The Knicks’ course of action on draft night is a mystery to most. Truth be told, I don’t know if the Knicks are sure what they’re going to do yet. The Knicks don’t know which player will be available at no. 4, and the Knicks will reportedly consider trading down in the draft if Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, and D’Angelo Russell are all gone. They could reportedly go after Frank Kaminsky or Cameron Payne should they decide to trade down.
Knicks’ GM Phil Jackson would love to acquire a big name player or 2 to pair with Carmelo Anthony. One player they’ve looked at is DeMarcus Cousins. However, the Knicks are not alone in coveting the big man. Who wouldn’t want a 24-year old center who averaged an astounding 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.5 steals last season? The Celtics and Lakers are interested in trading for Cousins, and who knows if he’s even available for trade? According to reports, head coach George Karl wants him gone, but general manager Vlade Divac is completely against it(Unless Michael Jordan becomes available)
Even if Cousins is available, do the Knicks have the resources to land him? Phil Jackson isn’t so sure. From Peter Botte of the New York Daily News:
Still, Jackson doubted the Knicks will have enough assets to be in play for available All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins of Sacramento.
“I wouldn’t want to talk about that. I don’t think it’s fair to disclose that,” Jackson said. “Sacramento’s gone through changes. They changed their front office personnel. We’re aware of the situation. We understand the possibilities. We’re just going to see what falls out.
“We don’t know if we have enough stuff to even be in the talk, but we’re aware of what’s going on.”
Jackson’s doubts are well-founded. Sure, the Knicks would love to acquire Cousins, but that’s probably no more than a pipe dream. They have the no. 4 pick in the draft, which, while certainly valuable, isn’t anywhere near enough to land a player of Cousins’ level. They have few other valuable assets. Carmelo Anthony is far and away the most talented player on the roster, but there’s no way they trade him. The Knicks simply don’t have the resources to tempt Sacramento into trading Cousins. Even if the Kings decide they want Cousins gone, they could get much more from a team like the Celtics or the Lakers.
