Knicks Trade Rumors: Defensive-Minded Options As Deadline Nears

If the New York Knicks are going to turn the season around, the key will be defense. Which trade options should the Knicks consider before the deadline?

The New York Knicks are approaching the 2017 NBA trade deadline with as much to gain as any team in the NBA. The postseason remains within reach, but New York’s current roster has created doubt amongst those who once believed this could be a playoff team.

If the Knicks are going to salvage a once promising season, team president Phil Jackson may need to execute a trade to solidify the defense.

New York is No. 25 in the NBA with an average of 109.4 points allowed per game. It’s also No. 23 in the Association with 108.7 points allowed per 100 possessions and No. 24 in free throw attempts allowed per game.

The defense has made minor improvements over the course of the season, but in the face of adversity, it’s seemed to regress.

The promising news for New York is that there are a number of high-quality trade options who project to be available at or before the deadline. Thus, if the goal is to return to winning form in 2016-17, help will be available.

The question is: who are the best available trade options for a New York Knicks team that desperately needs to solidify its defense?