NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks’ Most Realistic Trade Targets

Brandon Jennings, Detroit Pistons

Position: Point Guard

Age: 26

2015-16 Salary: $8,344,497

Contract Expires: 2016

Slash Line: .373/.312/.711

Season Averages: 18.1 MPG, 6.8 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.0 RPG, 0.5 SPG, 1.0 3PM

It’s no secret that the New York Knicks covet Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings. Even before he returned from a torn Achilles tendon, Phil Jackson was reportedly interested in acquiring the 26-year-old and his expiring contract.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Knicks have been keeping a close eye on Jennings’ progress since returning from injury.

"The Knicks have also been monitoring the play of Detroit guard Brandon Jennings, who returned from an Achilles injury in late December, sources said."

The question, of course, is a matter of capability; can the Knicks offer enough to land Jennings without hurting their own roster?

On the surface, Jennings hasn’t played well; averages of 6.8 points and 3.0 assists in 18.1 minutes are evidence enough. There have been flashes of his former self, however, including his 22 points in 22 minutes against the Toronto Raptors on January 30, and a 16-point outing on a recent February 10.

Jennings also had 11 points in 16 minutes on February 4—a game that was played against the Knicks.

Any trade for Jennings will include a severe measure of risk due to the uncertainty surrounding his post-injury play. Chances are, it’d cost either Langston Galloway or Jerian Grant to get a deal done, which is unlikely to sit well with Knicks fans if Jennings doesn’t live up to the hype.

As New York drifts further away from the postseason and inconsistency at point guard becomes a more glaring flaw, a deal may be inevitable.

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