When the New York Knicks pulled the trigger on a deal that sent Dalen Terry and two first-round picks to the New Orleans Pelicans, the headline was all about Jose Alvarado. And rightfully so - Alvarado brings a gritty, defensive-minded presence to the backcourt that fits the Knicks’ identity like a glove. But tucked into the fine print of that trade was something a little more obscure: the draft rights to Latavious Williams.
Now, if you’re thinking, *Wait, Latavious Williams? The guy drafted back in 2010 who never played a minute in the NBA?
- you’re not alone. Williams, now 36 and suiting up in Taiwan’s SBL, isn’t suddenly going to walk through Madison Square Garden’s tunnel and change the trajectory of the Knicks’ season.
But that’s not the point. His inclusion in the deal wasn’t about what he can do on the court - it was about what his draft rights can do off of it.
The Hidden Value of Forgotten Draft Rights
Here’s where things get interesting. In the NBA’s increasingly complex trade landscape - especially under the new collective bargaining agreement - even the smallest pieces can play a big role.
Draft rights to players like Williams are essentially placeholders. They’re not expected to contribute on the floor, but they help grease the wheels of multi-team trades.
In any trade involving three or more teams, every franchise involved must send and receive something. That’s a logistical hurdle that can stall or even kill a deal.
But when a team has a stash of draft rights like the Knicks do, they can meet that requirement without giving up a live asset - like a young player or even a second-round pick. Think of it like a chess piece that doesn't move much, but helps you set up a checkmate.
That’s exactly what the Knicks are doing here. They’re building a toolbox of low-stakes trade assets - and Williams is just the latest addition.
It’s not flashy, but it’s smart. A top-55-protected second-rounder might be just as unlikely to convey, but it still holds more perceived value in trade talks.
Draft rights? They’re the ultimate low-cost, low-risk chip.
Why This Matters for the Knicks’ Future
This isn’t just a quirky front-office habit - it’s a strategic move that could come into play sooner than later. If the Knicks re-sign Mitchell Robinson this offseason, they’re projected to cross into second-apron territory under the CBA. And that changes everything.
Once a team crosses that second apron, they’re handcuffed in trades. They can’t aggregate salaries, which means they can’t bundle multiple players together to match a bigger incoming contract.
That’s where draft rights become a workaround. Since they don’t count as salary, the Knicks can include as many of them as needed to satisfy trade rules without violating apron restrictions.
Even if they stay just under the apron, they’ll still face limitations on how much salary they can take back in a trade. Again, draft rights come in handy - they allow the Knicks to “touch” every team in a multi-team deal without needing to add more salary to the books.
This might sound like cap gymnastics - and it is - but it’s the kind of maneuvering that separates well-run front offices from the rest. In the current NBA climate, where three- and four-team trades are becoming more common, having these tools on hand matters. The Knicks are playing the long game, and they’re doing it with a clear understanding of the league’s financial terrain.
Don’t Be Surprised If These Moves Pay Off
We’ve seen this kind of thinking before. Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti - the master of asset accumulation - recently acquired the draft rights to Balsa Koprivica from the Jazz.
Koprivica isn’t expected to suit up for OKC anytime soon, but his rights could be used in a future trade. It’s the same principle: stack the deck with assets that help you stay flexible.
So when the Knicks start making moves this summer - and let’s be honest, they’re poised for something big - don’t be shocked if Latavious Williams’ name pops up again. Not because he’s coming to New York to play, but because his draft rights help the Knicks pull off something bigger.
In a league where every dollar, every clause, and every asset matters, even the most forgotten names can have their moment. Latavious Williams might never wear a Knicks jersey, but his rights could help them land someone who will - and someone who matters.