New York Knicks draft: Growing buzz Knicks will trade one of two picks | Sporting News

The New York Knicks own the 24th and 25th picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, but it doesn’t appear that they will make both selections next week.

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, rival teams don’t “expect” the Knicks to keep both picks.

Givony reports that the Knicks may be able to trade one of the picks for a future first-rounder, which could help their trade flexibility.

The Knicks also own one second-round pick, the 38th overall pick.

There was already some buzz that the Knicks are exploring trades with their picks. The Knicks are not only said to be pursuing a trade for a star player this offseason, but as currently constructed, the team is deep and doesn’t project to have much use for multiple rookies on the roster. 

With the Knicks also hoping to re-sign free agents OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein to new contracts, while possibly picking up the option for Bojan Bogdanovic, the team has to be wary of hitting the first apron, which is punitive under the NBA’s new CBA. Though the 24th and 25th picks in this year’s draft would only carry first-year salaries of just over $2 million, every dollar counts.

On “The HoopsHype Podcast with Michael Scotto,” SNY’s Ian Begley predicted that the Knicks make at least one or two of their three draft picks.

If the Knicks do keep their picks, they have actually been successful in recent years finding impact players late in the first round. 

The Knicks have been linked to Virginia forward Ryan Dunn, who is considered the best defender in the draft. ESPN’s latest mock had the Knicks selecting Dunn with the 25th pick.

Some mock drafts have also had the Knicks selecting Purdue big man Zach Edey. It’s possible Edey goes much earlier than where the Knicks select.

Knicks president Leon Rose has been active in making deals on draft night since taking over the team, and this current draft is setting up to be another busy night for the Knicks.