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New York Knicks: Realistic goals for the 2018 NBA trade deadline

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 6: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 6: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Don’t Acquire Unnecessary Salary

The New York Knicks are reportedly looking ahead to the 2019 period of free agency. In other words: New York has accepted that it will have minimal cap space in 2018, but will have a legitimate opportunity to clear significant salary off the books by 2019.

With no player on the roster in possession of a guaranteed contract for the 2019-20 season, the Knicks should do the unthinkable: Refrain from taking on big contracts at the deadline.

If the Knicks can swap Joakim Noah for Luol Deng or another equal contract, then it could be may to do so. The goal here, however, is to ensure that the salary cap isn’t negatively impacted by any trade before the 2018 deadline.

Barring the potential acquisition of a genuine star who fits the current timeline, there isn’t much reason to believe New York should take on a significant salary.

New York will be in a position of financial flexibility in the near future. It will have key roster decisions to make in the near future, however, including either re-signing or parting with Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn, and inevitably maxing out Kristaps Porzingis.

With such vital decisions on the horizon, and the front office eyeing the 2019 period of free agency, unnecessarily adding salary would be senseless.

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