People in touch with Knicks think team wants to trade up in 2022 NBA Draft

The Knicks have the No. 11 and No. 42 picks in the 2022 NBA Draft.

They have three weeks to consider all of their options.

One option under consideration?

Trading up in the draft.

Several people in touch with the team last month say New York is open to a trade that would land the club a higher first-round pick.

It’s unclear which teams ahead of the Knicks would consider trading their picks. But Sacramento (fourth pick) and Portland (seventh pick) are two teams who are expected explore the possibility of trading down in the lottery.

One of New York’s biggest needs heading into the draft is a dynamic guard.

Purdue’s Jaden Ivey is among the top guards in the 2022 class. The Knicks, along with every other NBA team, were on hand at the CAA Pro Day to watch Ivey workout.

Ivey averaged 17.3 points per game on 35.0 percent from three-point land with Purdue last season.

The Knicks currently have eight players age 24 and under who could earn regular rotation minutes next season. They also have three first-round picks in the next two drafts. So the club has young players and assets to send out via trade if it chooses to go that route.

Coming off of a 37-45 season, the Knicks are at the beginning of a pivotal offseason under team president Leon Rose.

ETIENNE IN FOR WORKOUT:

Wichita State guard Tyson Etienne was among a group of players who worked out for the Knicks on Wednesday.

Fresno State’s Orlando Robinson Jr. and Oklahoma’s Jordan Goldwire were also part of the group.

Etienne was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey. He played AAUn basketball for the PSA Cardinals program and is the godson of former Knick Marcus Camby.

After his workout on Wednesday, Etienne called playing for the Knicks a "childhood dream."

“Being from New York City, to play for the Knicks is always an honor and a childhood dream. Just to be out there on the court, be in the facility, see everybody pay attention to you and to be able to compete with those guys was an amazing feeling,” Etienne said.

Tom Thibodeau was watching the workouts on Wednesday.

Etienne had previously worked out for the Nets, Hawks, Kings, Jazz and Celtics.

He said the Knicks workout stood out because of its competitive nature.

“Every drill is competitive,” he said. “(They) let some things go in terms of foul calls. They’re not going to just bail you out – you’ve got to fight, you’ve got to box out, you’ve got to complete the possessions. That really proves who is ready to play and I think that’s a great thing.”

Etienne was born in 1999 – the last year the Knicks reached the NBA Finals.

He attended games as an infant and also attended several games during the 2012-13 season, when Camby, his godfather, helped the Knicks win 54 games and an Atlantic Division title.

“(It was a) privilege to watch all that and experience the Garden in the playoffs,” he said.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen come June 23 but I’d be super appreciative to put on blue and orange.”

Etienne also credited his time with the PSA Cardinals for helping him reach the precipice of the draft.

“The PSA Cardinals saved my life, they changed my life. They put me in position to be right here in front of you. If I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t be here. I probably wouldn’t even be playing basketball any more,” Etienne said. “Everybody – from the moment I got there to even right now, they treat me as if I’m about to play a tournament tomorrow. Just their discipline, the way they treat their players, the way they take care of us, teach us real lessons about being a man, about being a player and being able to play at a high level.

“I think that you see that for, not just myself, but everybody that’s came through that program. Obviously I’m biased, I think it’s the best program in the country. But they really do a great job and I’m honored to be part of the brotherhood.”