Trade No. 1: New York buys into this year’s top prospects
The first trade that I’m going to propose here makes sense, but I’m unsure how likely it is to happen. Despite that, I’m going to propose this as I would want this trade to happen, and it is based on information that I have seen, so here it goes:
Before you all crucify me and say that this is an overpay, it is not. The No. 11 overall pick is not that valuable. The majority of the NBA draft is a gamble. Almost every year, you’ll find a guy picked in the top 3 who does not live up to the hype.
The Knicks would receive the No. 4 overall pick and would get to draft a top talent to pair with the rest of their young core, while also taking Justin Holiday back. Holiday is a solid defender who would return to New York, where he seemed to really embrace the fans well. The Knicks could also move Holiday again or release him due to his expiring contract, which would help their logjam at the wing.
Here, the real prize is getting one of the “dream prospects” in this draft class in Jabari Smith Jr., Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, or Jaden Ivey. The latter would fit in well with New York and is an excellent defender. He has the potential to become a similar player to Ja Morant and is a human highlight film. For my money, I’m going to guess that the selection would be Ivey.
The Kings would bring Alec Burks back to Sactown while gaining draft capital so that they could make their move for an established star.
I could have put Randle here for Sacramento, but the Kings probably want someone better in exchange for a top five draft pick and in this scenario, they would have an increased amount of draft capital to make a trade. Burks also adds spot-up shooting, which Sacramento desperately needs.
I do not see this trade happening, but it could be mutually beneficial. If the Knicks can acquire the fourth pick, it would show a sense of direction in a rebuild that is already decently far along.