New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina’s fit with teams in draft asking price

Philadelphia 76ers: No. 33, 34

Trading with a talented divisional opponent like the Philadelphia 76ers is dangerous. They have two of the NBA’s most talented young players in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. If Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris re-sign, their core four rivals almost anyone in the League.

After another second round exit, though, the Sixers must make adjustments before reaching a dire spot in the development of “The Process.”

More scoring depth is needed behind the starters, as Philadelphia found little of it down the stretch and into the postseason. For seeking Ntilikina suitors, that is bad news for the New York Knicks.

Quality defenders are already in place, so adding another might be unnecessary. Sure, it is a luxury to add more, but taking offensive pressure off the starters is needed. Even more so if Simmons maintains a jumpshot-less arsenal.

Plus, the Knicks working with the Sixers seems unlikely. Not as much as Brooklyn, but if free agency’s superstars head to Madison Square Garden, two Eastern Conference teams vying for the playoffs make little sense to work as trade partners.

That’s unless general manager Elton Brand is willing to move one of these back-to-back picks in the early second round. If the Knicks present this scenario, maybe they become that unlikely match.