Knicks president Leon Rose watches his team play against the Rockets during the first half at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2020. Credit: Jim McIsaac
As the clock ticked toward the start of the 2021 NBA Draft the Knicks were in the center of a number of trade rumors, searching for a way to move out of their spots in the draft and move up into position for a difference-making — immediate difference-making — player.
The Knicks were searching for a win-now option to help build on the success of last season, whether it was by moving high enough into the first round to find what they believed was the type of player to help Julius Randle and RJ Barrett now or to search out a veteran player who had already proved he could contribute in an NBA game now, or more specifically, a playoff game.