The NBA Draft lottery race has the Minnesota Timberwolves leading the NY Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, LA Lakers and Orlando Magic as the season gets close to ending and the teams are likely targeting Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay as the best players coming out and it will be a battle to the bottom for the number one overall pick.
The Knicks have been leading the standings for most of the season, but after winning against the Hawks, the team now is behind the Timberwolves. Minnesota has 16 wins heading into the final game and the Knicks have 17 wins after beating Atlanta. The team with the most lottery balls has the best chance to win the top overall pick, but it doesn't always play out that way.
While Knicks fans are likely disappointed that they will not be the worst team, it could play into their favor. There are at least two players who appear to be possible number ones in Towns and Okafor and that means if the Knicks get the second pick, they will be in good position to get a great prospect. Adding to that is Russell, which makes the top three picks all pretty strong prospects for teams.
The Knicks have scouted Russell this season along with Towns and Okafor and they could consider the Ohio State star if they get the number three pick. Pro Basketball Talk reports that the Knicks could consider trading their pick, but right now that looks unlikely. The Knicks may still end up with the top pick, but now that is out of their control, as the Wolves can finish the season as the worst team without any more wins.
Some Knicks fans are really mad at this and while the team hasn't been losing on purpose, the roster makeup has put them in position to be this way. The win against the Hawks is nice for a night, but now the team may miss out on Towns or Okafor. The team has a game lead on the Sixers and that means they really need to lose their final game to ensure they are at least in second place. The Sixers have a solid lead on the Lakers, who are four games up in the fourth spot over the Magic heading into the last days of the season.
The Knicks are also planning on being active in free agency and they likely will go after some of the top names on the market. The team is projected to have over $30 million in cap space and that means they have the potential to fit multiple players in this offseason for Carmelo Anthony. Goran Dragic and Rajon Rondo are expected to be targets, but Pro Basketball Talk reports that Phil Jackson may target the younger set of free agents.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Towns and Okafor are in for the draft and Russell is declaring now as well. Russell comes in with a strong season behind him for the Buckeyes and he could be the pick for the Knicks if they end up in third or even in the second spot.
Check here for more on the players declaring for the draft and the NBA lottery standings.
