Report: Could New York Knicks Trade Lottery Pick for Kevin Durant or Kevin Love?

New York Knicks fans can finally look forward to the benefits of the team's worst season in franchise history (17-65).

Come June 26, the Knicks are guaranteed one of the top-five picks in the NBA draft. But the debate over whether New York should pick Kentucky's big man Karl-Anthony Towns or Duke's center Jahlil Okafor with the potential first overall pick is not the topic of discussion in a recent rumor around the league.

One NBA executive told Newsday's Al Iannazzone that the Knicks could pursue a superstar such as Kevin Durant or Kevin Love if they're willing to trade the draft pick.

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Although Jackson and general manager Steve Mills, during a “town hall” with season-ticket holders two weeks ago, seemed to give indications that the Knicks are unlikely to trade the pick, some league insiders say the Knicks could consider doing so to become competitive immediately. Otherwise, the fix might not be as quick.

“They could try to trade it for Kevin Durant,” one NBA executive said. “Or maybe Kevin Love. Cleveland probably would do that."

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Durant has been sidelined for the remainder of the this season after undergoing bone graft foot surgery in March. The Knicks would have to consider the impact of this injury if the trade even becomes a possibility.

Former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming had a similar injury to his foot, and his career was never the same.

Durant is still under contract for one more season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Love will be a free agent this summer.

It's also worth questioning how Carmelo Anthony would mix with another forward like Durant or Love, considering how he and Amar'e Stoudemire could never contend for a title together in New York. 

Other options in the draft with a top-five pick include two young point guards. Sharpshooter D'Angelo Russell from Ohio State and Congo's athletic Emmanuel Mudiay are both projected to be picked within the top five in Derek Bodner's recent mock draft for USA Today.

The Knicks have lacked consistent point guard production since John Starks played his last game in orange and blue in 1998. According to ESPN New York's Ian Begley, Anthony doesn't think a younger point guard will provide instant improvement.

"I think with younger point guards now coming out of college, that position is a little tougher to come in and be effective right away," Anthony told Begley. "The guards in this league that we have right now is out of this world. They're at the top of their game right now."

Whatever the Knicks decide to do with the draft pick, Phil Jackson seems to think that the pick can bring change to Madison Square Garden, according to Newsday's Iannazzone.

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Jackson said a No. 1 pick "can move the whole organization." Patrick Ewing did that for the Knicks 30 years ago. But now that most star players leave college after one year and there are few guaranteed franchise players like Ewing in the draft, Jackson has to listen to offers. "You have to sit back and see what comes toward you," he said.

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Chris Corso can be followed on Twitter @CACorso.