NBA Rumors: 5 teams who could trade for Lonzo Ball

1. New York Knicks

With team president Leon Rose the latest to get a shot at reviving the franchise from the top spot in the front office, and Tom Thibodeau coming in as the new head coach, it’s a new era for the Knicks yet again. They will have money to spend, but as always it will be a matter of convincing someone of any note to take it.

After falling to eighth in the draft lottery the Knicks won’t be on position to draft LaMelo Ball (Lonzo’s brother), who reportedly has them as his preferred team. Cole Anthony might then be the  target at No. 8 then, perhaps with another move to shake up the point guard mix.

Marc Berman of The New York Post almost immediately questioned Dennis Smith Jr.’s fit with Thibodeau. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, the No. 9 pick in the 2017 draft is a possible trade chip. The pick before him the same draft (by the Knicks though), Frank Ntilikina is in similar boat to Smith. If Rose and Thibodeau are of the same mind on either or both of them, a “take what you can get” trade or two may be coming. Kevin Knox, the ninth overall pick in 2018 by the Knicks, could be on the move too if there’s a deal out there.

The Knicks could add their second first-round pick (27th overall) to a trade, or maybe they’d part with a future first-rounder on the idea they’ll be a better team quickly under Thibodeau. The ESPN Trade Machine provides some options for a deal that would bring Lonzo Ball to New York, but I like this one best.