The New York Knicks acquired Spanish teenager Sergio De Larrea through a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2026 NBA Draft [1].
The move allows the Knicks to add a young international prospect to their roster while managing the financial constraints associated with first-round draft salaries. By navigating the draft through trades, the organization is attempting to optimize its cap space and talent acquisition strategy.
According to reports, the Lakers selected De Larrea with the No. 25 overall pick [1], [3]. He and cash considerations then moved to the Knicks as part of the agreement [4].
Knicks president Leon Rose facilitated the strategy by trading the No. 24 pick [5]. This specific maneuver was designed to avoid taking on a first-round salary immediately, instead securing De Larrea and the accompanying cash via the Lakers [5].
"The Los Angeles Lakers will select Sergio De Larrea with the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft," Michael Scotto said, noting that the player and cash considerations were heading to New York [4].
While some reports suggest the Knicks briefly selected the player before flipping him in a separate trade, other sources indicate the acquisition was the primary result of the Lakers deal [2], [6]. The 2026 draft continues to see high activity among teams seeking versatile international talent to bolster their depth [1], [2].
“The New York Knicks acquired Spanish teenager Sergio De Larrea through a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.”
This transaction highlights a strategic approach to the NBA salary cap, where teams use trades to acquire specific players while avoiding the fixed rookie scale contracts tied to certain draft slots. By utilizing the Lakers as an intermediary for the No. 25 pick, the Knicks managed to secure a targeted international asset and cash without the immediate financial burden of the No. 24 selection.
