The New York Knicks are coming into the draft with the fourth pick and a trade could be an option, as the Suns are shopping an Eric Bledsoe trade package that would send the point guard to the Knicks and this comes as the team has been connected to names like Trey Lyles, Justise Winslow, Kevon Looney, Willie Cauley-Stein, D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay.
The Knicks were jumped in the lottery by the Lakers to end up with the fourth pick and Phil Jackson has said publicly that the team would consider trading the pick. ESPN New York reported on Tuesday that there is a "small" chance NY trades its pick in the draft on Thursday night. The team had its sights set on Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor coming into the draft, but those players will likely be off the board by the time the Knicks pick.
The Suns have been looking to make moves as they try and rebuild and reports have the team shopping Bledsoe, who just signed a contract with the team last summer. According to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, the Suns have "had talks" with the Knicks about a potential deal with Bledsoe that would involve the number four pick and the number 13 pick in the first round for Phoenix. The Knicks reportedly have considered trading down, as they are looking at players in the draft that are considered mid-round players.
Deveney writes that the Suns are going to "continue" exploring deals with Bledsoe apart from the Knicks and that it could extend into the summer if a trade doesn't happen before the draft. Bledsoe signed a five year, $70 million contract last year and he could be a backup target for the Knicks if things with Rajon Rondo or Goran Dragic do not happen on the free agent market. The Knicks reportedly have worked out players like Kevon Looney, Frank Kaminsky, Trey Lyles and Willie Cauley-Stein and those names could be options in the middle of the first round.
The Knicks have reportedly talked with the Suns about a deal, but as things stand now, nothing is close to happening. The Suns traded Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas last season and that had many thinking that Bledsoe would be staying no matter what. Bledsoe may not be a good fit in the triangle, but the Knicks could try and swing a three team deal if the Suns remain interested in making a move. If the Knicks lock in in Looney or Lyles or one of those players in the mid-first round, making a trade makes a lot of sense and it could help bring the team a veteran.
Early mock drafts had the Knicks taking Justise Winslow and if they sit at the fourth pick, there is a good chance they make that selection. Kaminsky had a workout with the team and he is considered a mid-round pick, while Stein is falling down some draft boards due to past injuries. According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, the team has been "enamored" with Lyles during workouts and his status could play into trading down for the Knicks. Jackson reportedly thinks Lyles is a good fit for the triangle offense and he said the team is committed to that scheme.
