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Knicks Trade Rumors: Well-known players who are reportedly available

By Maxwell Ogden

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 3: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 3, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 3: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 3, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 22: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons controls the ball in front of Jarrett Jack #55 of the New York Knicks during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on December 22, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 104-101. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 22: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons controls the ball in front of Jarrett Jack #55 of the New York Knicks during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on December 22, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 104-101. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

How It Impacts The Knicks

The New York Knicks have built a roster with intriguing long-term potential at four of the five positions. The remaining void appears to be at small forward, where the front office is likely to seek out a defensive-minded player.

The Knicks may be able to find an answer in Detroit Pistons small forward Stanley Johnson, who possesses the potential of a high-level defender.

Johnson is a 6’7″ and 245-pound small forward with a near 7’0″ wingspan. He’s still just 21 years of age, which implies that his compelling combination of size, length, and strength could still be combined and developed into something special on defense.

Johnson is only solid on defense up to this point, but there’s reason to believe that he can be developed into an All-Defense type of player.

The hurdle with Johnson is that he hasn’t shown much growth as a player on the offensive end of the floor. He has a positive Defensive Real Plus-Minus, but is posting the worst shooting marks of his career from both the field and three-point range.

If the Knicks believe Johnson’s defense is enough to gamble on, however, head coach Jeff Hornacek could have a project to work on in developing Johnson.

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