Three-team trade proposal sees Knicks gain from Pelicans’ obsession

The New York Knicks are hunting for a star this summer. That’s not a surprise to anyone, and they certainly have a deep war chest of assets to include in a deal. From young players to matching salaries to a long list of draft picks, the Knicks have plenty to offer to convince a team to trade their star.

Even so, they don’t have that one undeniable asset to offer, that young player or premium draft pick that will convince another team to give up a star they don’t want to trade. That would generally limit the Knicks to those stars who come available on the market. The latest news, however, may suggest another way for the Knicks to land their star.

Can the New York Knicks take advantage of the Pelicans’ obsession?

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that a Western Conference playoff contender was locked into pursuing a top 2-3 pick in order to draft point guard Scoot Henderson. That team? The New Orleans Pelicans, who are desperate to find their point guard of the future to pair with Zion Williamson. That desperation could be the opening that the Knicks need.

The Pels aren’t going to trade Zion, and with his injury history, his value is all over the place anyway. It will also be difficult for them to put together an enticing package using just their role players. That leaves them with one clear chip to trade: Brandon Ingram.

The Charlotte Hornets own the No. 2 pick in the draft, the best way for the Pelicans to ensure they will be able to draft Henderson. What if they aren’t enamored with Brandon Ingram? That’s the opening for the Knicks, who can step in to facilitate a deal and land themselves an All-Star wing.

Let’s break down the specifics of how such a three-team trade might look.