In typical New York Knicks fashion, the franchise appears to be sending out messages that somewhat contradict one another. While the team is reportedly seriously considering trading down from the No. 8 pick should LaMelo Ball or James Wiseman not be available with the pick, no team has been more heavily connected with Ball than New York.
Those connections include a report from Marc Berman of the New York Post on Monday, the same piece that included the report about the Knicks trading down, in which the Knicks are particularly high on just two players in the draft.
“One source senses the Knicks have Ball and Wiseman as two players they absolutely “love,” and haven’t been as smitten yet with any other prospect in a consensus weak draft.”
While being in love with Ball and Wiseman isn’t a direct contradiction to a desire to trade down, they are two opposing viewpoints. Ball will certainly not fall to the No. 8 pick and though Wiseman’s draft spot isn’t as locked in, falling to the Knicks seems unlikely.
Berman does mention a name the Knicks have also been enamored with as well that could be available further down in the draft.
“One player who’s been on their radar as a late-lottery guy is combo guard Tyrese Maxey, a one-and-doner from Kentucky.”
The latest DraftExpress mock draft has Tyrese Maxey as the No. 16 pick, right in the 12-15 range the Knicks are looking to trade down to.
The Knicks’ decision appears it will come to trading up to secure Ball, who they regard as the best point guard in the draft, or trading down and selecting Maxey while acquiring other assets. Knowing the Knicks’ past, it’s likely they’ll make the wrong decision.
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