The New York Knicks were disappointed after getting the number 4 pick in the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday and now Phil Jackson could look at making a trade with the pick, while players like Emmanuel Mudiay, Justise Winslow, Frank Kaminsky and Willie Cauley-Stein could be potential options for the team.
The Knicks came in with a 50 percent chance of being in the top three and a 20 percent chance of getting the number one pick, but neither of those things happened. The Lakers jumped from fourth to second and now the Knicks are at the number four pick and that is where the trade speculation may start. The Lakers, Sixers and Timberwolves are likely to sit tight, while Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports reports that the Knicks will consider trading out of the first round.
The team said that they were disappointed, with general manager Steve Mills saying that the team hooped to at least get into the top three. According to CBS Sports, Mills said the team is "open" to making a trade and they will be looking at "options" heading into the draft. Newsday's Al Iannazzone writes that the team likely will decide on Mudiay, Russell if he is available, or a trade as their most likely options.
Mudiay is an interesting option for the Knicks, as they are in great need of a point guard, but they also can't afford a bust pick. The team could trade the pick, but if they like Mudiay he could be worth a look at number four. D'Angelo Russell is also intriguing, but many scouts and predictions have him going at number three to Philly. Mudiay is just 19 and that gives him a leg up and he has been scouted by the Knicks this year.
Chad Ford at ESPN writes that Mudiay could be an option for the Knicks, putting him as the mock pick to New York with Russell going at three. Mudiay dealt with an ankle injury this year, but he played well while healthy in China and even had a strong game in the semifinals in his league, scoring 24 points and adding eight rebounds and four assists. Mudiay is 6-5, 200-pounds and he could be a strong prospect for the Knicks.
The Knicks have some hope on the horizon, as they are getting Carmelo Anthony back healthy and moving forward they also have a potential star in Langston Galloway. This season Galloway got extended time with the Knicks playing badly and he ended up making the All-Rookie team after averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. The Knicks are going after players like Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge and Goran Dragic in free agency and if they don't trade the pick, they should end up with a solid draft pick.
The Knicks have already said that they will consider trading the pick earlier in the season, as Phil Jackson was asked about the potential of falling out of the top three. In April Jackson said that the team will decide on what to do once the lottery plays out and that he said it's a possibility that a trade could happen. Yahoo sports and other websites now confirm that the Knicks will be looking at deals heading into the draft.
