Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks Trade Rumors: Latest buzz from around the NBA as of Dec. 27

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 13
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 23: Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 23, 2017 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 23: Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 23, 2017 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Rumor: Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Trade Candidates

The New York Knicks are in the early stages of a budding rivalry with the Charlotte Hornets. Over the course of the past three seasons, a vast majority of their encounters have been held in a postseason environment, with physicality and down to the wire finishes becoming the norm.

As the Hornets struggle to perform at a postseason-caliber level, however, one of two key members of said rivalry could be on their way out.

According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the thought around the NBA is that the Hornets could part ways with either Nicolas Batum or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

"The prevailing thought in NBA circles is the Hornets have to move off a salary, with forward Nic Batum, who can’t seem to get and stay healthy or swingman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist being candidates."

It stands to reason that Charlotte will drive a hard bargain for both players, but their availability is noteworthy.

Batum is one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA, but he’s also 29 years of age on a team that’s toeing the line between a rebuild and an immediate push. The injury concerns are somewhat overblown, as he missed 17 total games between 2015-16 and 2016-17, but his efficiency has declined.

If the Hornets believe that Batum is no longer capable of living up to his $120 million price tag, he could be traded.

As for Kidd-Gilchrist, he was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft. He hasn’t lived up to the hype, but he’s still just 24 years of age with defensive potential that he’s begun to tap into under the guidance of head coach Steve Clifford.

Kidd-Gilchrist’s non-existent three-point shooting and Charlotte’s crowded perimeter could force him out, but value exists.

Home/Knicks Rumors