New York Knicks forward Derrick Williams. (Photo : Getty Images)
Rumors have emerged that New York Knicks forward Derrick Williams could be traded to the Boston Celtics as Phil Jackson wants to own a pick in the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft.
New York should have three selections in the draft scheduled on June 23, the seventh, ninth, and 37th overall picks respectively, but they lost them all via past trades. Those transactions left them with only the free-agency market as an opportunity to improve their roster bannered by an aging Carmelo Anthony and incoming sophomore Kristaps Porzingis.
However, ESPN reported that the Knicks are planning "to acquire a pick in June's draft", which is said to be most likely a late first-rounder or a second-round choice.
According to the report, guards Yogi Ferrell of Indiana and Wayne Selden of Kansas are the apple of Jackson' eyes among the latest crop of NBA applicants. At 6-6, Selden is said to be a big guard similar to the likes of Ron Harper, who had been utilized by Jackson during his championship years in Chicago and LA while Ferrell, 6-0, is more of a traditional playmaker that can also shoot from the outside.
The team will not have a chance to get either of them if they are not participating on draft night and so Jackson is allegedly keen on claiming a pick for the Knicks before the draft.
Fansided suggested that the Celtics should trade their second round selection to the Knicks for valuable sub Derrick Williams as they "need help in their front court".
Porzingis and Robin Lopez are of course out of the question for a potential trade, unless Boston wants to give away the third overall pick and Isaiah Thomas, but the more realistic option would be Williams for the Celtics' 31st or 35th selections or both.
Boston has a surplus of draft picks this year as they have the third, 16th, and 23rd in the first round while also having the two mentioned picks above plus the 45th, 51st, and 58th selections and it would be easy for them to give up one or two for the chance to acquire a quality big man backup.
Williams, the second overall pick of the 2011 draft, was not given enough opportunities to showcase his wares at the Big Apple and a change of scenery may be needed for him to get his career back on track.
