NBA Draft 2019 rumors: Knicks rejected Hawks' offer for No. 3 pick

E.Jay Zarett

NBA Draft 2019 rumors: Knicks rejected Hawks' offer for No. 3 pick image

The Hawks appear like they want to move up in the 2019 draft.

Atlanta offered the Knicks the No. 8 and No. 10 pick in exchange for the third selection, according to a report from ESPN, which cites an unidentified league source. New York, however, rejected the proposal.

The Hawks sent Taurean Prince to the Nets earlier this month in exchange for the No. 17 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, a protected first-round selection in 2020 and Allen Crabbe.

The Hawks now hold six total picks in 2019. But, general manager Travis Schlenk told The Athletic last month they “probably don’t want to add” that many rookies to the team.

Schlenk said Atlanta is looking to pick players with a specific skillset.

“I’ve said it 100 times, and it sounds really elementary, but being able to dribble, pass and shoot in today’s league is really important,” Schlenk said. “If you’re a guy out there and you can’t do those things, you’re almost a liability. I would have no problem adding another 6-7 to 6-10 guy who can play on the perimeter to the roster because they’ll just find a way for them to get on the floor.”

The Hawks finished 2018-19 with a 29-53 record and missed the playoffs for a second straight season.

The Knicks, meanwhile, are expected to select former Duke star RJ Barrett at No. 3. They also could consider Darius Garland or Ja Morant, if he is still available.

“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.”

The Knicks, meanwhile, are hoping to have a busy offseason as they’ll reportedly pursue multiple stars. They’ve been linked to Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, who ruptured his Achilles during Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

 

E.Jay Zarett