New York Knicks: A John Wall trade provides unnecessary complications

John Wall in a New York Knicks uniform would set the organization back for years to come.

Point guard was arguably the preseason topic of conversation for the New York Knicks. Trey Burke, Frank Ntilikina and Emmanuel Mudiay battled for the job, only for three positional changes that eventually landed on Mudiay.

Are any of these players the future at point guard? No matter how this season transpires, it’s up to what happens in the retooling 2019 offseason, featuring a loaded free agent class.

Someone that’s not included? John Wall, who signed a massive four-year, $170 million extension that doesn’t start until 2019-20. One year later, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported, the Washington Wizards will make everyone available for trade — even Wall.

That leads to a recent article from Marc Berman of The New York Post, which depicts people in the NBA believing, the Knicks are “stocking up their young assets and will make a major play for Wall if he becomes available.”

On the surface, Wall has put up All-Star numbers since entering the NBA, and, even amid disarray, he still owns 21.3 points and 8.4 assists per game. It seems great, but everything from speculation on his relationship with Bradley Beal to cursing out head coach Scott Brooks paints a negative picture, along with accompanying questionable defense.

Even more so, Wall’s annual salary for the next four years makes this unappealing.

The Knicks trading for Wall means sacrificing their offseason flexibility, even if it’s uncertain they can land one of the big names. That $38.2 million bites into every transaction possibility, whether it’s a signing or trade, and only digs into the salary cap further, until he’s 32-years-old and making nearly $50 million.

Plus, New York not only avoids trying for a marquee player in free agency, but they must send assets to the Wizards to receive Wall. Maybe it’s not a premium package, but something headlined by Courtney Lee‘s $12.25 million — since the former Kentucky star only makes $19.16 million — works. Ntilikina and one more add-on can even the money.

Doing this would reverse president Steve Mills’ comments. He eyed a “patient” approach before the season, with an eye on player development and keeping first-round picks. Trading for Wall throws this out the window.

Mills can change course down the line when the Knicks are ready to contend. Right now, that doesn’t make sense, especially for a player that stands at the center of a dysfunctional unit.

Those assets, in the meantime, stay on the roster. It’s depth to place around Kristaps Porzingis and whoever signs in July, rather than the Knicks scratching the bottom of the free agent pool. There’s obviously no guarantee of attaining Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard or another headline-worthy player, but that’s worth swinging and striking out at first.

One final overture for this not happening? Wall has a 15 percent trade kicker. Per ESPN’s Zach Lowe, if moved before July 1, it would likely spread across his supermax contract, leaving the following salary projections:

• 2019-20: $43.93 million
• 2020-21: $47.38 million
• 2021-22: $50.94 million
• 2022-23: $54.39 million

Theoretically, if the Knicks want Wall, there’s no reason to make the move now, wipe out all of their cap space and hamstring themselves for the next four years. The same points stand, even if the move happens after July 1.

It’s a complicated transaction for the New York Knicks, if anyone, to take Wall’s contract. The talent is there, but to sacrifice pieces on a team that’s not ready to make a jump for a player at the center of controversy, it’s best to look elsewhere.