Knicks rise in 2020 NBA Draft in trade with Jazz

The Knicks will drop their second-round pick to drop from 27th to 23rd in Wednesday’s 2020 NBA Draft, in a trade of picks with the Utah Jazz, the team said.

The Knicks had Willy Hernangomez’s 38th trade pick but can still buy a second round on draft night, something owner James Dolan isn’t used to doing.

However, the Knicks also believe that having three spots on the rookie roster during this quick season turnaround may not be ideal. Plus, there’s no guarantee of hiding a G League rookie, who might not have a regular season.

Negotiating with the Jazz comes as no surprise as their longtime college scout Walter Perrin recently became the Knicks’ assistant general manager.

The Knicks now choose at No.8 and 23. If they decide not to go with a point guard at 8, the Knicks can target one with their second first round pick with an interest in Frenchman Theo Maledon, Tyrell Terry of Stanford, Payton Pritchard of Oregon and Malachi Flynn of San Diego State. They also like Rochester native Isaiah Stewart, but he plays center.

The 23rd pick in 2017 was OG Anunoby, Toronto’s rising wing. ESPN, which first broke the news, added that the Knicks also acquired Ante Tomic, 33, of Utah. He’s a 2008 second-round pick that isn’t expected to come to the NBA.

The Knicks could potentially sign Tomic to help match wages in a future trade.