The New York Knicks shocked everyone during the 2022 NBA Draft with a number of trades that had many Knicks fans confused about the direction of the organization.
The organization traded their 11th pick in the draft to obtain a number of future draft picks from the Oklahoma City Thunder, only to trade back up in the draft, and then abruptly trade that pick to the Detroit Pistons along with Kemba Walker to rid themselves of Walker’s contract.
What the Knicks did tonight:
NYK trades 11th pick to OKC
OKC trades 3 firsts (23 DEN, DET, WASH) to NYK
NYK then trades 23 DEN, 4 seconds to CHA for 13th pick
NYK then trade 13th pick & Kemba Walker to DET for MKE's 25 first
NYK trades 11, Kemba, 4 2nds & gets 3 future 1sts
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 24, 2022
The move indicated that the Knicks are all-in on spending money in free agency this offseason. And they made yet another move on Tuesday to clear as much salary as possible.
New York traded veteran center Nerlens Noel along with Alec Burks to the Pistons on Tuesday along with two future second-round picks
The Knicks are trading center Nerlens Noel and guard Alec Burks to the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. The Knicks will unload $19M more in salary, clearing the way for cap space to try and sign free agent guard Jalen Brunson.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022
New York will send Detroit back its 2023 second-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick via Miami and $6 million, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022
This move freed up $19 million in salary for New York. That’s expected to be used for an offer to Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson, who will be a restricted free agent this offseason.
The Knicks have reportedly become favorites to land Brunson (seen above driving against Burks in a March game), and are expected to offer Brunson a multi-year contract worth around $110 million.
This has Knicks fans feeling a bit uneasy about their future, with many thinking they may be overpaying Brunson should he decide to sign with New York.
Knicks fans, I love you guys – but you can’t hail Leon Rose as a genius when he trades for second-round picks and tout their value when NY receives them… but turn around and say “who cares about 2nd round picks – they’re worthless!!” when New York trades them away.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 29, 2022
If Jalen Brunson does indeed get a 4-year, $110M deal from the Knicks, he'll go from earning $6.1 million in 4 YEARS with the Mavs to $6.2 million in 20 GAMES with New York 🤯
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 29, 2022
The New York Knicks are giving away players to overpay Jalen Brunson.
This franchise is something else.
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) June 29, 2022
One one side you have literally everyone who thinks the New York Knicks putting all their eggs in the Jalen Brunson basket is a bad idea. On the other side you have the New York Knicks. No way to tell who is right.
— Kyle Koster (@KyleKoster) June 29, 2022
Brunson had a breakout season last year with the Mavericks, averaging 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game in his fourth year in the league.
While he could possibly take the next step in his career next year, those stats don’t exactly scream for a max contract offer from a potential suitor. But the Knicks are reportedly planning to do that anyway.
A big selling point for Brunson to join the Knicks is that they plan to make Brunson their long-term starting point guard. That’s something that Brunson hasn’t exactly been doing in Dallas, with Luka Doncic taking much of the ball-handling responsibilities on the Mavericks.
Part of the Knicks pitch to Jalen Brunson, I’m told, is the opportunity to be a full time point guard. In Dallas, Brunson can play with Luka. But Luka is the de facto point guard. In New York, Brunson would run the show.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 28, 2022
New York has had issues luring in notable free agents in the past. But from an outside perspective, Brunson doesn’t exactly move the needle and suddenly make them a contender in the Eastern Conference.
[Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter; photo from Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports]
