You don't trade a swing at a superstar on a rookie contract for 2 lower picks in this league. Many don't grasp that - maybe even some GM's.
Uh the Hawks did just that last year!
All depends on what you think of the player in question and the guys you get when trading down.
I'll give you that. The thing is you tick off your fan base, at least initially, which affects marketing & ticket sales.
You need an owner who's able to see the big picture. Whenever you get a pick on the top 3 everyone's excited - especially this year when there are allegedly 3 potential superstars in the draft.
And with it being the Knicks who have the pick, it may wind up being the only real asset they pick up. If they strike out in free agency and then trade out of a top 3 pick on top of that - the season ticket holders will have the pitchforks out for Dolan.