Depending on how the first couple of picks unfold, there’s a chance that the LaMelo Ball will still be on the board when the Charlotte Hornets are on the clock. If he’s still there at No. 3, there’s no question this could be New York’s last chance at jumping up to snag LaMelo Ball. This trade could get complicated, however.
Instead of offering Mitchell Robinson, perhaps the Knicks could get away with offering a package of Julius Randle, Frank Ntilikina, and their eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft for the third pick in the 2020 NBA Draft (LaMelo Ball). Of course, not including a piece as valuable as Robinson could force New York to do a solid for the Hornets. That could mean absorbing the final two years of Nicolas Batum’s contract.
The Knicks have the salary cap space to do so, even more so if they swap Julius Randle in the process. Plus, they’d be able to keep their true core intact and would be heading into the 2020-21 season with a core three of LaMelo Ball, RJ Barrett, and Mitchell Robinson.
Who could complain about that?