Knicks Trade Rumors: Five athletic wings to consider trading for

Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons

Position: Small Forward
Age: 21 (5/29/1996)
2017-18 Salary: $3,097,800
2017-18 Slash Line: .352/.287/.800
2017-18 Season Averages: 27.4 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 3PM

As the Detroit Pistons trend in the wrong direction, the likelihood of Stanley Johnson finishing the 2017-18 season in the Motor City continues to decrease. Detroit needs consistency along the wings, and Johnson is currently incapable of providing it.

For a rebuilding team like the New York Knicks, however, Johnson could be the long-term answer at the small forward position.

Johnson has become a quality defender, which is intriguing progress for a player who’s still just 21 years of age. That combination of defensive proficiency and youth fits what the Knicks are looking for, which makes it possible to look past his inconsistency.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Pistons would be willing to trade Johnson for the ideal return.

"Forward Stanley Johnson is one name that has come up in the Pistons’ conversations with other teams, per ESPN sources. Opposing teams have come away with the impression that Johnson is available for the right return."

One can easily debate how much the Knicks should be willing to give up for Johnson, but he’s one of the more intriguing options available.

Johnson has a positive Defensive Real Plus-Minus, and has the size, length, and strength to defend multiple positions. He’s still a virtual non-factor on offense, however, which creates the reason for pause, trepidation, and general uncertainty.

If the Knicks believe that Johnson’s defense would be the ideal complement to Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis, however, then a trade could be a wise pursuit.