The New York Knicks are expected to be active at the 2018 NBA trade deadline. Here is why the team should sell, and not buy, on Feb. 8.
The New York Knicks have played better than expected. With a 20-25 record, the playoffs are still a possibility in the weak Eastern Conference. The team could use some of their assets in a trade package to upgrade the squad and make a push for the postseason.
They should do the opposite and sell some of their assets in order to continue to build for the future.
The Knicks are always linked to big-name trade rumors, yet they rarely come to fruition. Whether it be for Kyrie Irving, Eric Bledsoe, and most recently Kemba Walker. While the addition of Walker would certainly be a huge boost to the team and help their playoff push, it would come at a huge cost.
New York would likely need to offer a package that was built around Frank Ntilikina. This package would also likely need to include a first-round pick in order to entice the Hornets.
While it would be ideal for Joakim Noah to be included in the deal, the franchise should resist this typical Knicks move. Unloading Noah’s contract would be huge, but not at Ntilikina’s expense.
Scott Perry seems to have a firm vision of building for the future, and seems like he’s determined to stick with it. Ntilikina is young and has significant potential, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
Trading Ntilikina and a future first-round draft pick would be a mistake, and an extremely typical Knicks move. Realistically, the Knicks are three or four years away from legitimate contention, and should continue to develop their youth instead of mortgage it for Kemba Walker.
Tradable Assets
Below are the Knicks most tradable assets ranked in order of value.
- Enes Kanter
- Willy Hernangomez
- Courtney Lee
- Kyle O’Quinn
- Michael Beasley
- Doug McDermott
- Lance Thomas
Each of these players will be difficult to trade for many different reasons. Enes Kanter can opt out of his contract, and will likely command a significant contract in free agency. Courtney Lee is 32 years old and would only be desirable to teams that could match his $12 million contract.
Michael Beasley is Michael Beasley, and despite how well he’s played, that in itself makes it difficult to trade a player with such baggage attached to his name.
The logjam at center means one of them is most likely to be traded. Out of Hernangomez, Kanter, O’Quinn, and Noah, O’Quinn is the most likely to be moved. He’s the perfect bench big man for a contender, that has an extremely reasonable $4 million contract that expires after this season.
He’s at least worth an early second-round draft pick and a player who matches his salary.
Hopefully, Hernangomez stays with the team, but if not, he could fetch a big return due to his age and upside. In his prime, Hernangomez could be a 14 and 10 kind of player that would resemble Kanter.
His ceiling is higher, however, due to his passing ability. In New York, his friendship with Porzingis is also a plus.
Joakim. Noah. Isn’t. Getting. Traded.
The Knicks should go for a realistic approach at the deadline and not break the bank. As great as Kemba Walker is, he alone won’t push the Knicks into contender status.
At best, this team is looking at a 6-8 seed and a dream of a second-round appearance in the playoffs. Fans should put faith in the front office to make the right decisions for the future.
Must Read: The five players who are most likely to be traded
So far, New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry hasn’t disappointed.