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NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks’ Most Realistic Trade Targets

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson (7) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson (7) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

J.J. Hickson, Denver Nuggets

Position: Forward/Center

Age: 27

2015-16 Salary: $5,613,500

Contract Expires: 2016

Slash Line: .505/.000/.458

Season Averages: 15.3 MPG, 6.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.1 ORPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 BPG

The Denver Nuggets have overloaded their roster with young and promising big men. At the center position alone, the likes of Nikola Jokic, Joffrey Lauvergne, and Jusuf Nurkic have all been heralded for their upside and immediate value, thus creating a logjam as far as minutes are concerned.

According to Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post, the Nuggets are actively seeking suitors for the odd man out: nightly double-double threat J.J. Hickson.

"The Nuggets have been trying to trade Hickson for the better part of the past month, attempting to get him into a better situation to continue what should be many more years left in his NBA career. He has been suffering on the bench for most of this season while the Nuggets, stuffed with too many capable players in the frontcourt, go through a youth movement with their bigs."

Hickson, a positionally versatile 27-year-old on an expiring contract, is certain to have suitors at the deadline.

Hickson’s season averages are underwhelming, but his per 36 numbers are quite impressive. On a per 36 minute basis, Hickson is averaging 16.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.6 offensive boards, 1.9 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals on 50.5 percent shooting from the field.

That isn’t too far off from what he was doing before Denver crowded its frontcourt with power forwards and centers.

For New York, Hickson could be a welcome addition. Kyle O’Quinn and Kevin Seraphin have underwhelmed, and Hickson proved in 2012-13 and 2013-14 that he could be a valuable player, posting collective averages of 12.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.2 offensive boards per game.

With Hickson’s contract set to expire after the 2015-16 NBA season, this would be a low-risk, high-reward move for the Knicks.

Next: Healthy Again

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