The New York Knicks have eyes on the trio of Kentucky C Karl-Anthony Towns, Duke C Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State PG D'Angelo Russell with the #4 selection in the 2015 NBA Draft.
However, the Philadelphia 76ers sit just ahead of New York at #3 and reportedly will block the Knicks from selecting one of the aforementioned three if the top two go as many predict.
Via Marc Berman of the New York Post:
According to a league source, the Sixers, who pick third, still have a firm Big 3 of Karl-Anthony Towns, Russell and Okafor and won’t let any of the trio slip to Phil Jackson. Despite their young, marquee depth up front, the Sixers would take Okafor even if it’s to collect an asset to trade later.
Speculation that Russell is trying to avoid being picked by the moribund Sixers escalated when he canceled workouts with them this weekend. There also were rumblings that perhaps the Lakers, after working Russell out, had given the Ohio State combo guard a guarantee at No. 2. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported he was just “real sick’’ and a Sixers workout could be rescheduled. Russell has told reporters he also has agreed to work out for the Knicks.
The Knicks' best bet to secure either Towns, Russell or Okafor is for a fast-rising prospect like Emmanuel Mudiay or Kristaps Porzingis to go to the Lakers at #2, leaving one of the coveted three on the board for New York to draft.
Otherwise, the 76ers will at the very least have trade ammunition to pawn off to the highest bidder, Knicks or not.
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