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New York Knicks: Teams that may be open to trading 2017 NBA Draft pick

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) shoots the ball against Charlotte Hornets guard Brian Roberts (22) in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) shoots the ball against Charlotte Hornets guard Brian Roberts (22) in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic own the No. 6 and No. 25 overall selections in the 2017 NBA Draft. Orlando also has a roster that’s flush with young talent and in desperate need of an infusion of a veteran presence in the locker room.

In a move that would send Courtney Lee back to the team he started with, the New York Knicks could conceivably shed some salary and acquire both a point guard and a pick.

Lee is a two-way guard who could provide the ideal balance for Orlando, which currently starts Evan Fournier at the 2. He didn’t defend at the highest of levels in 2016-17, but his effort was consistent amidst constant changes in strategy and scheme.

Under head coach Frank Vogel, both Lee and forward Maurice Daly Ndour could find their niche as defensive-minded contributors with offensive value.

For New York, acquiring D.J. Augustin would mean filling the backup point guard role. Augustin has three years and $21,750,000 remaining on his current contract, which is a reasonable cost for a player who would fit a Jeff Hornacek system.

Stephen Zimmerman is a low-cost option to make the contracts and roster alignments work, as well as a skilled center.

If New York acquires a point guard with the No. 8 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, then trading for Augustin and the No. 25 pick would be a wise decision.

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