Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros, Cons Of Targeting Thabo Sefolosha

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Nov 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) defends in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Atlanta Hawks beat the Indiana Pacers 96-85. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Expiring Contract

The most attractive aspect of a move for a role player at the trade deadline is the flexibility enabled by an expiring contract. It’s not as though teams aim to lose all players they trade for, but instead that no player is guaranteed to fit with a new team.

In the case of the New York Knicks, the risk of trading for Thabo Sefolosha would be minimized by his expiring contract.

Sefolosha is making $3,850,000 in 2016-17, which is an easy enough figure to match in a potential trade. 2016-17 is the final season on the three-year deal he signed in 2014-15 worth $12 million.

Re-signing Sefolosha could prove problematic due to the fact New York has a number of pending free agents on the roster, but if he doesn’t fit, letting him walk would be ideal.

Sefolosha is the type of defensive player who can elevate the impact of those around him. For that reason, it’s fair to believe that acquiring him would help the Knicks improve as a team and thus give Kristaps Porzingis the postseason experience he needs.

That alone is reason to accept the possibility of Sefolosha leaving via free agency in the event of a better contract offer coming his way.

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