Let’s be clear, the Knicks should not trade this pick. Trading away 1st round picks is exactly what got them into this mess. Isiah traded away picks that turned into Gordon Hayward, Lamarcus Aldridge and Joakim Noah.
But who cares about the past? Carmelo is aging and we need to win now!
– Knicks Fans
Well, according to the incredibly reliable Adrian Wojnarowski, those Knicks fans may get their wish.
At No. 4, expect that the Knicks draft pick will be very available in trade talks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 20, 2015
In true Knicks fashion, they are strongly considering trading the pick. Since I can’t stop the inevitable, I figured I could at least check out the grave the Knicks are digging for me.
Nuggets
| Knicks | Nuggets |
|---|---|
| PG Ty Lawson | Knicks 2015 1st Rounder (#4) |
| PF Kenneth Faried |
At least giving the Nuggets draft picks is something the Knicks are used to. The Knicks traded their 2014 1st and the right to swap 2016 1sts (jokes on you Masai!) as part of the Carmelo trade. So why not keep the good times rolling?
Lawson is a borderline all-star who can score and dish. His 9.6 APG last year were good for 3rd in the NBA, trailing only Chris Paul and John Wall. He’s an extremely quick point guard who can get to the basket, something the Knicks are sorely lacking. Lawson scored 15.2 PPG last year, making him a good secondary scorer, in addition to his playmaking abilities.
In Faried, the Knicks would be adding something they don’t have. Rebounding and tenacity. While he doesn’t bring much offense the table, Faried is instant energy. His nickname is the “Manimal” for a reason. His high motor and junkyard dog mentality would be a good fit next to Carmelo.
The Knicks pick up two young starters in exchange for the 4th pick. Lawson will turn 28, while Faried will be 26 at the start of next season. However, they’re combined salary of $23,640,450 would cut into the Knicks’ cap room this summer. They may be able to add another solid player such as Robin Lopez or Danny Green in that price range. Then they could use that core to convince pray for Kevin Durant to come to New York. They’d probably end up overpaying for Joe Johnson instead.
| Knicks Lineup '15-'16 | Knicks Lineup '16-'17 |
|---|---|
| PG Ty Lawson | PG Ty Lawson |
| SG Tim Hardaway Jr. | SG |
| SF Carmelo Anthony | SF Carmelo Anthony |
| PF Kenneth Faried | PF Kenneth Faried |
| C Robin Lopez | C Robin Lopez |
Next year, the team is good enough to make the playoffs in the East. If they somehow convince Durant to come to New York, they’re a championship contender. Otherwise, its probably going to be a second round exit.
Celtics
| Knicks | Celtics |
|---|---|
| Celtics 2015 1st Rounder (#16) | Knicks 2015 1st Rounder (#4) |
| Clippers 2015 1st Rounder (#28) | |
| Nets 2016 1st Rounder |
The Celtics have a lot of draft pick ammo thanks to Danny Ainge’s timely unloading of veteran players. Over the next four drafts, the Celts hold a potential 11 first round picks. That is incredible given the recent trend of emphasizing value on first round selections. The reasons are obvious – you can get key players for low salaries.
At this point, the Celtics have already amassed a core of young players they want to build around. Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, Jae Crowder and James Young is a great start. Given that base, they now have the opportunity to package their picks for impact players. In fact, Sherrod Blakely, of CSNNE, is reporting they are interested in moving up for Cauley-Stein. In this scenario, Ainge reaches into the cupboards to grab a difference maker on defense for Brad Stevens to play with.
The Knicks choose to go with quantity over quality, due to their widespread lack of talent. Despite the drop, I actually like the depth in this year’s class. Maybe a top-10 talent slips to them at #16. If not, they can likely choose between Trey Lyles or Bobby Portis.
At #28 they can pick up a high risk/reward guy such as Christian Wood, Robert Upshaw or Chris McCullough. The Nets pick next year will likely be around the 12-17 range depending what they do this offseason. That’s another quality young player.
This trade allows the Knicks to pick up multiple young players that can be starters or key rotational players over the next 5-6 years. With three players locked in on rookie deals, they can afford to land impact free agents and make a run at the playoffs. However, they’d be trading a potential all-star to do so.
Timberwolves
| Knicks | Timberwolves |
|---|---|
| PG Ricky Rubio | Knicks 2015 1st rounder (#4) |
| SG Kevin Martin | PG Jose Calderon |
| C Nikola Pekovic |
Though it seems inevitable they end up taking one of the bigs, the T’Wolves have been dancing with the idea of taking a guard. Rumors are 
flying that the are seriously considering Mudiay and Russell with the top pick. In this scenario, the Timberwolves go into full rebuild mode and get their center and point guard of the future. Mudiay, Lavine, Wiggins, and Okafor/Towns would be a great young core to build around.
On the flip side, the Knicks pick up three starters, while still maintaining cap room to add one more role player. Rubio is an obvious upgrade over Calderon, while Martin and Pekovic would step in right away as starters. Not the biggest fan of this team as lack of defense is a major concern. Nonetheless they are likely a playoff contender in the East, if Rubio and Pekovic can stay healthy.
Kings
| Knicks | Kings |
|---|---|
| Kings 2015 1st rounder (#6) | Knicks 2015 1st rounder (#4) |
| SG Ben McLemore | SG Tim Hardaway Jr. |
The Kings are rumored to be interested in both Willie Cauley-Stein and Emmanuel Mudiay. It’s no secret that Mudiay is the better all-around talent. For George Karl’s system to work they need a point guard who can push the ball. That is where Mudiay excels. He is a big guard that can thrive in an up-tempo offense. The Kings have long coveted a starting point guard, having made inquiries for Ricky Rubio in the past. They may be willing to move up to lock up a franchise lead man.
If the Knicks aren’t completely sold on Mudiay (which they should be) then moving down two slots and getting Winslow or Cauley-Stein isn’t the worst option. As a reward, they upgrade from a bench shooter in Hardaway Jr. to a long-term starter in McLemore. I can see McLemore developing into one of the better starting shooting guards in this league. Adding him and Willie Trill to the starting lineup will help the defensive side of the ball. The Knicks pick up two long-term starters, currently on their rookie deals. Plus there’s still room to add two free agents later in the offseason.
Hornets
| Knicks | Hornets |
|---|---|
| Hornets 2015 1st rounder (#9) | Knicks 2015 1st rounder (#4) |
| PG Kemba Walker | SG Tim Hardaway Jr. |
| SG Lance Stephenson |
The Hornets realized two things this season. Al Jefferson is unlikely to stay healthy for a full season and the Lance Stephenson project failed. They are at best a bottom tier playoff team. In this trade they clean house, getting rid of the troublesome Stephenson and overpaid Walker. They can move up to #4 and pick their replacement for Kemba. Tim Hardaway Jr. is also another good rotational piece for a rebuilding team.
Of course, I don’t see Michael Jordan making this trade. He loves Kemba Walker. It’s like the way your Dad treats his 1980 Corvette. It means much more to him than its worth on the open market.
As for the Knicks, they bring in talent without having to move down too far in the draft. At #9 they can hope Porzingis, Hezonja or Winslow falls to them. If not, they can safely scoop up the coveted Trey Lyles at this spot. Lance Stephenson is a risk, there is no doubt about that. Bringing him to New York will either do great or terrible things. If he can somehow turn it around in his hometown, the Knicks will have picked up an attacking, do-it-all guard. If not, we may not see Stephenson donning blue and orange for long.
The real prize for moving down is Kemba Walker. Madison Square Garden is nothing new to the Bronx native. Walker may be most famous for his game winning step-back jumper in the Big East tournament at the Garden. He seems to shine on the big stage, which is not an easy trait to find. Kemba’s ability to get into the lane, and hit clutch shots, will help the Knicks offense. Most importantly, his never say die mentality can help change the Knicks’ culture.
This team would rely alot on Stephenson’s turnaround. If he doesn’t they are likely stuck with another J.R. Smith situation. It’s a big gamble, but if the Cavs can do it, why can’t the Knicks? Oh wait…