a trade that will move them lower in the draft, though still within the lottery.

Could this be more smoke to the rumors that Phil Jackson is really high on Frank Kaminsky and plans to select the Naismith Player of the Year with New York’s first-round pick? Taking Kaminsky at No. 4 would be one helluva reach, not so much based on talent, but on the fact that the value isn’t there. Best case scenario: the Knicks slide down a little, pick up some role players or expiring contracts and get their man on the backend of the lottery.

One thing that could affect New York’s decision to move down is a report that the Los Angeles Lakers are leaning towards taking point guard D’Angelo Russell at No. 2. Should that happen, either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor (most likely Okafor) has a good shot at falling to New York. Philadelphia, sitting at No. 3, is loaded down with young bigs and is in need of a point guard. It’s likely that in such a situation, even with Okafor on the board, the Sixers would go for Emmanuel Mudiay, thus leaving New York with a No. 1-overall caliber player.

That the Knicks are looking to move down, it likely says they feel L.A. is floating a smokescreen about Russell and will likely keep with whichever big falls to them. The real questions then become what, if anything, New York can get to move down, and if anyone will be willing to play ball with them.

More from Miscellaneous