Jeff Hornacek publicly questioned if the New York Knicks have the talent to improve on defense. A number of players on the trade market may be able to help.
The New York Knicks are 17-21 overall, 11-8 at home, and 6-13 on the road. The Knicks have gone 1-8 since opening the regular season at 16-13, which directly coincides with their falling apart on the defensive end of the floor.
As the Knicks search for answers, it’s only fair to evaluate the options on the defensive end of the floor.
New York has allowed at least 100 points in 33 of 38 games during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. It’s allowed at least 105 points in 22 different games and has let up at least 110 points in 20 separate outings.
New York has even let up 115 points in 11 of the first 38 games and allowed at least 120 points in two of the past six showings.
Overall, the Knicks rank No. 25 in the NBA in points allowed per game and No. 26 in points allowed per 100 possessions. It’s been an abhorrent season on the defensive end of the floor. Worst of all, one could rationally question if there’s an internal fix.
The question is: which defensive players could be the answer for the Knicks on the trade market? There are quite a few players to consider.
Tony Allen
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 34 (1/11/1982)
Experience: 13th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .486/.294/.672
2016-17 Season Averages: 27.7 MPG, 10.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.5 ORPG, 1.0 APG, 1.8 SPG
If the New York Knicks are looking for a perimeter defender who can lock down multiple positions, then there’s no better option than Tony Allen. He’ll turn 35 years of age on Jan. 11, but Allen remains one of the premier on-ball defenders in the NBA.
A five-time All-Defensive Team honoree and former NBA champion, Allen is the most decorated defensive player on the market.
Allen, whom Kobe Bryant singled out as the toughest defender he’s ever played against, would be a massive acquisition for the Knicks. His erratic jump shot is a concern, but he has an uncanny ability to strip players of the ball and turn it into points on the other end.
Allen is currently No. 4 in the NBA with 3.11 steals per 48 minutes.
More importantly, he’s holding opponents to 41.0 percent shooting from the field and 31.8 percent shooting from 3-point range.
New York has struggled to defend the 3-ball in big games, which establishes Allen’s potential value. It’s also No. 29 in the NBA in points via turnovers per game, which establishes why Allen’s ability to create turnovers is so critical to note
With an expiring contract and a hunger to win a second ring, Allen could be the leader New York needs along the defensive perimeter.
Paul Millsap
Position: Power Forward
Age: 31 (2/10/1985)
Experience: 11th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .444/.318/.760
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.1 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.7 ORPG, 3.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.1 3PM
The term elite shouldn’t be thrown around lightly, but three-time All-Star Paul Millsap may deserve it on the defensive end of the floor. In 2015-16, Millsap was named to the All-Defensive Second Team after leading the Atlanta Hawks to a No. 2 ranking in defensive efficiency.
Thus far in 2016-17, he’s No. 5 in the NBA in Defensive Real Plus-Minus and No. 2 amongst power forwards. With an expiring contract, however, he could be on the move.
Story posting soon with @WindhorstESPN: ESPN sources say the Hawks have begun listening to trade offers for free agent-to-be Paul Millsap
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 1, 2017
Millsap would be an excellent fit alongside Kristaps Porzingis, who could make the move to center. Millsap has the length and power to defend post players at the 5, thus alleviating a physical burden from Porzingis.
He also has the range and athleticism to switch on the pick and roll, step out onto shooters, and get back and solidify New York’s transition defense.
Millsap is easily the best offensive player on this list, as well as one of the Top 25 overall players in the NBA. If New York can swing a move for Millsap, it would be hard to blame team president Phil Jackson for doing so.
For perspective, Atlanta is allowing 100.1 points per 100 possessions with Millsap on the court and 108.0 without him in 2016-17.
Nerlens Noel
Position: Forward/Center
Age: 22 (4/10/1994)
Experience: 3rd Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .581/.000/.615
2016-17 Season Averages: 11.6 MPG, 6.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.1 ORPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Nerlens Noel is relatively unproven as an NBA player, but the signs of defensive brilliance have been clear. He’s an athletic big man with the range, instincts as a shot-blocker, and active hands to make an instant impact on defense.
It’d be hard to justify the New York Knicks building a defensive interior with a pair of thin big men, but it’d be ignorant to pretend Noel isn’t available.
Colangelo on Noel: "He is a young, talented prospect that we are trying to determine whether or not he’s a fit for this roster."
— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) December 19, 2016
Noel has been one of the most commonly referenced names in trade rumors for close to a year. It started with mere speculation after the Philadelphia 76ers selected four players at the same two positions with lottery picks: Joel Embiid, Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and Dario Saric.
The rumors grew stronger as the 2016-17 NBA regular season neared. They remain persistent as the trade deadline approaches.
As for what Noel brings to the table, he boasts career averages of 6.8 defensive rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 2.0 blocks per 36 minutes. Those averages alone lend credence to the belief that he can put his 7’4″ wingspan to use as a defensive anchor.
Noel may not be worth the asking price, nor the player whom the Knicks need at power forward or center, but his upside shouldn’t be entirely disregarded.
Thabo Sefolosha
Position: Small Forward
Age: 32 (5/2/1984)
Experience: 11th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .469/.317/.756
2016-17 Season Averages: 25.8 MPG, 7.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.6 3PM
Thabo Sefolosha is in his 11th NBA season. The fact that he’s still playing significant minutes on a postseason-caliber team at 32 years of age is a testament to just how far his defensive prowess has taken him.
Though the recent spat between Sefolosha and New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony implies this trade won’t happen, Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN report that the Atlanta Hawks are fielding offers for the 32-year-old swingman.
"Sources told ESPN.com that the Hawks, fearful of losing Millsap in free agency without compensation in the summer, are not openly shopping him but are taking calls on the 31-year-old and other pending free agents, notably sharpshooter Kyle Korver and swingman Thabo Sefolosha."
If Anthony and Sefolosha can put their issues behind them, then they could form an exceptional duo at small forward.
Sefolosha is widely regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. He has the size and length to defend players at the 2 and 3, as well as the active hands and physicality to disrupt a go-to scorer’s rhythm.
That much is evident in the fact that Sefolosha currently leads the NBA with 3.54 steals per 48 minutes. He generates a healthy amount of that production during on-ball situations.
Sefolosha is on an expiring contract that makes him an ideal rental for the Knicks. He’s making $3,850,000 in 2016-17, which creates room for flexibility in designing a trade package to offer to Atlanta.
With 88 games of postseason experience and 69 starts in the playoffs, Sefolosha could help the Knicks prepare for a long-awaited push towards the next level.
Must Read: Five reasons to pursue Paul Millsap
None of these players will be easy to acquire, nor is a deal imminent, but one thing is clear: Jeff Hornacek knows how vital it is for the Knicks to improve on defense.