Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Trades that would facilitate the rebuild

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks look on during the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks look on during the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – DECEMBER 11: Patrick Patterson #54 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 11, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – DECEMBER 11: Patrick Patterson #54 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 11, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Why It Works

The New York Knicks need to get younger in the backcourt, where 34-year-old Jarrett Jack and 32-year-old Courtney Lee are currently starters. New York is also without a two-way player to back up Kristaps Porzingis, as Michael Beasley and Lance Thomas contribute on one end of the floor.

With this trade, the Knicks would address both issues head-on while making a move that could have financially beneficial implications, as well.

Abrines is a 24-year-old sharpshooter who would fit well within Jeff Hornacek’s scheme. He shot 38.1 percent from beyond the arc as a rookie and is at 38.2 percent in 2017-18, averaging at least 1.0 three-point field goal made in each season.

For the Knicks, having a 6’6″ sharpshooter who still has the potential to improve as an overall player would better fit the current timeline.

Patterson has struggled in 2017-18, but amongst role players, he’s one of the better two-way power forwards in the NBA. He’s an efficient three-point shooter and a quality team defender who can work within the scheme.

Throw in the fact that Abrines and Patterson would be two players who essentially combine for Lee’s individual cost, and the Knicks would have increased flexibility.

Having Abrines, Tim Hardaway Jr., Doug McDermott, Patterson, and Kristaps Porzingis would also give New York as many as five lights-out shooters.

Home/Knicks News