Atlanta Hawks Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, G Derrick Rose, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F/C John Collins, F De’Andre Hunter, 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2025 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2027 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2029 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
Furthermore, when major risks are taken in the NBA these days, it usually is first-round picks that are used to wager.
Draft capital has become the currency of the NBA. If you have a surplus of picks, you have the means to acquire a star. On the other hand, if you have a star, and they request a trade, at least you have the means to acquire a surplus of picks.
For evidence, look no further than this year’s offseason. We already outlined the Gobert trade, and the same Utah Jazz landed three more first-rounders along with two pick swaps for Donovan Mitchell.
Of course, the Jazz weren’t the only team to swap a star for draft capital. The San Antonio Spurs received three first-round picks in exchange for Dejounte Murray.
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Draft capital has obvious value. It allows a team to handpick their potential core players. Moreover, drafting a star allows you to rebuild organically, as, barring a trade demand, you’ve got them under team control for seven years.
This deal sure has the Timberwolves receiving a lot of draft capital. Is it enough to part with Karl-Anthony Towns?