Knicks Trade Rumors: Realistic Trades That Could Save The Season
A Swap With The Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks need an improvement at the backup point guard position and the New York Knicks need defense. That creates the potential for a swap that would be mutually beneficial if the rumors hold true.
According to Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN, the Hawks are reportedly open to the possibility of trading players on expiring contracts, including Thabo Sefolosha.
"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."
That creates an intriguing possibility for the Knicks and Hawks to execute a mutually beneficial swap.
Losing Jennings would be tough, but you have to give something to get something.
For Atlanta, Jennings would be an upgrade over Malcolm Delaney as a backup to starting point guard Dennis Schröder. Jennings has the invaluable ability to facilitate the offense, is still capable of spacing the floor, and may be the proper system away from a resurgence.
As for the Knicks, the acquisition of Sefolosha would help stabilize the defense.
Sefolosha is averaging 1.8 steals per game—No. 8 in the NBA—and New York ranks No. 23 in the same statistic as a team. Sefolosha is also a smothering defender who can pick up players off the inbound and make life hell for even the best of scorers.
The Knicks are in desperate need of players who can create turnovers and contain No. 1 scoring threats, which makes Sefolosha the perfect target.