Only eight days left for the NBA Draft as teams look to sign new players for the upcoming season. Many teams are looking to draft Purdue’s Jaden Ivey, including New York Knicks but they have a huge competition in the form of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, who have virtually limitless draft capital, is allegedly interested in trading their No. 12 pick for Ivey and Shaedon Sharpe. If the Knicks fight Sacramento for the No. 4 pick, they will have the upper hand unless the Thunder offer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Josh Giddey, which is exceedingly improbable. The lottery pick of the Kings is said to be readily available for a pick swap and a proven veteran who could assist the Kings break their 16-year playoff drought.
It’s been quite some time since the Thunder have been trying to lure Ivey into the teams, including inviting him to a workout session with the team. Ivey is expected to be the fourth overall choice in this year’s draft, after Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, and Duke’s Paolo Banchero. Ivey, on the other hand, is said to be apprehensive about landing in Sacramento.
After using one of their 20 interview slots at the NBA Draft Combine and being front and center during his Pro Day, it’s no secret that the Knicks want Ivey. Add in the fact that Ivey is a client of Creative Artists Agency. Ivey and Knicks former lottery pick Obi Toppin have the same agent (CAA’s Austin Brown).
If the Knicks miss out on Ivey, other CAA clients — Dallas Mavericks breakout star Jalen Brunson, who is in a difficult sign-and-trade or a swap for Indiana Pacers Malcolm Brogdon — are rumored to be options. Sam Rose, the son of Knicks president Leon Rose, is one of Brunson’s CAA representatives. Meanwhile, Brown is Brogdon’s agent.
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