NBA Draft 2019 rumors: Knicks hoping to buy another second-round pick

E.Jay Zarett

NBA Draft 2019 rumors: Knicks hoping to buy another second-round pick image

The Knicks are looking to add at least one more pick.

New York is hoping to buy another second-round selection in the 2019 NBA Draft on Thursday, according to a report from The Athletic, which cites unidentified league sources.

The Knicks hold the No. 3 pick and are projected to take former Duke star RJ Barrett, if they don’t trade down. They’re also set to be on the clock with the 55th selection.

“If that ends up and I’m still there at three, I’d love for (the Knicks) to take me,” Barrett said during a recent interview. “This is the place I want to be, so I hope they draft me.”

New York could look to deal Frank Ntilikina in exchange for an additional pick as it is reportedly “extremely open” to moving the guard.

The Knicks are expected to pursue top free agents this summer, including Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker and Kevin Durant, who ruptured his Achilles in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

“We’re excited about where we are,’’ Knicks president Steve Mills said in May. “We know we’ll get a good player at three. So, it’s something we’re excited about and look forward to. We want to build this team the right way. We’ve always said we’re going to continue to work hard during the draft process. We believe we’re a team that can draft well.”

The Knicks finished the season with a 17-65 record. They last made the playoffs in 2012-13.

 

E.Jay Zarett