New York Knicks

Report: Knicks considering trading down for Cameron Payne or Trey Lyles

Published Jun. 8, 2015 3:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Knicks have the fourth pick in the upcoming NBA draft, but maybe not for long. So many rumors have already started to surround the Knicks first-round selection, but now, more concrete reports are surfacing that New York could trade down and take one of two specific prospects it has its eye on.

More from Yaron Weitzman at SB Nation:

Payne averaged 20.2 points and 6.0 assists during a three-point-heavy sophomore season at Murray State. Lyles averaged 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds during his sole year playing for John Calipari at Kentucky.

(H/t to SB Nation for the find.)

Photo Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

The Knicks, who own the No. 4 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, are intrigued by Murray State point guard Cameron Payne and are seriously considering trading down in order to select him, according to ESPN New York's Ian Begley.

Payne, a 6'2 lead guard, is projected to go in the middle of the first round. Draft Express has him at No. 14, while ESPN's Chad Ford has him at No. 11. This means that if the Knicks decide to draft him, they'd likely trade down first.

This report comes just days after the New York Daily News' Frank Isola reported that the Knicks have become "enamored" with Kentucky big man Trey Lyles, another player projected to be selected closer to the middle of the first round.

Why trading down in the draft makes sense for the Knicks

The No. 4 pick is a bad spot to be in this draft. There are two stud big men available (Karl Anthony-Towns and Jahlil Okafor) as well as one point guard (D'Angelo Russell) that most analysts believe will eventually develop into a high-caliber NBA player. After that, there are a bunch of unknowns.