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New York Knicks: Team-specific 2017 NBA Mock Draft with trades 1.0

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) and Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) and Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray (5) and Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) battle for a loose ball during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray (5) and Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) battle for a loose ball during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Trade, Part I

The New York Knicks are looking to acquire a second first-round draft pick and the Portland Trail Blazers are on pace to pay a hefty sum in luxury taxes. As a team that made the playoffs as a No. 8 seed in 2016-17, Portland isn’t exactly enthused by that possibility.

The Trail Blazers could create some wiggle room by trading Maurice Harkless for Lance Thomas, and the Knicks could net the No. 20 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft in the process.

Harkless has been linked to the Knicks in trade rumors.

In this trade, the Trail Blazers would be saving $3,507,596 in 2017-18 by simply swapping Harkless for Thomas. It would save an additional $1,549,500 by not having to pay the No. 20 overall selection’s base salary in 2017-18.

That increases the figure to $5,057,096 saved, which thus creates a significant measure of relief for Portland against the luxury tax.

If the Trail Blazers are willing to give up the No. 15 overall selection instead of No. 20, they would save $5,478,896. That’s not a massive difference, but it’s big enough to warrant consideration by both Phil Jackson and Neil Olshey.

For the time being, landing Harkless and pick No. 20 would mean creating an opportunity to both build a stronger defense and move up with a draft-night trade.

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