New York Knicks: Outlook for every player in Kristaps Porzingis trade

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 30: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the New York Knicks on January 30, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Dallas Mavericks Wesley Matthews (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Wesley Matthews

The other veteran headed to the New York Knicks, Wesley Matthews seemingly owns a short-term future with this organization, given Perry’s comments on the veteran guard. Although he could become the new Courtney Lee

Matthews is another high-priced veteran that’s a fine shooter and adequate defender, but is 32-years-old. The difference between he and Lee is contracts, as the latter man will become a free agent this summer.

If the Knicks keep Matthews through April, though, he could take some of Hardaway’s remaining minutes. Even though it’s a youth movement on Madison Avenue, Allonzo Trier and Mario Hezonja are the lone, rostered shooting guards and may not warrant 30-plus minutes per game.

The other potential roadblock, the Knicks tried Frank Ntilikina off-ball earlier this season. It did not produce anything meaningful, but with this year lost and absent of anything to play for, he can retry this, especially with Mudiay and Smith Jr.’s presences.

Will Matthews play 29.8 minutes as he did in Dallas? Maybe not, but there should be a role on the Knicks, if only a minor one. Either way, he’s not part of this team’s future, unless a cheaper deal arises in July, allowing him to return off the bench.

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