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Knicks Rumors: Designing an ideal trade for Mike Budenholzer

By Maxwell Ogden

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks coaches against the Sacramento Kings on February 10, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks coaches against the Sacramento Kings on February 10, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee, WI – FEBRUARY 2: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 2, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI – FEBRUARY 2: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 2, 2018 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Untouchables

The New York Knicks are likely going to be asked to provide compensation for Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer. Thankfully for general manager Scott Perry, the list of untouchables is about as obvious as can be.

The Atlanta Hawks want compensation in the form of draft picks, but the Knicks will have clear guidelines on what they are and aren’t willing to part with.

New York won’t give up any of its players, which should be a given from the start. The real question is whether or not the Knicks would be willing to part with a first-round draft pick, which Atlanta will likely ask it to do.

It’s certainly a fair request, but the Knicks must make it known that their 2018 first-round draft pick is entirely off limits—and there’s no reason to ask twice.

Even if Kristaps Porzingis weren’t expected to miss significant time in 2018-19, the Knicks desperately need help. Porzingis, Frank Ntilikina, and Tim Hardaway Jr. form an ideal core, and Trey Burke and Emmanuel Mudiay have upside, but New York simply doesn’t have enough talent.

Throw in the fact that the pre-Phil Jackson Knicks had a habit of trading first-round draft picks, and giving up the 2018 selection for Budenholzer isn’t an option.

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