NY Knicks: 3 trade up targets in the 2020 NBA Draft

Knicks potential trade up candidate: James Wiseman

At one time considered a consensus top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, big man James Wiseman saw his stock fall a bit after playing in only three college games due to NCAA recruiting violations.

However, the 7-foot-1, 240 pound center will still likely hear his name called within the first several picks of the draft. It’s doubtful that he would fall all the way to the Knicks at eight, which could open the door for a trade.

A recent report indicated New York is considering trading down in the draft, unless either LaMelo Ball or Wiseman were to fall into their laps.

With Mitchell Robinson already on their roster, it would seem strange for the Knicks to make a big investment in terms of draft capital on another big. Wiseman can do a lot of things, but stretching the floor isn’t his strength. Playing Robinson and Wiseman together wouldn’t make much sense.

But if the new front office believes Wiseman could be a star and they aren’t sold on Robinson, perhaps they decide to push their chips to the middle of the table and swap players.

Robinson will likely play out this season on the third year of a very team-friendly initial contract. But by next summer, the Knicks will need to decide if they want to invest long-term in the former second round pick, or else risk having him leave as an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

If the Knicks were to trade up to select Wiseman, it would be a shocking development, but a clear sign that they aren’t sold on Mitch.