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New York Knicks: Trade options to monitor as season progresses

By Maxwell Ogden

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 5: Maurice Harkless #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on October 5, 2017 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 5: Maurice Harkless #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball during the preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on October 5, 2017 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 5: Maurice Harkless #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers dunks the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 5, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 5: Maurice Harkless #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers dunks the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 5, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Maurice Harkless, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: Forward
Age: 24 (5/11/1993)
Experience: 6th Season
2017-18 Slash Line: .410/.256/.750
2017-18 Per 36 Averages: 8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 blocks, 1.2 steals

Over the course of the 2017 offseason, the New York Knicks were routinely tied to Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless. It was a favorable rumor, as Harkless has youth on his side, and is already one of the better defensive forwards in the Association.

Harkless has struggled to produce offensively in 2017-18, but that may present the perfect opportunity for the New York Knicks to buy low.

Harkless is a 6’9″ and 220-pound hybrid forward with a 7’0″ wingspan and fluid athleticism. He has the explosive leaping ability to play above the rim with relative ease, and moves quickly enough to defend both wing positions and the 4.

Considering Harkless is still just 24 years of age, it’s safe to say that the former St. John’s Red Storm star has only scratched the surface of his potential.

In New York, Harkless would join a team that already has three positions set for the future. Alongside Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Kristaps Porzingis, he’d fit the defensive-minded nature of the team while adding an invaluable measure of athleticism to the starting lineup.

With Harkless seemingly falling out of favor with Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, the Knicks may be able to acquire him without breaking the bank.

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