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Knicks Trade Rumors: Five Reasons To Pursue Maurice Harkless

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) dunks the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won 119-104. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) dunks the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won 119-104. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Friendly Contract

The New York Knicks are approaching an offseason of limited cap space and restricted flexibility. With the lofty contracts handed out to the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Courtney Lee, and Joakim Noah, immediate upgrades will be tough to find through free agency.

If the Knicks manage to execute a trade for Maurice Harkless, then Phil Jackson will have effectively found a bargain deal for a quality player.

Harkless has three years and $31,011,236 remaining on his current contract. He’s admittedly shown brief glimpses of deserving the contract, but he’s regarded as a hard worker who’s coming off of a breakout campaign.

If Harkless can provide quality contributions at the forward positions, then a move for him would be one of the best financial decisions of the Jackson campaign.

At 24 years of age, Harkless is both affordable and promising. New York’s best decisions under Jackson have been of a future-oriented nature, including the drafting of Willy Hernangomez and Kristaps Porzingis, and the signings of Mindaugus Kuzminskas and Kyle O’Quinn.

Harkless would fall in line with moves of a promising nature, and that alone is reason to pursue this enticing possibility.

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