The 2020 NBA Draft has been dubbed a bad draft by most fans that I have talked to. In my opinion, that simply isn’t the case. Yes, there is no sure-fire number one prospect. That said, there are plenty of very solid players in this class that will be contributors to winning teams. Sometimes people forget that unless you have a player named Lebron, Kawhi, Durant (last name), or Steph, you need a TEAM to win a championship. I can promise you this draft can deliver exceptional rotation depth and even some #2/3 options.
The New York Knicks are stuck in the middle in this draft, with a pretty even split amongst fans who want to trade up, stay put, and trade back. Lucky for you, I have the answer to this difficult question.
TRADE: Knicks receive R1P14 and R1P26 from Boston for R1P8
This trade makes sense for both teams. The Celtics are coming off a draft where they selected three rookies in 2019. To go out and pick three more would crowd a win-now roster with even more rookies who likely aren’t ready to contribute immediately. Instead, now they get the opportunity to take center Onyeka Okongwu out of USC with the eight pick and hopefully solve the holes at the center position. The Knicks on the other hand, get to accumulate more young players on a roster deprived of talent.
Knicks pick 14 prospects: Aaron Nesmith, Saddiq Bey, Tyrell Terry, Patrick Williams, Kira Lewis Jr.
Knicks pick 26/27 prospects: Desmond Bane, Tyler Bey, Malachi Flynn, Tyrese Maxey, Grant Riller, Payton Prtichard, Jaden McDaniels, Robert Woodard.
If Haliburton is off the board, this trade is a no brainer for the Knicks. In a deep draft like this one, there is no reason not to try and accumulate more picks in the middle of the draft. There are plenty of gems out there, the only way to find them is with more draft picks.