The New York Knicks , as of this writing, don’t own a high pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The soonest they can make a pick in the upcoming draft is at the No. 24 spot (via the Dallas Mavericks). But they can also try to trade up to get closer to a bigger prospect like Kentucky Wildcats product and promising guard Rob Dillingham.
Rob Dillingham to the New York Knicks via Wild Trade up, a Possibility
Mar 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) attempts to dunk the ball against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies during the first half at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY SportsIn a trade scenario by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report , the Knicks send the No. 24, No. 25, and No. 38 overall picks in the 2024 draft to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for the Spurs’ No. 8 pick overall, which could be good enough for the Knickerbockers to get Dillingham.
Rob Dillingham, a Kentucky product just like Quickley, could be the off-the-bench spark plug New York has been without since giving up Quickley in the OG Anunoby trade. It might be tricky to pair Dillingham with Jalen Brunson, since both are undersized scoring guards, but the Knicks might not be in the market for a new starter, anyway.
Instead, they could see real value in finding someone who can keep the offense humming when Brunson needs a breather.
Assuming Dillingham lands in the Big Apple, there’s no way he would take over the spot of Jalen Brunson, but he could provide competition for New York’s lead guard in the long run. At the very least, Dillingham could be a valuable backup for Brunson, who is doing an admirable job not just as the top point guard of the Knicks but also as New York’s franchise player.