As many major sports leagues' drafts go, the order of the first round is never really set — not even as the drafting process gets underway. So it's really no surprise that the order for the 2022 NBA Draft could still change quite a bit even though the first round gets underway Thursday.
The latest team that reportedly wants to switch up the order? The New York Knicks.
The New York #Knicks are angling for a much better position in Thursday's draft.
— OddsMaker (@oddsmaker) June 22, 2022
The Knicks held separate negotiations with the Sacramento #Kings and the Detroit #Pistons about trading up for the No. 4 and No. 5 picks, respectively. #NBADraft #NBA pic.twitter.com/Kc9eQTlOms
According to SNY, the Knicks want to move up from the No. 11 pick to somewhere in the top five, and there are rumors they have been in discussions with the Sacramento Kings and the Detroit Pistons, who have the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, respectively.
SNY's Ian Begley reported the cost of moving up to the No. 4 spot would cost New York "multiple picks and one of New York's young players such as Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin or Quentin Grimes."
Now, who the Knicks will use that higher pick on is still anyone's guess. SNY speculates they will select Purdue product Jaden Ivey, while other outlets have them taking Duke standout AJ Griffin or Jalen Duren from the Memphis Tigers.
The first round of the 2022 NBA Draft is set to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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