New York Knicks: Pros and cons of potential trade for Jabari Parker
The New York Knicks were reported to have shown preliminary interest in Jabari Parker. What are the upsides and downsides of a potential deal?
As the New York Knicks eye the pieces that stick with the team past 2018-19 and those who will not, it does not prevent them from making in-season moves to impact the roster today, tomorrow and in the future. Whether via free agency or trade, there are always moves to make.
Might the Knicks hit the trade market for an acquisition, though?
According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, New York expressed “preliminary interest” in Chicago Bulls forward Jabari Parker. However, no deal is imminent at the moment.
The Knicks are among the teams who have expressed preliminary interest in trading for Chicago's Jabari Parker, per ESPN sources. It doesn't appear that anything is imminent at the moment.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 20, 2018
Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks have not spoken directly with the Bulls for Parker. It’s “lukewarm interest.”
Knicks haven’t spoken directly to Bulls about Jabari Parker, per source. Have interest in any potential expiring contract that becomes available, especially if can save 2019 cap space. But interest here is lukewarm.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) December 21, 2018
With any potential trade, there are pros and cons to it. No deal will seem perfect, and there are two sides to each situation. So, which positives and negatives surround the Knicks acquiring Parker?
Con: Injury prone
It starts with Jabari Parker’s injury history. He’s not quite the healthiest NBA player, missing a combined 114 games in his first four seasons. The Bulls had him available for their first 29 games, before leaving the rotation and hitting the trade block.
While Parker may stay healthy wherever he goes, there’s always the risk of him suffering another long-term injury, lowering whatever remaining value. Is that enough for the New York Knicks to deal with?
Sure, the Knicks would only take Parker for the rest of the season, before inevitable leaving the roster to crunch payroll in 2019. But, acquiring a player with the hope of giving him another chance, only to suffer an injury, demoralizes the situation and limits available players for head coach David Fizdale’s rotation.
New York has handled enough injuries already, too. Damyean Dotson, Allonzo Trier, Trey Burke, Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox and Lance Thomas have joined the injury report at one point this season, and most of those players remain out.
Do the Knicks want to risk Parker joining them and create a more inferior product than usual? It’s not the biggest gamble-con, but still makes it a questionable move to acquire him in a roster shake-up transaction.