Knicks Trade Rumors: Rounding up the latest buzz as of Jan. 9

Rumor: Rival Executives Expect A Knicks Center To Be Traded

The New York Knicks have a bevy of quality veterans who could be of value to any number of contending teams. If a trade is on the horizon, however, one can’t help but wonder which player will be dealt—or which position will be targeted.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, rival executives believe that the Knicks will trade one of their four centers at some point this season.

"New York has four centers on the roster (Kanter, O’Quinn, Hernangomez and Joakim Noah) and opposing teams believe that one of the centers will likely be available via trade as the deadline approaches."

That doesn’t necessarily mean a center will be traded to clear space for Burke, but it would be none too surprising if it happens before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

New York would like to unload Noah’s contract, but it’s unlikely that such will transpire. He’s owed $55,590,000 between 2017-18 and 2019-20, and it’s unlikely that another organization would be willing to take on that commitment.

It’s possible that New York could include Noah as a part of a package deal, but it would need to either take on another bad contract or give up a foundational player.

Assuming that holds true, then New York would need to unload one of Willy Hernangomez, Enes Kanter, or Kyle O’Quinn. All three have been a part of trade rumors and speculation, which will make the next month—or even week—a compelling period of Knicks history.

Most expect O’Quinn to be the center who’s traded, but one shouldn’t jump to any conclusions just yet.