Still reeling from their misfortune at the NBA draft lottery, the New York Knicks are in a uniquely complicated position that could compel them to trade their No. 4 pick.
Bailing on top-five prospects just to brighten the immediate picture is oft-considered downright reckless in its brazen disregard for the long-term outlook—unless, of course, a franchise has just cause for weighing other options.
Although team president Phil Jackson has emphasized the importance of rebuilding around homegrown talent, the Knicks play home to an aging superstar in Carmelo Anthony. Their window to win with him is not forever, and they wouldn't have re-signed him last summer if the plan was to start over completely.