Whether it be leading up to the 2023 NBA Draft or during the draft itself, the New York Knicks have the chance to shake up Thursday night’s events. New York not only doesn’t have a first-round pick but doesn’t have a second-round pick, either.
The Knicks sent a first-round pick to the Trail Blazers as part of the Josh Hart trade and missed out on the first-round pick via the Kristaps Porzingis trade thanks to the Mavericks’ tanking efforts, leaving New York empty-handed for the 2023 draft.
Although New York is without a pick, that could change. Or maybe the Knicks could go without a selection in the draft but make a trade for a star player, which would still affect how draft night would play out.
3 Ways the New York Knicks could shakeup the 2023 NBA Draft
3: Trade for a second-round pick
Out of the three moves listed, this one is more of a minor splash that the Knicks could make to affect the outcome of draft night. New York entered the 2022 NBA Draft with two picks at No. 11 and No. 42 but only walked away with second-round pick Trevor Keels. The same could happen again this year.
The Knicks have done their due diligence even without having a draft pick. Tom Thibodeau was spotted at the draft combine in Chicago and New York still held private workouts for prospects, including Fordham’s Khalid Moore and UConn’s Adama Sanogo. None of the players that the Knicks worked out are expected to go in the first round, meaning that New York could snag one of them in the second round or wait to sign them once the draft concludes.
The Hornets, Pacers, Spurs, Wizards, Thunder, Kings, and Grizzlies all have more than one second-round pick, meaning one of those teams is likelier to part ways with one of their picks if the Knicks come calling.