What if I were to tell you that the New York Knicks gained three draft picks for a player that never even touched the court in Madison Square Garden in a Knicks uniform?
You would probably say that I am crazy, and the Knicks are not savvy enough to pull off miraculous moves such as this. However, new team president Leon Rose has bought a sense of intelligence that the organization has lacked over the past decade, maybe more.
Following the conclusion of the 2020 NBA draft, Rose took to the phones, looking to acquire bad contracts attached to assets for the future. It was clear that he had no intentions of acquiring a max player or trading for a cap-consuming talent.
The Knicks are prioritizing developing their youth in acquiring draft picks for the future, which can be turned over in a trade or to move up further in the draft. This is called intelligent thinking, something the general manager position has been void of for many years.
However, the Knicks acquired Ed Davis from the Utah Jazz this past week, as he was on the hook for $5 million in 2021. The Knicks gained two 2023 second-round picks in the deal, and what Rose did next was simply brilliant.
Minnesota is trading Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans and a future second-round pick to New York for F Ed Davis, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 22, 2020
Rose went on to trade Davis to the Minnesota Timberwolves, acquiring Omari Spellman, Jacob Evans, and another second-round pick for the future. So, the Knicks acquired three second-round picks for $5 million, which in turn, displays a keen ability to buy draft selections.
As @IanBegley says, Knicks turned Davis' arrival and departure into three second-round picks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 23, 2020
Last season for Utah, Davis averaged just 1.8 points per game and 3.8 total rebounds. He was simply not worth his contract, and the next took advantage of that reality. They were also looking to acquire JaVale McGee from the Los Angeles Lakers, but he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who caught onto the Knicks’ wave and followed suit.
With the change in leadership in the front office, New York seems to have a better head on his shoulders, making moves for the future and focusing on their youth development. This is how a rebuild is supposed to look, building from your foundation up and not filling holes with high priced free agents when you’re not in a position to win.