There are a bunch of names in the 24 to 31 that the Knicks could really try to fill.
I don't have a good feel for any of this and don't even know what role specifically they would need to target as they got most of them covered'ish.
Probably need a 3rd backup center, you never know with Mitch situation. Could always use a really good ISO ball handler, downhill guy off bench. Rugged, lateral moving PF who could play small ball and learn 3point shooting over time. Another 3&D guy who could marinate over a couple of years? Knicks got options to take best available or trade out to save on second apron? Brock Aller is in a lather already and he and Walt been locked in a room since March Madness.
Any of the Michigan guys if they fall? Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, Aday Mara
Rugged bigs to Cs? Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, Malachi Moreno, Henri Veesaar, Jayden Quaintance if he fall and needs more time to heal, Luigi Suigo
Another another backup PG more in the mold of GTA? Tyler Tanner, Ebuka Okorie
Chandler@ 5/13/2026 10:42 AM
I hope they focus on mental makeup as much as measurables. Smart, unselfish, resilience, hate to lose type
Knixkik@ 5/13/2026 11:08 AM
martin wrote:There are a bunch of names in the 24 to 31 that the Knicks could really try to fill.
I don't have a good feel for any of this and don't even know what role specifically they would need to target as they got most of them covered'ish.
Probably need a 3rd backup center, you never know with Mitch situation. Could always use a really good ISO ball handler, downhill guy off bench. Rugged, lateral moving PF who could play small ball and learn 3point shooting over time. Another 3&D guy who could marinate over a couple of years? Knicks got options to take best available or trade out to save on second apron? Brock Aller is in a lather already and he and Walt been locked in a room since March Madness.
Any of the Michigan guys if they fall? Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, Aday Mara
Rugged bigs to Cs? Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, Malachi Moreno, Henri Veesaar, Jayden Quaintance if he fall and needs more time to heal, Luigi Suigo
Another another backup PG more in the mold of GTA? Tyler Tanner, Ebuka Okorie
I’m not expecting any of the Michigan bigs to be there. All seem to be flying up the board. A lot of directions to go here. Let’s pretend the Knicks keep both 24 and 31 and draft players.
With 24 I’d try to go with wing shooting or shot creation. Meleek Thomas (can shoot and create), Isaiah Evans (reminds me a little of Tim Hardaway Jr) and Karaban (Hauser clone) stand out as players who can all shoot and maybe offer a little extra. Whether it’s shot creation or simply being a winner like Karaban.
With 31 im trying to draft a big that can be a cheap 3 or 4 year second round exception contract to serve as Mitchell Robinson’s backup when he’s out or limited. We need that depth and an upgrade over Hukporti. Tarris Reed, Zuby Ejiofor, and Reuben Chinyelu all stand out as bigs who can rebound, defense, and finish around the basket but are too limited to be first round picks. At 31 we also have the benefit of taking a player with a first round grade that falls. That’s a great spot to be in.
martin@ 5/13/2026 11:10 AM
Knixkik wrote:
martin wrote:There are a bunch of names in the 24 to 31 that the Knicks could really try to fill.
I don't have a good feel for any of this and don't even know what role specifically they would need to target as they got most of them covered'ish.
Probably need a 3rd backup center, you never know with Mitch situation. Could always use a really good ISO ball handler, downhill guy off bench. Rugged, lateral moving PF who could play small ball and learn 3point shooting over time. Another 3&D guy who could marinate over a couple of years? Knicks got options to take best available or trade out to save on second apron? Brock Aller is in a lather already and he and Walt been locked in a room since March Madness.
Any of the Michigan guys if they fall? Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, Aday Mara
Rugged bigs to Cs? Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, Malachi Moreno, Henri Veesaar, Jayden Quaintance if he fall and needs more time to heal, Luigi Suigo
Another another backup PG more in the mold of GTA? Tyler Tanner, Ebuka Okorie
I’m not expecting any of the Michigan bigs to be there. All seem to be flying up the board. A lot of directions to go here. Let’s pretend the Knicks keep both 24 and 31 and draft players.
With 24 I’d try to go with wing shooting or shot creation. Meleek Thomas (can shoot and create), Isaiah Evans (reminds me a little of Tim Hardaway Jr) and Karaban (Hauser clone) stand out as players who can all shoot and maybe offer a little extra. Whether it’s shot creation or simply being a winner like Karaban.
With 31 im trying to draft a big that can be a cheap 3 or 4 year second round exception contract to serve as Mitchell Robinson’s backup when he’s out or limited. We need that depth and an upgrade over Hukporti. Tarris Reed, Zuby Ejiofor, and Reuben Chinyelu all stand out as bigs who can rebound, defense, and finish around the basket but are too limited to be first round picks. At 31 we also have the benefit of taking a player with a first round grade that falls. That’s a great spot to be in.
I dont know anything about college ball but Meleek Thomas did pop up for me and seemed like a target type.
martin@ 5/13/2026 11:14 AM
This guy would be a trade up target but probably way out of Knicks range to do so
Raw'er Mikal Bridges with athleticism.
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martin wrote:There are a bunch of names in the 24 to 31 that the Knicks could really try to fill.
I don't have a good feel for any of this and don't even know what role specifically they would need to target as they got most of them covered'ish.
Probably need a 3rd backup center, you never know with Mitch situation. Could always use a really good ISO ball handler, downhill guy off bench. Rugged, lateral moving PF who could play small ball and learn 3point shooting over time. Another 3&D guy who could marinate over a couple of years? Knicks got options to take best available or trade out to save on second apron? Brock Aller is in a lather already and he and Walt been locked in a room since March Madness.
Any of the Michigan guys if they fall? Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, Aday Mara
Rugged bigs to Cs? Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, Malachi Moreno, Henri Veesaar, Jayden Quaintance if he fall and needs more time to heal, Luigi Suigo
Another another backup PG more in the mold of GTA? Tyler Tanner, Ebuka Okorie
I’m not expecting any of the Michigan bigs to be there. All seem to be flying up the board. A lot of directions to go here. Let’s pretend the Knicks keep both 24 and 31 and draft players.
With 24 I’d try to go with wing shooting or shot creation. Meleek Thomas (can shoot and create), Isaiah Evans (reminds me a little of Tim Hardaway Jr) and Karaban (Hauser clone) stand out as players who can all shoot and maybe offer a little extra. Whether it’s shot creation or simply being a winner like Karaban.
With 31 im trying to draft a big that can be a cheap 3 or 4 year second round exception contract to serve as Mitchell Robinson’s backup when he’s out or limited. We need that depth and an upgrade over Hukporti. Tarris Reed, Zuby Ejiofor, and Reuben Chinyelu all stand out as bigs who can rebound, defense, and finish around the basket but are too limited to be first round picks. At 31 we also have the benefit of taking a player with a first round grade that falls. That’s a great spot to be in.
You right
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Yea! We need a ready made starting PF to allow us the option to match up big with length, athleticism & physicality.
Have pieces with #24, #31, Deuce, Dadiet to dangle if they can identify a target and find a partner.
Would rebuilding Memphis at #16 be interested in a package looking to continue to stockpile prospects?
I'm watching what Charlotte does with #14 and #18 and which players potentially fall to 18.
I don't pay attention to Charlotte enough but with LaMelo, a PoA spacer who doesn't need the ball in a guy like Deuce fits perfectly for a team that is on the edge of making the playoffs. Feel like they need a Center and Mara at #14 seems like a really good fit.
Knicks would presumably sell high on Deuce and move him to a good, playoff level team that also has tons of cap space to give him both the role and contract he deserves, Leon is like that. McCullar seems to have enough at the contract price to fill some of the things Deuce does with Shamet to hold that spot/role down too. What is the cost of a proven playoff level guy who can be an off the bench guy or a starter and fits perfectly with your main man LaMelo? Would #18 for Deuce and #31 be a trade? At 31 CHO could target a backup PG that will probably be there and just falls out of first round territory?
I don't know what the swap would be for #18 and if a player the Knicks could target would still be there and a worthwhile long term fit for them that Walt got that hots for.
Lots of possibilities with a trade partner like Charlotte that seem to unlock both teams.
martin@ 5/13/2026 1:07 PM
This guy next to KAT or insurance against a Mitch situation or small ball C who could (eventually) space. Bam Adebayo archetype at #18? He may not even last to 18.
Knixkik@ 5/13/2026 1:29 PM
martin wrote:This guy next to KAT or insurance against a Mitch situation or small ball C who could (eventually) space. Bam Adebayo archetype at #18? He may not even last to 18.
He would be amazing. And he’s a CAA guy. Maybe Knicks can work the back channels. That’s the only way we have a shot at him.
martin@ 5/13/2026 1:49 PM
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Yea! We need a ready made starting PF to allow us the option to match up big with length, athleticism & physicality.
Have pieces with #24, #31, Deuce, Dadiet to dangle if they can identify a target and find a partner.
Would rebuilding Memphis at #16 be interested in a package looking to continue to stockpile prospects?
I'm watching what Charlotte does with #14 and #18 and which players potentially fall to 18.
I don't pay attention to Charlotte enough but with LaMelo, a PoA spacer who doesn't need the ball in a guy like Deuce fits perfectly for a team that is on the edge of making the playoffs. Feel like they need a Center and Mara at #14 seems like a really good fit.
Knicks would presumably sell high on Deuce and move him to a good, playoff level team that also has tons of cap space to give him both the role and contract he deserves, Leon is like that. McCullar seems to have enough at the contract price to fill some of the things Deuce does with Shamet to hold that spot/role down too. What is the cost of a proven playoff level guy who can be an off the bench guy or a starter and fits perfectly with your main man LaMelo? Would #18 for Deuce and #31 be a trade? At 31 CHO could target a backup PG that will probably be there and just falls out of first round territory?
I don't know what the swap would be for #18 and if a player the Knicks could target would still be there and a worthwhile long term fit for them that Walt got that hots for.
Lots of possibilities with a trade partner like Charlotte that seem to unlock both teams.
Hornets make a ton of sense for the exact reasons you mentioned. They're looking for immediate impact players to push them to the next level. Very possible they may star hunt and move all their draft capital for a stud big man.
But if they don't move the picks. They def need a C at #14. A player like Deuce at #18 makes a ton of sense for them. Deuce would work very well alongside Lamelo & Coby White. Taking the tougher defensive matchup & maintaining the spacing/three point shooting they were pushing. They would probably go backup PF at 30 as they do need that element there behind Bridges.
martin@ 5/13/2026 2:45 PM
Chad Ford was the original Draft guy OG or something worded like that
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The volume of future first round picks exchanged for star players is expected to decline in the near term as a result of the NBA's new lottery reform. Teams are choosing to wait and understand the full implications of the new system before committing draft capital.
The NBA's proposed "3-2-1" lottery format is headed for a Board of Governors vote on May 28 and is widely expected to pass. Beginning next season, teams finishing fourth through tenth would each hold an equal 8.1% shot at the top overall pick. The expanded lottery would include 16 teams, drawing in more than half the league.
That wider participation is the core issue as when more teams carry a realistic chance at a franchise-altering selection, the incentive to hold picks rather than trade them grows considerably. Front offices that once moved future assets freely are now treating them with greater care.
The looming trade market for Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will illustrate the state of the market. As his future in Milwaukee moves toward resolution, teams assembling offers must weigh precisely how much draft capital makes sense to surrender under a lottery system that rewards depth of misfortune less than it once did.
The experience of the Indiana Pacers from Sunday's lottery serves as a cautionary example leaguewide. The Pacers lost their top-four protected first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers, a condition attached to February's Ivica Zubac trade, after drawing the fifth slot. The outcome has reinforced the stakes of attaching picks to trades.
Franchises that may never feel compelled to truly tank and bottom out could still hold valuable picks after just missing out on the playoffs.
Teams are currently limited in the number of picks they can trade due to the Stepien rule, but they may now put additional guardrails on themselves out of fear of trading away a future top pick.
martin@ 5/13/2026 5:29 PM
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Yeah, I only looked at the stats for anthro and agility and it was clear he stood out dramatically. I’d give up all three picks for him. But, seems unpossible.
