New York Knicks: Ranking the last five trades made
2. Doug McDermott traded to Mavericks
The final trade, the New York Knicks sent McDermott to the Dallas Mavericks at the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline. It was part of a three-team deal, which also sent Devin Harris and the Knicks’ 2018 second-round pick to the Denver Nuggets.
In return, New York received Emmanuel Mudiay, the former No. 7 pick of the 2015 NBA Draft. He struggled to make an impact in Denver, even with starting opportunities.
This continued in a 22-game stint, post-trade. Mudiay shot below 20 percent from the three-point line for 8.8 points and 3.9 assists.
The outlook was bleak, but the Knicks still had the Congo native under contract for 2018-19. He started the season as the third-string point guard, but revitalizing play, and confidence from head coach David Fizdale, pushed the fourth-year man to what has been his best year yet.
In 24 games and 17 starts, as of Monday, Mudiay averages 13.1 points and 3.4 assists on 46.3 percent shooting and 33.3 percent from long distance. Aside from the dimes, each number is a current career-high.
Mudiay’s Knicks future might not last past this season, as the organization prepares its salary cap for free agency. However, if they can’t find a suitable point guard, could he return for another year?
As for McDermott, he was on a one-year deal when the Knicks acquired him in the Anthony trade. So, instead of losing him for nothing (McDermott signed a three-year deal with the Pacers), Perry and Mills picked up a risky player, but one that may have just needed a change of scenery.