Breaking Down the Knicks’ 2022 NBA Draft
The New York Knicks are in a state of turmoil right now, a state of turmoil that is fueled by a lack of success this season. Fans have taken to social media to express their discontent with the draft. Head coach Leon Rose seems to have a plan to make up for the mistakes made last offseason, a plan that includes unloading contracts and clearing cap space.
Kemba Walker
The Knicks traded away a first-round pick this year to get Kemba Walker. In return, they got four second-rounders and a guard. They also signed Dominican guard Jean Montero, who played in the Overtime Elite league. He went undrafted in this trade, so he’s an interesting depth piece. The Knicks also traded their No. 13 pick to get the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
The Knicks didn’t get Ivey or Sharpe, but they made a bunch of trades to get other players they needed. They traded a first-round pick to the Thunder for French center Ousmane Dieng and sent two second-round picks and a protected first-round pick to the Pistons in exchange for Kemba Walker. This deal also freed up cap space for the Knicks to make trades for other players, perhaps a guard.
Jalen Duren
Using the fifth overall pick to land Jalen Duren from the Knicks is an obvious move, but there are other ways for New York to use their pick to get him. One of those ways is to trade for a center. This trade will give the Pistons a center they can develop.
The Knicks got some good assets in return for Duren. The team was able to add two first-round picks and a third-rounder, which was a major plus. They also traded their No. 11 pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for three future first-round picks. AJ Griffin, Malaki Branham, and Ochai Agbaji were all available in the trade. But they did lose two second-rounders to make the deal happen. However, it was still a great deal for Duren and for the Knicks.
Keegan Murray
The rumors circulating around Murray’s possible trade to the Knicks have been fairly consistent for some time. While the Knicks are among the favorites to land Murray, the Timberwolves are also rumored to be in the mix. The Timberwolves have reportedly offered a “compelling package” to get Murray, but have yet to publicly reveal what that package contains. Meanwhile, an unnamed Eastern team is said to be interested in three first-round picks and a “desirable” young player for Murray. In addition to those rumors, the Knicks have been linked to Murray’s possible trade since they have acquired him this summer.
While the Knicks are willing to trade for Murray, the Sacramento Kings aren’t willing to trade their fourth-round pick for him, which is their own. This puts the Kings in an excellent position to acquire Murray, but they can’t expect a large compensation for their pick. Other teams might want the pick or the player instead.
Max Christie
The New York Knicks have made three separate trades that could give them a great chance at landing one of the top draft picks in the next two years. They were able to get out of the first round of the 2019 draft, and now have cap space to spend on players. They are reportedly interested in free agent point guard Jalen Brunson, and will try to put together a package for him.
The Knicks entered the draft with the 11th pick, but reports suggested that they were trying to trade up to get a player in the top five. They were also interested in Duke’s Shae Sharpe and Purdue’s Jaden Ivey. However, the other teams were also interested in them and they ended up trading down.
Isaiah Mobley
The New York Knicks have traded three picks for Isaiah Mobley in the 2022 NBA draft, with two of them going to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have been in need of big men, and this trade helps them fill that void. Isaiah Mobley is a power forward with a good NBA frame. He can switch onto some wing players, and he can be a good rim protector who keeps the ball moving. He is expected to be a backup big in the league.
Mobley stands at 6’10” and has decent dribble scoring ability. He also has excellent ball distribution skills and has the ability to space the floor well. However, he can struggle scoring in traffic and could use some additional work on his midrange shooting. His upside is still unproven, and he will be older than most players in his draft class.
