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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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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 13: Maurice Harkless #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on November 13, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 13: Maurice Harkless #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on November 13, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Maurice Harkless, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: Small Forward
Age: 24 (5/11/1993)
2017-18 Salary: $9,662,921
2017-18 Slash Line: .445/.339/.706
2017-18 Season Averages: 20.0 MPG, 5.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 3PM

The New York Knicks were tied to Maurice Harkless throughout the 2017 offseason. It’s admittedly been quiet on the trade front in recent months, but New York expressed interest in acquiring Harkless in the weeks leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft.

Considering Harkless has a good relationship with Scott Perry, who essentially replaced Phil Jackson, it stands to reason that the interest hasn’t completely died.

Harkless has fallen out of Terry Stotts’ rotation, which could imply that he’s available for a lower price than ever before. He’s played a grand total of 13 minutes over the past six games, which essentially destroys Portland’s leverage in any future trade negotiations.

For the Knicks, that could mean a golden opportunity has been created to acquire an athletic wing who fits the vision for a reasonable cost.

Harkless has struggled offensively in 2017-18, but he’s a 6’10” small forward, a high-level athlete, and a plus defender. He’s also an explosive finisher around the rim and a capable shooter who simply needs the touches that Portland has failed to provide him with.

Owed a reasonable $21,348,315 between 2018-19 and 2019-20, the Knicks could conceivably  unload a veteran and acquire a 24-year-old New York City native who fits the plan.

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