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Knicks Trade Rumors: Five athletic wings to consider trading for

By Maxwell Ogden

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 21: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 21, 2018 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 21: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 21, 2018 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 12: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 12, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 12: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 12, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Malik Beasley, Denver Nuggets

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 21 (11/26/1996)
2017-18 Salary: $1,700,640
2017-18 Slash Line: .393/.295/.652
2017-18 Season Averages: 10.6 MPG, 3.3 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.4 3PM

New York Knicks fans are likely expecting the organization to be in pursuit of big names who can push the organization towards immediate success. The more likely outcome, however, is that the Knicks will execute a trade for a less heralded player on a team-friendly deal.

While it’s far from guaranteed that the Denver Nuggets would be willing to trade Malik Beasley, he’s the type of player who could be worth pursuing.

Beasley is a 21-year-old shooting guard with comparable measurables and athleticism to current Knicks shooting guard Courtney Lee. His skill set is also similar, albeit without the NBA-level statistics to show for it.

In the event that the Nuggets are willing to part ways with Beasley, however, head coach Jeff Hornacek could be the individual who maximizes Beasley’s potential.

On talent alone, Beasley is a capable shooter who knows how to attack a closeout and either finish strong at the rim or pull up from midrange. That alone makes Lee the perfect mentor for him, thus creating the proverbial match in basketball heaven.

Beasley’s shot has been off in the NBA, and his defensive intensity needs to be stabilized, but he’d be an excellent understudy for Lee to mentor.

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