The New York Knicks are searching for a point guard to complement Frank Ntilikina. Who could the Knicks realistically acquire via trade?
The New York Knicks introduced new general manager Scott Perry on Monday, July 17. During the introductory press conference, Perry, along with president Steve Mills and head coach Jeff Hornacek, discussed the vision for the team.
One of the most significant revelations to come from those fascinating 45 minutes was that New York is in the market for a veteran point guard.
Scott Perry says he thinks the Knicks could use a veteran at point guard to help rookie Frank Ntilikina.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 17, 2017
It’s hardly surprising, but Perry publicly confirmed the working theory that New York was in the market for a veteran at the playmaking position.
New York has a promising young player at point guard in European phenom Frank Ntilikina. The Knicks selected Ntilikina at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, and are of the belief that he could be a high-quality two-way player.
Widely regarded as the best defensive guard in this draft class, Ntilikina could be a crucial contributor to New York’s long-term rebuild.
With Ntilikina labeled as a relatively raw player, however, the Knicks have a need for a short-term fix. In the pursuit of a veteran point guard, the front office is now facing the harsh reality that minimal cap space remains.
The question is: With limited cap space, who might the New York Knicks be able to build with or around in the event of a trade for a point guard?
Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns
Age: 27 (12/9/1989)
Experience: 7 Seasons
2016-17 Slash Line: .434/.335/.847
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.0 MPG, 21.1 PPG, 6.3 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 1.6 3PM
The New York Knicks have reached out to the Phoenix Suns about the potential availability of point guard Eric Bledsoe. It will be difficult to trade for a player of Bledsoe’s magnitude, but if New York can pull it off, it would be a dream scenario.
New York wants a veteran point guard who can drive the lane, defend at a respectable level, and space the floor, and Bledsoe checks all three boxes.
Bledsoe is amongst the most well-rounded players in the NBA. He’s an elite slasher, an acceptable shooter with 3-point range, a quality facilitator, a productive rebounder, and a capable defensive player who has thrived in a lockdown role before.
With a top-flight skill—driving—and an at least average skill level in literally every other area, Bledsoe has the tools to consistently contribute at a high level.
The X-Factor here is that Bledsoe spent the better part of three seasons playing for current Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek. He posted tremendous years under Hornacek in 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16, and could build upon his best campaign yet, 2016-17, in New York.
Bledsoe ranked No. 11 in the NBA in points via drives per game in 2016-17, and shot better on the drive than all but three players ahead of him.
That makes him the perfect complement to Frank Ntilikina, who needs a slashing complement at the position.
Jerian Grant, Chicago Bulls
Age: 24 (10/9/1993)
Experience: 2 Seasons
2016-17 Slash Line: .425/.366/.890
2016-17 Season Averages: 16.3 MPG, 5.9 PPG, 1.9 APG, 1.8 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 3PM
The fact that the New York Knicks brought Tim Hardaway Jr. back is a sign of how open the organization is to revisiting the past. Knowing that to be true, the Knicks have a chance to take another player whom they drafted: Jerian Grant.
Grant may not be a veteran, but he’s coming off of a quietly excellent season on the defensive end of the floor—a promising sign.
Due to the fact that Chicago now has Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Cameron Payne on the roster, Grant is the odd man out at point guard. Thus, the Knicks could potentially buy low and acquire a developable young talent for a minimal cost.
If that proves to be the case, then reacquiring Grant could be worth the price of business.
The cost projects to be minimal due to the reality that Chicago would have minimal leverage in potential trade negotiations.
Grant finished the 2016-17 NBA regular season at No. 6 amongst point guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus (1.07). He also had a positive Offensive RPM, which is a reflection of how valuable he’s become as a team-first player.
For what it’s worth: Grant averaged 14.0 points, 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 2.3 3-point field goals made per 36 minutes on a slash line of .481/.405/.786 after the All-Star Break.
Devin Harris, Dallas Mavericks
Age: 34 (2/27/1983)
Experience: 13 Seasons
2016-17 Slash Line: .399/.328/.829
2016-17 Season Averages: 16.7 MPG, 6.7 PPG, 2.1 APG, 2.0 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.9 3PM
Devin Harris has become a personal favorite of Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be acquired via trade. The Mavericks drafted a rising star in Dennis Smith Jr., and he projects to consume a lion’s share of Dallas’ minutes at the point guard position.
Dallas may be more inclined to trade Barea in order to keep the more defensive-minded of the two veteran point guards, but the New York Knicks should explore this possibility.
If you’re confusing the Harris of 2016-17 with the Harris of old, you’ve missed out on the player he’s become. He may not be an All-Star anymore, but he has two-way value as an unselfish player who can provide a positive impact on both ends of the floor.
As Frank Ntilikina eases into his role as the No. 1 point guard, the Knicks could benefit from having a veteran like Harris as his mentor.
Harris finished the 2016-17 NBA regular season with a positive Real Plus-Minus on both ends of the floor. That includes his ranking of No. 14 amongst point guards in Defensive RPM, which reflects how effective he’s become on defense.
Steve Mills and Scott Perry have acknowledged the need for a veteran point guard, and Harris would fit the profile of the type of player they need.
Brandon Knight, Phoenix Suns
Age: 25 (12/2/1991)
Experience: 6 Seasons
2016-17 Slash Line: .398/.324/.857
2016-17 Season Averages: 21.1 MPG, 11.0 PPG, 2.4 APG, 2.2 RPG, 0.8 3PM
It was recently reported that the New York Knicks inquired about the availability of Phoenix Suns point guard Brandon Knight. There’s no telling how interested New York actually is, but Knight has remaining upside to tap into as a 25-year-old point guard with a solid track record.
A trade is far from imminent, but the fact that New York has inquired about Knight is a sign of how promising a talent he is.
Knight was underwhelming in 2016-17, but he was on the fast track to stardom before he became lost in the shuffle of an overwhelmingly deep backcourt. That includes the 2015-16 campaign, when he averaged a career-high 19.1 points per game.
It also includes the 53 games he played for current Knicks and former Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek—a truth that gives him unique perspective.
During the 42 games he played for Hornacek in 2015-16, Knight averaged 19.7 points and 5.1 assists in 36.3 minutes per game. Nothing is guaranteed, but it stands to reason that he could experience similar success with Hornacek in New York.
With the ability to work both with and without the ball, Knight could not only help mentor Frank Ntilikina, but play alongside him long-term.
Jameer Nelson, Denver Nuggets
Age: 35 (2/9/1982)
Experience: 13 Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .444/.388/.714
2016-17 Season Averages: 27.3 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 5.1 APG, 2.6 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.4 3PM
The Denver Nuggets could benefit from keeping a veteran point guard like Jameer Nelson on the roster. He has extensive postseason experience and wisdom to impart onto the younger players in the locker room.
As Emmanuel Mudiay and Jamal Murray fight for starting minutes at the point guard position, however, Nelson may not have a place left on the court.
Nelson may be 35 years of age, but he’s still one of the better facilitators and shooters at his position. He appeared in 75 games in 2016-17, starting 40, and averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.9 3-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
A career 36.9 percent shooter from beyond the arc, Nelson drained 38.8 percent of his attempts during the most recent regular season.
By adding Nelson to the roster, the Knicks would be receiving a respected locker room leader. They would also be acquiring an excellent mentor for Frank Ntilikina in that they have comparable offensive skill sets.
With 44 games of postseason experience and an NBA Finals appearance on his resume, Nelson has the postseason pedigree and perspective of a leader.
Must Read: Pros and Cons of potentially trading for Eric Bledsoe
Regardless of which player is pursued, all five options on this list would help the New York Knicks build a promising tomorrow.