New York Knicks guard Kemba Walker. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
The New York Knicks were active on NBA Draft night but they left pretty much everyone confused with their moves surrounding Jalen Duren and others.
What the heck just happened?
Knicks fans and just about everyone else keeping track of the NBA Draft were asking that while trying to make sense of what exactly the franchise was trying to accomplish on Thursday night.
Just as rumors of New York making a run at trading for Detroit No. 5 selection, Jaden Ivey, the Knicks appeared to make a move that got everyone excited…and then had them scratching their heads.
So here’s how it all went down.
The confusion started when Shams Charania reported that the Knicks acquired No. 13 pick, Jalen Duren, from the Hornets in practically the same second that Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Pistons had picked up Duren themselves.
Charania then added that Kemba Walker was heading from New York to the Pistons along with Duren.
That means a three-team trade essentially resulted in the Hornets getting draft picks while the Pistons got Duren and the Knicks dumped Kemba Walker’s contract.
For a second there, it seemed as though New York might pull off an Ivey trade, using picks they got from trading their No. 11 pick to Oklahoma City along with Duren to get their guy. Instead, Detroit ended up with both players and fans were left speechless.
Knicks fans were put through the wringer on NBA Draft night
Once the dust settled, that seem like a whole lot of to do for the Knicks to shed just $8 million in salary.
New York’s rush to cut salary appears linked to their pursuit of Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson. The pressure will now hit hard with fans expecting a big move to justify possibly getting fleeced by the Pistons.