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

Knicks potential trade up candidate: Devin Vassell

The first name tied to the Knicks following the NBA lottery results was Florida State’s Devin Vassell. For a team looking for perimeter shooting and tenacity on defense, he might be the perfect fit for new coach Tom Thibodeau.

While many mocks put Vassell right in range for the Knicks with their 8th pick, reports have leaked out of San Francisco that the Warriors are high enough on the young wing to consider him with their second overall pick. That seems to be a bit of a reach and it would probably make more sense for Golden State to trade back to select Vassell, but draft boards are fluid and perhaps the 6-foot-5 wing quickly becomes a consensus top pick.

If the Knicks believe he is key to their rebuild, while I wouldn’t expect them to trade too high to select him, it’s possible they move up one or two spots to make sure they secure his services.

You never know when you are talking about a prospect who is going to turn into a future All-Star, complete bust, or something in-between. Perhaps years from now, the idea of the Knicks trading up two spots to select Vassell will seem like a steal based on his professional accomplishments.

Walt Perrin has an impressive track record identifying unique talent in the draft (see Donovan Mitchell). If he tells the rest of the front office they should do whatever it takes to select Vassell, the chief decision-makers should listen.