Knicks pick Spanish forward Sergio De Larrea after draft trade with Lakers

The newly minted NBA champions slightly delayed in making their first-round pick Tuesday night.The Knicks selected 20-year-old Spanish forward Sergio De Larrea with the No.25 pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft after moving down from No.

24 in a trade with the Lakers.The Lakers moved ahead of the Knicks to select Baylor guard Cameron Carr, and the Knicks received cash considerations, according to ESPN.De Larrea, a 6-foot-5 wing, averaged 9.7 points per game in 18.3 minutes for Valencia in Liga A this past season.After winning their first title in 53 years, there had been speculation of what the Knicks might do at No.24, with some mock drafts having the team keep their pick and others having them trade away hte pick.The Post’s Stefan Bondy predicted the Knicks to trade the 24th pick, citing that the team is watching its spending and a first-round pick would’ve been costly against the cap.

Bondy added that since the team just won a title, trading for future assets — which can be flipped for veterans — is a more valuable approach than adding a rookie.The Post’s Zach Braziller mocked Duke guard Isaiah Evans to the reigning champions.Some speculation centered on whether the Knicks could take a big man since Mitchell Robinson is set to become a free agent this offseason and it’s uncertain if he can return due to the second-apron penalties.Atlanta selected St.John’s big man Zuby Ejiofor one spot before the Knicks’ pick.The Knicks also could lose veteran reserve Landry Shamet for the same reason.Owner James Dolan said before the draft that he would not go into the second apron due to the associated penalties, which would force top executive Leon Rose to be creative to fill out he roster.The Knicks are already returning their entire starting five from the team that went 16-3 this postseason and downed the Spurs in five games in the Finals to win the franchise’s first title since 1973....