Something worth noting for the Knicks as Thursday's NBA Draft approaches: teams in touch with the Memphis Grizzlies recently are under the impression that they would need to be presented with an incredibly strong offer to trade the No. 2 pick, per SNY sources.

Those teams believe the Grizzlies are happy with their draft position and the opportunity to select Murray State's Ja Morant, sources say. That scenario became all the more likely on Wednesday when Memphis agreed to trade Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz.

This is all relevant to the Knicks, of course, because they have the No. 3 pick, right after the Grizzlies. And teams have reportedly been calling Memphis about trades for the No. 2 pick.

Regarding the Knicks, opposing teams, agents of players expected to be selected in the top of the draft, and people in touch with the Knicks all say they will select RJ Barrett with the No. 3 pick if he's available.

New York has listened to offers to trade down in the draft as due diligence and it's logical to think that they will continue to listen to offers as the draft approaches. If they are blown away by an offer and decide to trade down, they've worked out and met with players who would be available at lower picks -- presumably to prepare themselves for such a scenario.

In addition to meeting with Morant, the Knicks have worked out Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver, Duke's Cam Reddish and Vanderbilt's Darius Garland -- all expected to be drafted after the No. 3 pick.

Garland, it should be noted, was ranked among the top three in some of the Knicks' recent draft boards, per league sources.

But, again, people on all sides of the conversation believe the Knicks will select Barrett if he is on the board at No. 3.

https://www.sny.tv/knicks/news/sources-grizzlies-would-need-to-be-blown-away-to-trade-no-2-draft-pick-knicks-locked-in-on-rj-barrett/308293332

Latest Rumblings:

.......there is more talk than ever on players with multiple years on contracts and picks. Said that New Orleans is being extremely active trying to move up and down the board. Said, the Hawks control the draft but Pels control the top half.

I do want to confirm, Pels want DeAndre Hunter but they want to move back from #4 to get him with hopes of enticing the Bulls.

He said the Bulls have interest in moving up only if the terms are reasonable. Lottery protected pick with 2nd round rollover which didn't sit well with NO.

He said NO wants to trade but not fall out of the top 8 and he doesn't see an avenue since no want to offer what they consider a great value.

Atlanta's 10/17 is out there for the taking he said like it's been out there. Said, no one will bite and doesn't think anyone will.

Says it will take a Luka like return to get them to move #4. Protected top #5 pick 2020. Their plans is to be ready when a Giannis or Beal becomes available via trade.

Said they are targeting Beal if he doesn't sign the EXT from Washington which by all reports, they will.

They even offered a deal to MEM to move up, also declined.

Wanted ATL to give 8/17, also declined.

Have been very aggressive during trade talks.

Says Cleveland is split on #5. Coach wants Hunter. Mentioned the team wants to give the coach what he needs so Hunter will be the pick, otherwise, it's Culver who the team also likes. Mention, Garland is in the mix.

Says PHX is locked into Coby White.

Says CHI #1 option is Garland and #2 is Culver. White is #3. They are split on four prospects: Hunter/Reddish/Little/Sekou. They do not want to end up without a guard option. They really really want Garland and there is some belief that he will fall to #7.

Says Hawks have one goal for the top 8. Land two 1sts in this range. It's unlikely at this point and they are likely to keep their 1sts at this stage.

Didn't speak on WAS

Said #10 is still shopped but they could keep the pick. 

Says MIN has real interest in #4 and the cost is very real for this draft. Very real. Says Goga will be the pick at #11 if it's NO.

Said nothing on CHA/MIA and BOS.

Said DET was looking for more picks and found a suitor. 

Said ORL is looking to add more picks as well.

Said IND is looking at all options. They are targeting Rubio and D. Russell and remember, Russell is from Louisville, KY which is close to Indy. The interest is real. Moving down is an option.

OKC is still shopping pick to move down or to get out of Dennis or Adams contract. Said suitors are low but their is interest in Roberson. Likely still the Hawks. 

Spurs are looking to move up in the lottery. Targeting Keldon Johnson if they stay at 19.

Philly is shopping 33/34 for a 1st

Atlanta is shopping 35/41 and mid tier cap space for a 1st. 

Said trades are expensive and he would not be surprised by the lack of trades in the draft and said, you might see some depending on who's available and at what spot. 

Doesn't expect fireworks this year. Salary and contracts are the theme of this draft. Teams want to clear cash or get 2nd rounders for salary reasons and don't see enough quality to look otherwise. 

Knicks have the third pick. We defied the odds. Moving down two spots never felt as good!!!! New draft rules now!!!

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1141820037466140673

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1141827686836375553

There goes the Pelicans trading up from 4. Will be very surprised if we dont draft Barrett.

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1141827686836375553

Weird trade. Good for Atlanta and their nice young nucleus.

GustavBahler wrote:

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1141827686836375553

There goes the Pelicans trading up from 4. Will be very surprised if we dont draft Barrett.