The 2021 NBA Draft is fast approaching and the NY Knicks have their homework cut out for them.
There have been tons of rumors swirling about the Knicks’ aspirations to trade up (subscription needed) seeing how they’ve got 2 first-rounders and the 32nd overall pick in an incredibly talent-rich draft class.
Pick #32 could very well have the talent to make the team’s 10-man rotation once the season begins.
That’s how absolutely STACKED this draft class seems to be.
Having essentially 3 first-round picks in this specific class seems like a great problem to have, right?
Well, some would say yes…but here’s the issue.
Should the NY Knicks replace any of these players during the 2021 NBA Draft?
The Knicks obviously performed well beyond anyone’s expectations last year and are currently well ahead of the rebuild that was to come with the new coaching staff and front office last season.
So much so that the Knicks brought in guys like Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel likely to be trade chips for more draft capital in the future, but both of them ended up being key role players in the team’s playoff run.
The Knicks have a bunch of pending free agents that are all expecting big paydays in comparison to what they played for last season.
In a world where the Knicks can’t find the right trade-up partner, they may be forced to come out of this year’s draft with 3 guys who could all be deserving of a significant role on this team.
That said, there are some major pieces from last year’s team who could have played their last game as a Knick.
Here are 3 key players the team could be replaced during the 2021 NBA Draft.