The New York Knicks are reportedly open to trading their first-round Draft pick if an interested team is able to offer them a significant deal with assets.
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The Knicks are expected to finish the season with the worst record in the NBA, and that would give them a 25 percent chance of landing the No.1 pick in the 2015 Draft.
While it guarantees them at least a top-four pick, they are fully aware that it is the most valuable asset that they will have in their favour come the off-season.
Team president Phil Jackson is expected to make big moves in free agency, but it is reported that he might be willing to discuss trading their first-round pick in order to obtain ready-made talent.
In an interview on ESPN New York’s “The Robin Lundberg Show,” ESPN NBA reporter Brian Windhorst said the Knicks are at the very least considering their options when it comes to trading their first-round pick.
Specifically, Windhorst said the Knicks are looking into “opportunities” to see “what they could possibly get if they trade their draft pick.”
New York will know what pick they have by May when the draft lottery takes place, and it certainly makes sense for them to gauge the market in order to assess whether or not it is worth bringing in additional talent that could potentially fit in better to their system.
As per NBA rules, they are unable to trade their pick prior to making a selection, but they are able to agree to select a player for a team and then trade the player after making the pick.
In contrast, there is an argument that the franchise needs to think long-term and add a key player on the roster that can not only help Carmelo Anthony now, but potentially take over the mantle when he moves on.
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