The New York Knicks are "debating" whether to keep the fourth overall pick or trade down in the hopes of acquiring a future first round pick, reports CBS Sports' Ken Berger. If they trade down, Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky is one player the organization is targeting, according to Sporting News' Sean Deveney.
NBA Draft rumors 2015: Knicks reportedly considering trading down for Frank Kaminsky
The Knicks might be open to trading down and have their sights set on Kaminsky.
The big man worked out for the Knicks and had dinner with members of the franchise’s front office, fueling speculation that New York is a realistic target for the former Badger. Kaminsky’s versatility would make him a great fit for the triangle offense and his experience and NBA-readiness would likely allow him to make an impact sooner rather than later. Other teams picking high in the draft have time to develop players but the Knicks are trying to get back to the playoffs, armed with ample cap space to improve their roster in free agency.
Kaminsky is projected to be a late lottery pick while the Knicks have the fourth overall pick, so trading down would be a possibility. Denver appears to be the more likely trade partner, according to Berger. The Nuggets have the seventh pick in the draft, a slot in which Kaminsky should still be on the board. If the Knicks can get an extra pick out of the transaction, it would help them accumulate assets to make a trade in the future or add cheap, young talent down the line.
Moving up to fourth would allow the Nuggets -- or whichever teams pulls the trigger -- a chance to grab one of Emmanuel Mudiay, Kristaps Porzingis or D'Angelo Russell. With Ty Lawson reportedly on the block, adding one of the best point guards in the draft could be worth it for Denver while Porzingis' skill set would make him the perfect compliment to Jusuf Nurkic.
The Knicks are looking at all possible options with their pick, as well they should. If Kaminsky is their guy, trading down makes a lot of sense. Missing out on one of the prospects with a higher upside could come back to haunt them long term, however, and it’s likely the reason why a deal is not in place yet.
Pistons not optimistic about keeping Greg Monroe
Pistons' coach and team president Stan Van Gundy is not optimistic about the franchise's chances of retaining Greg Monroe, reports Yahoo Sports.
Monroe will become an unrestricted free agent after accepting his qualifying offer last season, when he couldn’t reach an agreement with the team on an extension. Since then it’s been speculated that he would leave Detroit this offseason and those rumors are only getting louder. Van Gundy acknowledging the fact that it would be hard to keep the talented big man confirms that the reports were accurate.
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The Knicks are rumored to be targeting Monroe in free agency and reports say the interest is mutual. His post game would make him a great fit for the triangle and with Jahlil Okafor likely outside of the Knicks’ range in the draft, he represents their best shot at adding a player who can fill that role.
Monroe's defense is suspect but he's still young enough to improve, especially if he plays center full time, something he couldn't do in Detroit because of the emergence of Andre Drummond.
The Pistons traded for power forward Ersan Ilyasova recently, preparing for the eventual departure of Monroe, so they won't have a hole to fill inside if he indeed leaves.
The Magic are considering trading down
Magic's general manager Rob Hennigan said that the front office is "considering" trading down in hopes of getting a veteran player in return, reports the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins.
Orlando has the fifth overall pick in the draft, which could have serious value. One of Kristaps Porzingis, D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay will likely be available for the taking and a team that has any of them high on their big board could be tempted to pull the trigger on a deal that puts them in that range.
The Magic could keep the pick but already have a young core in place, with former lottery picks Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon flanking Nikola Vucevic. What the franchise needs is a veteran player to lead the young locker room and produce consistently while the prospects go through their growing pains.
It’s unclear which team could make a good trade partner at this time but with news that the pick is available, surely there will be interested parties.
Lakers trying to trade No. 2 pick for DeMarcus Cousins
The Lakers have been aggressively trying to land a star and their latest target has been the Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins.
Kings' top executive Vlade Divac said earlier this week that a trade involving Cousins is "not happening" but the Lakers are dangling the second overall pick and trying to engage the Magic to make a three-team trade including Vucevic. Cousins would give the Lakers the post presence they have been looking for and a young star to turn the franchise over to once Kobe Bryant retires.
That said, it's hard to see the Lakers putting together a package that would entice Sacramento to pull the trigger, especially since Cousins is under contract for three more years and has not played under new coach George Karl yet. If they were to move the All-Star center, they could also arguably create a bidding war that landed them more assets than Los Angeles has to offer.
The Lakers are rumored to be set on selecting Jahlil Okafor if Karl-Anthony Towns is off the board when they pick second. Okafor is not Cousins but it seems like he’ll have to do, because it seems extremely unlikely this trade actually happens.
Towns says there’s no promise
Karl-Anthony Towns is considered a lock to be selected by the Timberwolves first overall but he claims there's no promise in place.
“If I had a promise I would go start eating ice cream and getting fat,” Towns told the Associated Press. “There is absolutely no promise at all.”
Wesley Matthews seeking big contract despite injury
Free agent to be Wesley Matthews is seeking a new contract that pays him around $15 million annually despite missing the end of the season after suffering a tear on his Achilles’ tendon, according to USA Today’s Sam Amick.
Matthews was averaging 16 points on 39 percent shooting from outside while playing quality defense for the Trail Blazers last season before his injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Before the tear, he was slated to be one of the most sought-after free agents in the offseason thanks to his three-point shooting ability and defensive prowess.
A fan favorite in Portland, Matthews was supposed to re-sign and receive a big raise. With LaMarcus Aldridge entering free agency as well and his injury potentially limiting him next season, however, the Trail Blazers could be cautious about making a big commitment to their starting shooting guard for the past five season.
If he returns to the level he showed when healthy, Matthews is worth an eight-figure annual contract, especially with the salary cap expected to rise significantly. Whether he gets one or not will depend on how confident front offices are about him making a full recovery.
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