NY Knicks: 10 examples why NY should NOT trade up in 2021 NBA Draft

NY Knicks Examples #1 and 2 — Saddiq Bey and Tyrese Maxey

Last year, we saw two really impressive rookies go at #19 and #21.

Saddiq was taken at #19 to the Detroit Pistons, which proved to be an absolute steal.

As a rookie, Bey averaged 12.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 40% from the field and 38% from three, earning a spot on the All-NBA Rookie First Team.

His field goal percentage was lackluster, but with limited veteran talent on the team, the Pistons took advantage of that by letting Bey get as many shots up as he wanted to speed up his development.

Bey showed some impressive offensive potential throughout the season, hitting six threes in the first quarter of a game against the Cavaliers, and then pouring in a career-high 30 points, going a perfect 7 for 7 from the three, in a win against the Celtics.

Shortly after, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Tyrese Maxey at #21, another player who, when given the minutes, showed ridiculous upside in his first year.

Maxey didn’t get nearly as many minutes as Bey, seeing as he split time with Seth Curry, Danny Green, Furkan Korkmaz, and Matisse Thybulle (a player I’ll touch on shortly).

In Maxey’s first year, he averaged 8 points and 2 assists per game, shooting 46% from the field and 30% from three, but when given more minutes, he showed the ability to take over a game.

In Maxey’s first start of the season, he poured in a monster 39 points, one shy of Allen Iverson’s rookie scoring record for the 76ers. At just 20 years old, Maxey proved he can be a legitimate scoring option off the bench for a playoff-caliber team, and then some.

Hypothetically, the Knicks drafting both Bey and Maxey would be nothing short of spectacular.

The fact two players of this caliber can be had in the #19-21 range is not only worth noting but is reason enough not to trade that potential to move up a handful of spots.