A trade down in the NBA Draft is not what most fans want for their respective teams. The best players get taken first so a trade down normally means a second-tier player and more draft picks. Not exactly a thrilling scenario on draft day. That is likely what the New York Knicks' fan base is thinking at the moment as the team continues to get linked to deals to move down the board for players outside of Justise Winslow or Emmanuel Mudiay. Their latest slew of draft visits certainly signify they are shopping the No.4 overall pick.
According to the New York Post, the Knicks are preparing to meet with Frank Kaminsky who pegged as a mid-round pick with some potential to be taken in the top ten. Kaminsky, who won the Naismith College Player of the Year award, originally met with Phil Jackson at the NBA Combine in Chicago and fully expressed his interest in heading to New York. The question is whether or not the Knicks need to get him at No.4 or whether they can move down a few more spots and still get the Wisconsin star. ESPN's Chad Ford originally pegged Kaminsky to go No.8 to the Detroit Pistons.
General manager Steve Mills already expressed interest in shopping the No.4 pick if it means the Knicks can get more draft options with the potential of a player getting tossed in as well. Further proof is their interest in Cameron Payne out of Murray State. ESPN's Ian Begley reported the Knicks are "serious" about considering Payne in a move down the board. Selecting the point guard would mean they passed up on the option to take either D'Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay, but likely acquired more picks in the process.
ProBasketballTalk.com's Brett Pollakoff is reporting that Jackson is feeling impatient regarding the rebuilding process. He told season-ticket holders that getting a good draft pick is nice, but he likes to rebuild through free agency for guaranteed talent. If trading the No.4 pick gets the team "established talent" then he might favor that option more. The Knicks have already been tied to certain trade deals for point guards or stars like Mason Plumlee or DeMarcus Cousins and offering up their top draft pick could get a deal done.
The Knicks certainly have some decisions to make considering they also have a fair amount of cap space to work with. They would not draft Mudiay or even Payne if they planned on offering a contract to Rajon Rondo. Justise Winslow might not go at No.4 if Jackson can convince LaMarcus Aldridge to leave Portland.