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New York Knicks: 3 NBA draft prospects worth trading down for

By Jeffrey Bellone

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - MARCH 9: Kira Lewis Jr. #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dribbles down the court during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on March 9, 2019 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Crimson Tide 82-70. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - MARCH 9: Kira Lewis Jr. #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dribbles down the court during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on March 9, 2019 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Crimson Tide 82-70. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Cole Anthony, 2020 NBA Draft prospect. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2) Potential trade down target for the Knicks: Cole Anthony

The Knicks need a point guard and local product Cole Anthony could be the best prospect for the job. While it’s possible he is drafted higher up the board, there is a good chance that he drops. Anthony entered this past season as a seemingly sure-thing lottery pick. However, a partially torn meniscus in his right knee has depressed his stock a bit.

We know the Knicks did extensive homework on Anthony during the college season. What we don’t know is if that means the new front office, which has since added scouting guru Walt Perrin to the staff, views him high enough to target him with their lottery pick.

If it becomes clear that Anthony is likely to fall back in the first round, he could be a great buy-low prospect with top-end potential. The 6-foot-3 guard is an aggressive scorer who can score in a variety of ways with the basketball in his hands. Anthony would give the Knicks a real alpha in their lineup, which has been missing since another Anthony was shipped out of New York (apologies to Kristaps Porzingis).

Last season, playing for North Carolina, Cole ranked second in isolation scoring, fifth in transition scoring, and sixth in putting the ball in the hoop off the pick-and-roll. Whether he is creating shots for himself, or dishing to his teammates (he averaged 4 assists last season), he knows how to generate offense and dictate pace.

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