New York Knicks: Four Options For No. 4 Pick In 2015 NBA Draft

Third Option: Trade 4th Pick To Phoenix Suns

Mar 15, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) dribbles against New York Knicks guard Alexey Shved (1) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

There have been rumors since the NBA Draft Lottery that the Knicks would be shopping the fourth overall pick, as they were disappointed they didn’t land in the top-two. Phil Jackson has said there is little chance the Knicks will trade the pick, but he did not rule it out entirely. In recent days, there have been a number of rumors about the Knicks in potential trade targets, with one being an offer from the Phoenix Suns centered around point guard Eric Bledsoe.

In the supposedly proposed deal, the Suns offered the Knicks Bledsoe and the 13th overall pick for the Knicks’ 4th overall pick. This would seem to be a deal that fits exactly what the Knicks are looking for in a return package. They stay in the lottery, but are in a range to select players they are supposedly enamored with. One such player is Kentucky’s Trey Lyles. Coincidentally, many mock drafts have Lyles going in the 13th spot, which would be the one the Knicks are acquiring.

Also in that slot, the Knicks could have a chance at Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky, his teammate Sam Dekker, Lyles’ teammate Willie Cauley-Stein who has been dropping on boards, or Texas big man Myles Turner.

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While all of the aforementioned players would be an upgrade for the Knicks, the real prize here would be Bledsoe. If the Knicks were to make a trade, they would only do one for a younger veteran that they can add to their core; Bledsoe would fit that bill as a 25-year old. His skill set is similar to Mudiay, as he can get to the basket and help take a scoring load off of Anthony’s shoulder. Unfortunately, also like Mudiay, Bledsoe doesn’t have the greatest jump shot, something that has not developed as scouts projected would when he came out of Kentucky, where he played shooting guard next to John Wall.

But, there are also rumors that the Knicks are looking to stay in the top-10 if they are to move their fourth overall pick. If that is the case, they should attempt to shed more salary for falling out of the top-10 by trying to attach Jose Calderon to the fourth pick. Depending on how far they move down, taking Calderon on in addition to the fourth selection should be a prerequisite for the Knicks as they actually hold the power in negotiations. It sure would be nice to see them come out on top in a trade instead of always seeming to come up with the short end of the stick.

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