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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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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – DECEMBER 22: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 22, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – DECEMBER 22: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 22, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How It Impacts The Knicks

As previously alluded to, the New York Knicks need to determine the long-term future of the small forward position. The Knicks have a number of quality perimeter players, but the youth movement will likely call upon a player who can play the 3 for years to come.

Parting ways with a first-round draft pick simply isn’t an option, but Kent Bazemore would be an outstanding fit with the current group of players—even at 28 years of age.

A solid three-point shooter, Bazemore would immediately address the need to convert at a higher volume from beyond the arc. He would also improve the Knicks’ ball movement as a quality facilitator, and provide another lob target in transition.

Bazemore’s current season averages in points (12.9), rebounds (4.5), assists (3.9), and three-point field goals made per game (1.5) would all rank in the top five on the Knicks.

For as solid as Bazemore is offensively, his greatest value to New York would be on defense. Thus far in 2017-18, Bazemore ranks No. 3 amongst shooting guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus, trailing just Andre Roberson and Danny Green.

Moving Bazemore to small forward—or keeping Tim Hardaway Jr. at the 3 and starting Bazemore at the 2—would facilitate the defensive minded culture the Knicks are attempting to create.

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