The New York Knicks will select 8th in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The New York Knicks, who haven’t won the NBA lottery since 1985, will have to wait at least one more year for luck to fall on their side, as it was revealed on Thursday that they will select 8th in the upcoming NBA Draft.
New York had a 9% chance of landing the top pick. With the sixth best odds heading into the lottery, they had a 20.6% chance of falling to 8th.
It’s unclear if general manager Scott Perry will still be with the organization by the time the draft comes on October 16. Perry is considered a top candidate for the open GM position in Sacramento after Vlade Divac stepped down last week. The New York Post speculated that recently-hired head of college scouting Walt Perrin could take over for Perry if he departs.
Perrin brings an impressive draft resume to New York as a former influential voice in the Utah Jazz’ front office in helping them identify and select hidden gems such as Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
The Knicks will also select late in the first round (27th overall) with the pick they acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Marcus Morris trade. Their own second round pick is due to Philadelphia from a draft day trade by Phil Jackson in 2015, but New York gains Charlotte’s second rounder (38th overall) from the Willy Hernangomez trade.
Now that we know where the Knicks will be picking, plenty of speculation will follow on whether team president Leon Rose plans on using the pick or trading it, either higher up to chase a player like LaMelo Ball, or back to secure extra assets, or perhaps he will use it in a larger package for a veteran star.
For now, let’s focus on who the Knicks could select assuming they keep their pick.