The New York Knicks were active on NBA Draft night but they left pretty much everyone confused with their moves surrounding Jalen Duren and others.
What the heck just happened?
Knicks fans and just about everyone else keeping track of the NBA Draft were asking that while trying to make sense of what exactly the franchise was trying to accomplish on Thursday night.
Just as rumors of New York making a run at trading for Detroit No. 5 selection, Jaden Ivey, the Knicks appeared to make a move that got everyone excited…and then had them scratching their heads.
So here’s how it all went down.
The confusion started when Shams Charania reported that the Knicks acquired No. 13 pick, Jalen Duren, from the Hornets in practically the same second that Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Pistons had picked up Duren themselves.
Sources: Hornets traded Jalen Duren to the Knicks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2022
Tremendous coup for Detroit GM Troy Weaver to land two of his top targets in this draft: Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren -- with the cost of only a future first-round pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2022
Charania then added that Kemba Walker was heading from New York to the Pistons along with Duren.
Knicks acquired Jalen Duren -- and moved him with Kemba Walker to the Pistons, sources said. https://t.co/kzyljkrFnI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2022
That means a three-team trade essentially resulted in the Hornets getting draft picks while the Pistons got Duren and the Knicks dumped Kemba Walker’s contract.
For a second there, it seemed as though New York might pull off an Ivey trade, using picks they got from trading their No. 11 pick to Oklahoma City along with Duren to get their guy. Instead, Detroit ended up with both players and fans were left speechless.
Knicks fans were put through the wringer on NBA Draft night
We'd like to clarify to our loyal readers what the #Knicks are doing...but we have no idea right now pic.twitter.com/YIvMAJxIDp
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) June 24, 2022
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1540147091376222210
Explaining everything the Knicks did tonight pic.twitter.com/fLgLuRa3mN
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 24, 2022
Knicks have made 3 trades and I have no idea who they’re getting
— Talkin’ Knicks (@TalkinKnicks) June 24, 2022
Knicks Fans tonight pic.twitter.com/bdag8rto1p
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) June 24, 2022
Jalen Duren’s wingspan is so wide he could play for the Knicks and Pistons at the same time
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) June 24, 2022
Once the dust settled, that seem like a whole lot of to do for the Knicks to shed just $8 million in salary.
Whatever the Knicks are doing, they might want to leak it now before the torches and pitchforks converge on MSG.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) June 24, 2022
knicks fans rn pic.twitter.com/XLIAR7F1W4
— FanSided (@FanSided) June 24, 2022
Going to let it all play out tonight before I explode. But if nothing changes, EXPLODE I WILL. #Knicks
— Brandon Tierney (@BrandonTierney) June 24, 2022
New York’s rush to cut salary appears linked to their pursuit of Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson. The pressure will now hit hard with fans expecting a big move to justify possibly getting fleeced by the Pistons.