Draft Pick Clarification

by Andrew Smith on November 24th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

I’ve been asked several times over the last few weeks the situation regarding the infamous draft pick that the Knicks owe to the Utah Jazz.

In January 2004, we traded Howard Eisley, Maciej Lampe, Antonio McDyess, Milos Vujanic, Charlie Ward, a 2004-first round pick, and a CONDITIONAL FIRST-ROUND PICK to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Penny Hardaway, Stephon Marbury, and Cezary Trybanski.

One month later, the Suns dealt Tom Gugliotta and three draft picks (one of which was the Knicks’ pick) to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Keon Clark and Ben Handlogten (Who?)

So, now the pick is owned by Utah, and here is how the conditional aspect of the pick works. If the Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals this year it would guarantee them a slot in this June’s draft between 22 and 30. This would automatically send the pick to Utah. This will not happen, so the Knicks will keep the pick for 2009, and their 2010 pick automatically goes to Utah.

The key to negotiations is conceding to some of the other side’s demands, while making sure that your team gets something beneficial. It really takes an amazing skill of completely failing in negotiations to agree to this condition. Honestly, you have to really make a conscious effort to screw your organization to include a ridiculous clause like this.
  • LosingIsiah

    Who needs a pick in 2010 when we are making room for Leron!! lol

  • kingofk1ngs

    if the knicks get pick 21 say, do they have the option of giving it to the Jazz this year and keeping there 2010 pick or is it not up to them?

  • http://theknicksblog.com Andrew Smith

    It’s not up to either team. It’s an automatic clause. If the Knicks select between 22-30 in this year’s draft, the pick automatically goes to the Jazz. If it’s between 1-21, the Knicks keep the pick in 2009 and their 2010 pick automatically goes to Utah.

  • oc410

    Man I miss you Isiah. Genius negotiating skills.

  • americanbear

    Andrew, thanks for the clarification, I’ve been trying to understand this for a long time.

    The last couple years I was mad at Isiah for not “paying off the debt” they owed to Utah- at least now I know he didn’t have that option.

    Also good to know draft seeding is based on playoff performance as opposed to W-L record. I think there is zero chance the Knicks end up with one of the 8 best records in the league, however I think they have a good shot at getting in at the 7th or 8th seed and crazy things can happen in the playoffs.