New York Knicks Make Trade With Trail Blazers For Intriguing Prospect

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the New York Knicks have made a trade.

Jul 29, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Keon Johnson (Tennessee) walks off the stage after being selected as the number twenty-one overall pick by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: The trade is official.

.@nyknicks Second-Round Draft Day Transactions pic.twitter.com/NGKUZIJJoa

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) June 28, 2024

Tyler Kolek is coming off a productive season where he was among the best guards in the country.

The former Marquette star finished the year with averages of 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 49.6% from the field and 38.8% from the three-point range in 31 games.

He had been seen by many as a potential first-round pick, but he was still available when Thursday's second-round began.

Mar 29, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Tyler Kolek (11) dribbles during the first half in the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers had the 34th pick, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the New York Knicks acquired the selection to take Kolek.

Via Wojnarowski: "The Knicks are sending the Blazers future second-round picks for Tyler Kolek at No. 34, per source."

The Knicks are sending the Blazers future second-round picks for Tyler Kolek at No. 34, per source.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2024

SNY's Ian Begley reported more details.

Via Begley: "NYK gets Tyler Kolek at No. 34, obtaining pick in exchange for draft compensation, source confirms. Kolek was expected by some teams to be gone at No. 34. At 23, Kolek is one of the oldest players in draft. Knicks add depth at guard position."

Correction, apologies for error: NYK gets Tyler Kolek at No. 34, obtaining pick in exchange for draft compensation, source confirms. Kolek was expected by some teams to be gone at No. 34. At 23, Kolek is one of the oldest players in draft. Knicks add depth at guard position.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 27, 2024

The Knicks continue to make win-now moves heading into the 2024-25 season.

Earlier this week, Wojnarowski reported that the team re-signed OG Anunoby and traded for Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges,

May 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau during a timeout against the Philadelphia 76ers in game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Knicks finished this past season as the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50-32 record.

They lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs (in seven games).

Tyler Kolek is the best pick-and-roll point guard in college basketball, an elite ball handler who plays with phenomenal pace and has tremendous timing, creativity and feel reading defenses and whipping passes all over the floor. pic.twitter.com/Z28gcf9wFU

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 28, 2023

It's fair to point out that the Knicks dealt with a lot of injuries, so a healthy roster would likely make them a contender.