New York Knicks Trade Both of Their First-Rounders: Draft Night Analysis

Knicks Trade Down to 25th, Acquire Second-Rounders, Future First

The Knicks have had themselves an eventful draft night as of yet. Here’s what resulted for them in the first round.

Traded Away:

19th (Kai Jones, F, Texas, Bahamas)

21st (Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee, USA)

32nd (Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F, Villanova, USA)

Received:

25th (Quentin Grimes, G, Houston, USA)

34th (Rokas Jokubaitis, G, FC Barcelona, Lithuania)

36th (Miles McBride, G, West Virginia, USA)

2022 Hornets First-Round Pick

Analysis

First Round

Before the draft, it seemed possible that the Knicks could look to trade up into the lottery. Instead, they’ve opted to hedge their bets. New York acquired a future first in the Kai Jones deal, giving them more mobility than stacking on a multitude of first-round rookies this season.

Quentin Grimes is an intriguing project for the Knicks. He has a ceiling somewhere around Spencer Dinwiddie, and could be an excellent 3-and-D option in the future. His shooting is a welcomed plus.

Grimes broke out with the University of Houston after transferring from Kansas in 2019. In his junior season with the Cougars, Grimes averaged 17.8 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40% from 3—all career highs. Also of note: he is half-brothers with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers.

Second Round

The Knicks appear to have procured some options at the one. After a trade with the Thunder, the Knicks took point guards Rokas Jokubaitis and Miles McBride 34th and 36th respectively. And with the 58th pick, New York selected Jericho Sims.

Jokubaitis was the surprising subtitle to LaMelo Ball’s debut in Lithuania—Rokas put up 31 points in that game against Prienai. He is a capable shooter and playmaker, and shined at Basketball Without Borders 2017. As of now, it’s unclear whether Jokubaitis will stay with FC Barcelona, whom he just inked a four-year deal with on July 21.

McBride, also known as “Deuce,” is a combo guard from West Virginia who shows potential on both ends of the floor. His playmaking will need development at the next level—his vision especially—but there will be ample time for that in the Knicks’ timeline.

Sims is a strong, athletic center whose strengths include his interior finishing and rim protection. He played all four years at Texas, graduating with a bachelor’s in African and African Diaspora Studies, with a minor in Anthropology. His 44.5 inch recorded max vertical is another statistic to note.

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