Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Realistically ambitious 2017 NBA Mock Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 15, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 8
Next
Dec 20, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Festus Ezeli (31) poses for a photo against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Festus Ezeli (31) poses for a photo against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Trade

The likelihood of a trade between the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers is high enough that it’s worth exploring. If Tatum is the selection, however, the odds of New York trading for small forward Maurice Harkless take a nose dive.

A trade still occurs in this scenario, and it’s of a low enough risk that the Knicks can comfortably take a chance on a somewhat polarizing prospect further down the board.

By trading Festus Ezeli for Kyle O’Quinn, the Trail Blazers avoid what could have been a damaging scenario. Ezeli’s contract is only partially guaranteed, but he missed all of 2016-17 and O’Quinn is a far more affordable option than a free agency alternative at $4,087,500 due.

O’Quinn can serve the same defensive purpose as Ezeli with his defensive rebounding and shot-blocking, and has superior offensive value with his passing and offensive rebounding.

For New York, they could either keep Ezeli around for the final season of his contract at $7,733,000, or pay him his partially guaranteed $1 million and let him walk. More importantly, it would be receiving a late first-round draft pick with promise behind it.

One could argue that pick No. 20 wouldn’t be acquirable, but after Ezeli missed all 82 games and Meyers Leonard sharply declined in 2016-17, the Knicks have leverage.

Home/Knicks Draft