NBA Mock Draft 9.0: NY Knicks trade up for a PG; Magic go rogue at No. 1

In the latest edition of our NBA Mock Draft, the New York Knicks trade up to get their point guard and the Orlando Magic go rogue with the No. 1 pick.

The NBA Finals are in full swing, NBA pre-draft workouts are underway, and the 2022 NBA Draft is roughly a month and a half off. In this week’s NBA Mock Draft, the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons make an interesting trade and there’s a new No. 1 pick.

The New York Knicks trade into the top 5 of the 2022 NBA Draft

In a swap between the Knicks and Pistons, New York moves into the top 5 to take the point guard that will hopefully solve all of their issues in the backcourt. Here is the official mock trade between the two teams:

Knicks get: No. 5 pick 

Pistons get: Cam Reddish, Obi Toppin, No. 11 pick, and a 2023 first-round pick via Dallas

This is a deal that the Pistons can’t seem to pass up. With all due respect, there’s probably no prospect that is being selected at this point in the draft that will drastically change the direction of the Pistons. Under that assumption, the Pistons take a flier on Cam Reddish, get a solid versatile big in Obi Toppin, the No. 11 pick (from the Knicks), and a 2023 first-round pick from New York (via Dallas).

For the Knicks, it may seem like they’re giving up a lot. But if the Knicks truly believe that there’s a point guard in this draft that will drastically change the direction of the franchise, they shouldn’t hesitate to make a move.

Let’s get to the rest of the mock draft.