Knicks trade for Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley in draft

The New York Knicks found a guard who can shoot in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The New York Knicks are clearly not worried about the appearance of favoring players with CAA or Kentucky connections. After a shocking series of trades that somehow gave the Knicks two better picks – 25th and 33rd – in exchange for their original 27th and 38th picks, New York will end up with Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley, who was technically selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder at 25th overall.

New team president Leon Rose was busy during his first draft date in charge.

First, New York moved up from the 27th pick by sending that pick along with the 38th pick to Utah for the 23rd selection. Many thought they were making this trade as a precursor to another deal, but when Obi Toppin fell to them at eight, there was no need for them to use the 23rd pick to move up in the lottery.

But that’s not all. The Knicks then turned the 23rd pick into the 25th and 33rd picks in a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was announced the Knicks had selected Argentine point guard Leandro Bolmaro at 23, but he is part of the trade with the Wolves.

By adding Quickley, New York gains a much-needed shooting presence from the guard position. The SEC Player of the Year was reportedly a preferred pick of his former assistant coach Kenny Payne, who is now on Tom Thibodeau’s staff with the Knicks. The 6-foot-3 guard shot 42.8 percent from downtown during his sophomore season at Kentucky.

The Knicks used their 8th overall pick to select Obi Toppin, who is a client of CAA, the player agency where Leon Rose made his name.

As the Knicks finish up the draft, free agency is set to begin on Friday evening. New York can create over $42 million in cap space, depending on what they do with the players listed above.