SNY's Ian Begley will be responding to and breaking down answers to Knicks questions from readers. Here's the latest...
Begley's Mailbag: Can Knicks get No. 4 pick to land Jaden Ivey in NBA Draft?
Knicks have talked about offering multiple first-round picks in a package, according to those in touch with the Kings
Thanks for the question, Matt. I’d like to preface my answer by saying this: Things are always fluid this year. As of this moment (mid-morning on Tuesday), I believe that the Knicks can get up to No. 4 to select Jaden Ivey.
It would take a significant price. People in touch with Sacramento say that in the club’s conversations with New York, the Knicks have talked about offering multiple first-round picks in a package for the No. 4 pick. I don’t know which players were offered, but it wasn’t enough to lock a deal in.
Negotiations with the Kings for the No. 4 pick will probably extend into Thursday evening. Sacramento doesn’t have to trade the pick; why wouldn’t the Kings wait until the final hour to see what the best offer looks like?
For the Knicks, I think it will come down to whether they are willing to part with one of their homegrown young players (Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes) in addition to multiple picks. That’s a significant price to pay for an unproven player. Ivey’s talent is undeniable. But if you are giving up multiple picks and your own young player to get him, you put your job security at risk if it doesn’t work out.
Based on how the Knicks have operated under Leon Rose, I assume they are keeping all their options open ahead of Thursday’s draft. That includes trading up, making the pick at No. 11, trading back, or trading out of the draft.
ESPN reported that teams would be surprised if the Knicks didn’t move back or out of the draft entirely. But I’d be surprised if New York was leaning so heavily in one direction with more than 48 hours left until the draft.
Until the Kings stop taking calls, I assume the Knicks will keep checking in on what it would take to trade for the No. 4 pick.
If they can’t get to No. 4, where do the Knicks turn to at lead guard? Indiana has had conversations with New York about Malcolm Brogdon, as ESPN first reported. But some members of the Pacers came away from those recent conversations with the impression that the Knicks were exploring several options at lead guard; Brogdon – signed through 2025 – is among the options. But those Pacers people didn’t get the impression that Brodgon was a top option for New York.
The New York Post first reported that Brogdon is on the Knicks’ radar.