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Knicks Trade Rumors: Monitoring Trade Activity Around The NBA

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 4, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) drives past New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) drives past New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi (18) drives between Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) and forward Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi (18) drives between Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) and forward Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings

Position: Small Forward
Age: 28 (6/22/1988)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .444/.278/.714
2016-17 Season Averages: 18.3 MPG, 5.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.8 ORPG, 1.3 APG

The New York Knicks don’t need Omri Casspi, but he’s a player with a skill set that fits Jeff Hornacek’s system and could land him a spot in an Eastern Conference rotation. That makes him a player whom the Knicks should monitor once December 15 rolls around.

Casspi wouldn’t be worth giving up the mortgage for, but if he’s going to leave Sacramento in the near future, the Knicks should at least know what the asking price is.

Casspi is a 6’9″ matchup nightmare of a small forward with deep 3-point range and a high release point. His ability to consistently space the floor was further established in 2015-16, when he made 112 3-point field goals on 40.9 percent shooting from distance.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, it’s only a matter of time before Casspi is moved.

"The closest thing to a trade lock in the California capital is the exit of the popular Casspi, whose representatives have been blessed by the Kings to search out potential deals now that the versatile swingman — coming off the best year of his career — has been exiled from the rotation by new coach Dave Joerger."

Casspi has been inefficient in 2016-17, but his discontent is likely playing a role in his underwhelming performances.

Casspi could be the type of one-year rental who enables the Knicks to explore different small-ball rotations with minimal risk. He could play the 4 in a pinch or the 3 full-time, which is an intriguing versatility for a player who can shoot as well as he.

The Knicks have no reason to trade for Casspi if Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Lance Thomas continue to excel, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored come December 15.

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