NBA Draft News and Rumors: New York Knicks reportedly want to trade down

The New York Knicks apparently want to trade down in the 2020 NBA Draft – unless one of two top talents falls into their hands. The league allows teams to hold face-to-face meetings with draft prospects. All the news and rumors about the NBA Draft can be found here.

NBA Draft: Knicks probably looking for a trade

Like Marc Berman from the New York Post reported the Knicks are interested in threading a trade with their 8th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. According to the report, there were considerations in the traditional franchise’s front office to trade downwards in the draft.

Apparently New York could target the range of picks 12-15 to get another young player in the deal at the same time. Depending on how the draft goes, the Knicks could also keep their pick.

According to Berman, the franchise is hoping for James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball to drop to eighth position. In this case, the Knicks would probably access the corresponding top talent and forego a trade of the pick. However, both the center and the ball are considered potential top 5 picks.

At the same time, it could also be difficult for the Knicks to trade down in this draft. According to several rumors, some teams are pursuing a similar plan, as players with clear superstar potential are rather in short supply this year. Accordingly, the demand on the trade market could be rather restrained.

NBA allows face-to-face meetings with draft prospects

The league has in a memo about 30 teams that ESPN has been announced that some corona-related restrictions will be partially lifted a good four weeks before the NBA draft. From October 16 to November 16, the teams are allowed to arrange up to ten four-and-a-half-hour meetings with talents to hold talks with them or to have a medical examination.

According to this, the teams are allowed to send three team leaders plus a medic into the city where the player is staying. The players are also allowed to bring three additional companions to the meeting, for example family members, trainers or agents. The teams are only allowed to meet a player twice.

All those involved must also show a negative corona test. In April, the NBA banned face-to-face meetings between the teams and draft prospects due to the coronavirus pandemic. These regulations have now been relaxed.