Now that the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery is in the books, the next step for teams not in the postseason is to look ahead to the NBA Combine and then the draft. It's a list of teams that includes the New York Knicks.
For the Knicks, they were not about of the NBA Draft Lottery festivities on Tuesday night. It marked the first time since 2013 that New York didn't have a pick that fell within the lottery. However, the Knicks still hold three picks within the top 32 of the NBA Draft. As a result, Leon Rose could be wheeling and dealing on draft night.
Here are two trades the Knicks could make in the 2021 NBA Draft now that the order is set in place.
Knicks receive: No. 14 pick
Warriors receive: No. 21 pick, No. 32 pick
The Golden State Warriors were on of the lottery winners on Tuesday. As part of the Andrew Wiggins – D'Angelo Russell trade from two seasons ago, the Warriors also received the Wolves' protected 2021 first-round pick. Minnesota needed this pick to land inside the top three to hang onto it. Alas, that didn't happen and now it's with the Warriors.
With this trade, the Warriors move back to collect a couple of picks after keeping and selecting someone at No. 7. The Knicks pounce on the opportunity to move up. With the No. 14 pick, New York selects James Bouknight, the smooth-as-butter guard from Connecticut.
It's no secret that the Knicks need a true scoring point guard for 2021. Immanuel Quickley may project better as a two-guard, and even if he still gets the run at point guard, he could come off the bench as the instant offense for New York.
Elfrid Payton was a disaster last year at the point guard position and Frank Ntilikina wasn't even in Tom Thibodeau's rotation. Derrick Rose is an unrestricted free agent as is Alec Burks. While it's likely the Knicks would like to bring one or both of them back, there are no guarantees.
Bouknight is one of the best pure scorers in this entire draft class. He thrives in the isolation, half-court sets and doesn't lack confidence whatsoever. He struggled from three-point range last season at Connecticut, but his workload was heavy and he was the go to option all year long.
Being from New York, specifically Brooklyn, certainly doesn't hurt and could help tie together a great draft day story.
Bouknight is projected to go as high as right near the top 10 and as low as the early 20's. In this scenario, the Knicks find a happy medium and a trade partner in the Warriors to move up and select Bouknight with the No. 14 overall pick.
Knicks receive: No. 9 pick, Buddy Hield
Kings receive: No. 19 pick, No. 21 pick, No. 32 pick, Frank Ntilikina
Why not take out two birds with one stone if the opportunity presents itself? Maybe this wouldn't be enough for the Kings to part ways with the No. 9 overall pick and Buddy Hield, but it isn't far off the mark.
In this trade, the Knicks send off all three of their top 32 picks but get No. 9 and Hield in return. Ntilikina gets the fresh start he might need and a new opportunity in Sacramento.
Buddy Hield's name has been swirled around in trade talks for two years now. The Kings backcourt is loaded with De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, making Hield even more expendable.
The Kings shake free of the last three years of Hield's 4-year, $94 million contract and scoop up plenty of draft capital in doing so.
With the No. 9 overall pick, the Knicks select Davion Mitchell, point guard from Baylor.
Mitchell is one of the most efficient guards in this entire class and he proved as much at Baylor.
The Bears lead guard shot 44% from three-point range last year, a welcoming sight for the Knicks. Mitchell is quick and shifty on the floor and loves setting up teammates. While the free-throw percentage is a bit puzzling (66%), it doesn't take away from how consistent Mitchell is on offense.
On the flip side, he was one of the best on-ball defenders in the country last season. He's a pest on defense and will get right up in the opposing guards space. Tom Thibodeau is already in love.
This pick gives the Knicks a point guard who can seemingly do it all and do it very well and gives them a sniper in Hield from the perimeter.
Despite not being in the lottery, the Knicks figure to be very busy on draft night, having three picks in the top 32. These two trades would go a long way in helping New York take the next step in the 2021 season.
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