The New York Knicks currently hold the number 8 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, but The Athletic’s Zach Harper believes they are one of the teams they could trade for a higher pick.
“A lot of people across the NBA believe the Knicks want to have more of an impact in this draft than the eighth pick would allow,” Harper wrote.
LaMelo Ball is reportedly the team’s main focus, although the team may also trade to ensure they get one of Isaac Okoro or Killian Hayes.
Marc Berman of the New York Post previously reported that Ball was the team’s main point guard, followed by Hayes.
The team could definitely use a location upgrade after getting minimal production from Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina last year. Ball also represents a “splash” as the biggest name in a class that has many uncertainties.
Brother of the New Orleans Pelicans’ Lonzo Ball guard, LaMelo has been a high profile player since his freshman year of high school and currently has over five million followers on Instagram. He also has plenty of talent on the pitch, averaging 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists last season for the Illawarra Hawks in the Australian NBL.
He could join RJ Barrett in an exciting young backcourt for New York.
While Ball is unlikely to fall to number 8, Harper has listed the Minnesota Timberwolves (# 1), Golden State Warriors (# 2), Chicago Bulls (# 4) and Atlanta Hawks (# 6) as teams that could be traded.
SNY’s Ian Begley also reported that the Warriors have maintained “close contact with players who are looking to 8-10”.
It could create some interesting business possibilities ahead of the November 18th draft.