Jackson likes Jackson
Obviously, the Knicks have many needs and a new point guard may be primary. Whether Phil Jackson can get his point guard in this draft isn’t much of a question. There will be talented young guards throughout the Draft and many will be solid NBA players.
What isn’t always available in the NBA Draft is an experienced player who still has upside. This experience and potential is why the Knicks may be looking very close at Justin Jackson.
Chris Roling of Bleacher Report believes the Knicks are more likely to use their second-round picks and a bench player to sneak into the back of the draft:
"As the writeup goes on to note, the Knicks grabbing Jackson would mean some sort of trade. It’s hard to imagine a trade down, so perhaps the Knicks look to flip assets and get back into the first round."
Use Your Imagination
Roling may have a hard time imagining the Knicks trading down from the eighth spot, but in New York anything is possible. Plus, after Lonzo Ball and De’Aaron Fox the point guard talent in the draft goes down a few notches.
Phil Jackson has two years to repair his legacy and a trade down could make strides in that effort.
Conventional wisdom says a team with multiple second-round picks and bench players would trade those assets for a late first-round pick. That same wisdom would also say a team president wouldn’t trash his best player in the media for an entire season, but Phil Jackson did just that.
Similarly, it isn’t a stretch to think Phil would trade out of the eighth slot if it meant getting Justin Jackson and other assets for the trade deadline.