Knicks Rumors: NY reluctant to trade RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson

Would the New York Knicks use RJ Barrett or Mitchell Robinson as a means to jump up in the draft?

In talking about a potential partner for the Golden State Warriors to trade back in the 2020 NBA Draft, ESPN insider Zach Lowe reports the New York Knicks probably don’t have the right package to make a deal work, assuming they wanted to, and they are reluctant to discuss RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson as trade options.

What this means: I am going to guess if you are a Knicks who read the headline and scrolled this far, you already have an opinion on whether the Knicks should entertain trade offers that include either Barrett or Robinson and you are hoping any rumor confirms that belief.

Unless the Knicks are making a move that significantly improves their roster – such as a trade for a bonafide superstar – it seems unlikely they would be willing to part with either of their cornerstone young players. This report confirms that sentiment. Although, it’s not entirely clear if Lowe is broadly stating the Knicks are reluctant to trade Barrett and Robinson, or in particular to a trade with the Warriors.

While we know the Knicks like LaMelo Ball, and even James Wiseman, neither prospect is projected to be the type of franchise-changing player that teams should be willing to pay a premium price to acquire. But that’s my opinion—who knows what individual teams think.

Trading up: Golden State holds the second overall pick in the draft, but they are clearly looking to acquire win-now talent to put around Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The Knicks don’t have that type of player to offer in trade.

"“A potential package from the Knicks of No. 8, Kevin Knox II, and two Dallas first-rounders doesn’t get it done,” Lowe writes. “And might not leave enough of the trade exception for another quality player. (New York has been reluctant to discuss RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, sources say.)”"

Lowe notes in his report that a potential package of the 8th pick, Kevin Knox, and the two first round picks owed from Dallas wouldn’t be enough for New York to entice the Warriors into making a move.

The best avenue for the Knicks to get involved in a potential Golden State trade would be to include a third team who can offer a veteran piece.