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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) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 09: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic at Philips Arena on December 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 09: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic at Philips Arena on December 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Rumor: Kent Bazemore Is Available

The Atlanta Hawks surprised many around the NBA when they re-signed swingman Kent Bazemore to a four-year deal worth $70 million. Bazemore is a highly-regarded character guy, but he’s more of a high-level role player than a star-caliber contributor.

Just two years in, a change of scenery could be on the horizon.

According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Atlanta would be willing to trade Bazemore if it were able to acquire a first-round draft pick in return—even if it were heavily protected.

"League sources say the right combination of ending contracts and a first-round pick, even one highly protected might be enough to get Bazemore in trade, especially for a team looking for a scoring punch."

That might be a surprising revelation, but Bazemore has developed into a well-rounded two-way player who can contribute in every phase of the game.

Bazemore struggled mightily in 2016-17, but it must be noted that he’s playing well in 2017-18. He’s creating for himself and others, shooting the three-ball effectively, and defending at a high level alongside an otherwise underwhelming defensive perimeter.

He’s also a 28-year-old wing playing for a rebuilding organization that’s doing everything in its power to draft a legitimate franchise player.

If Bazemore is traded, expiring contracts and a first-round draft pick wouldn’t be a terribly unrealistic asking price. Odds are, the team that acquires Bazemore would be a contender that needs an athletic two-way wing.

Thus, while organizations like the New York Knicks may be unwilling to part with a first-round draft pick, there’s certainly a market for a player of Bazemore’s cut and caliber.

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