Trying to follow what’s going on in the NBA draft will make your head spin. The Knicks have already drafted Ousmane Dieng and immediately sent him packing. Now, they are acquiring Jalen Duren from the Hornets (who took him 13th overall) and immediately sending him to the Detroit Pistons with Kemba Walker.
Knicks acquired Jalen Duren — and moved him with Kemba Walker to the Pistons, sources said. https://t.co/kzyljkrFnI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2022
For a brief moment, the possibility of Jaden Ivey making his way to New York seemed like it was in play. But alas, this is a salary dump so the Knicks can, in all likelihood, pursue Jalen Brunson.
Sources: The Pistons are keeping Jaden Ivey despite several attempts from rival teams to acquire him.
— James Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) June 24, 2022
Knicks get from OKC, per source:
2023 first rounder from DET that's 1-18 protected through 2024, 1-13 in '25, 1-11 in '26, 1-9 in 2027.
2023 first from WAS that's 1-14, 1-12 in 2024, 1-10 in '25, 1-8 in 2026.
2023 first from DEN, protected 1-14 through 2025.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 24, 2022
Sources: #Hornets compensation for Jalen Duren:
2023 Denver 1st round pick
2023 Knicks 2nd round pick
2023 Utah 2nd round pick
2023 Dallas/Miami 2nd round pick (most favorable)
2024 Knicks 2nd round pick— Rod Boone (@rodboone) June 24, 2022
A first-rounder and four second-rounders is a hefty price to pay to dump Walker’s $9 million in 2022-23 salary. Ouch.
“Same ol’ Knicks” is an understatement at this point. Leon Rose is taking the star chasing to a whole new level. Instead of waiting for the books to clear, he’s giving away a lot to dump salary.
The Knicks are essentially punting on bringing in any young players in this draft in order to load up on free agency this year. The reported target is Jalen Brunson, which is fine because he’s a great player, but there is more to it.
The Knicks are going to have to pay him — a lot. Not to mention, there is no guarantee that he is going to come to New York even if they move the sun and stars to clear the salary cap space. To go even further, they still don’t have enough cap space to sign Brunson.
It would be impossible to know what Leon Rose is thinking because he refuses to speak to the media unless it’s a softball interview on MSG Networks. Our best guess is that he’s trying to acquire Jalen Brunson, re-sign Mitchell Robinson, and essentially run it back with a team that was a huge disappointment last season.
Maybe he has another trick up his sleeve. But don’t hold your breath.
Knicks Draft Day Trades pic.twitter.com/AKpVl6UMXZ
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) June 24, 2022