The New York Knicks are coming into the draft with the number four pick in the draft and names like Trey Lyles, Emmanuel Mudiay, Justise Winslow and D'Angelo Russell have come up as potential targets for Phil Jackson and this comes as the Boston Celtics could be a trade option for NY, as they reportedly like Willie Cauley-Stein and will consider moving up to take him.
The Knicks got jumped by the Lakers in the draft lottery and they now have the fourth pick after coming in with the second worst record in the NBA. According to Marc Stein at ESPN, the Knicks will consider trading the pick, but the team also is eyeing a number of players if they sit tight, including Justise Winslow, Emmanuel Mudiay, D'Angelo Russell and Trey Lyles. Russell has been put to the 76ers in most mock drafts with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor as the top two picks, which could leave the Knicks to take Mudiay, as he is also a target.
The Lakers reportedly like Mudiay and Russell, but they may not pass up the chance to take either Okafor or Towns. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported over the weekend that the Knicks "could select" Trey Lyles with the fourth overall pick in the draft. The Kentucky big man has not had as much attention as Towns, Okafor or Winslow, but Isola writes that team sources have said that Lyles could be the pick if the team sits tight.
Pro Basketball Talk writes that if the Knicks really like Lyles, a trade down could be an option for New York. Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, LA Clippers, Miami Heat and Celtics could be interested in trading up and the Knicks may take those offers if they like Lyles, as PBT writes that most project him as a "mid-first round pick" and "not a lottery" player. The Knicks reportedly like all of the presumptive top picks in Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell along with Mudiay and they likely will consider taking one of the three if they remain on the board at number four.
Lyles could be an option for the Knicks with a trade down and a partner could be the Celtics, as they have two first round picks this year. According to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England, the Celtics are interested in trading up for Willie Cauley-Stein and they have the arsenal of draft picks to make a move. The Celtics had a strong season after making the playoffs amid a rebuilding plan and now adding a top prospect could help push the team forward even more under Brad Stevens.
The Knicks are expected to spend in free agency as well and players like Greg Monroe, Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic, Brandon Knight and Marc Gasol could be potential targets. The team reportedly will have over $20 million to spend and that could be spread out over a few players. Carmelo Anthony needs a better supporting cast and if the team adds a top draft prospect, getting some free agents will only help push things in the right direction after a woeful season.
