With four players already traded, do the New York Knicks have other candidates to move before the deadline?
The New York Knicks already traded Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke in a lone transaction, moving over one-quarter of their roster. It was a shocking pre-deadline move, especially with Porzingis seen as this franchise’s face.
Does this mean New York has nothing left to move before Feb. 7? Not quite.
At 10-42, it’s already a losing season for the Knicks, with no avenue to travel but develop players that will remain in 2019-20. Few of them are around, including Kevin Knox and Allonzo Trier.
So, as the Knicks continue to look towards the future, who can they trade now, before the upcoming deadline? Let’s take a look:
5. DeAndre Jordan
It starts with one of the players just acquired in the Porzingis trade. DeAndre Jordan was once the rim-running center with the Los Angeles Clippers, but “Lob City” has not existed for a few seasons. Instead, he blended in on a team that didn’t include Chris Paul or Blake Griffin, and it was the Luka Doncic show with the Dallas Mavericks.
Jordan’s salary was his main purpose in this deal. He makes $22.90 million, which made it easier to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee’s respective eight-figure deals.
However, as a veteran center that could help a contender and only takes minutes from Luke Kornet and Mitchell Robinson, the 30-year-old is a candidate to move.
The New York Knicks have no use for Jordan beyond this season. He’s not part of their future, especially with free agency ahead, and he needs a new contract in the offseason.
Jordan’s contract presents problems, though, for a trade. It likely takes a combination of salaries to make this deal happen, unless the Sacramento Kings take him into their $11 million of cap space and send Zach Randolph‘s expiring money.
A buyout makes more sense with few options to take Jordan’s salary. It lets him join whichever team before the playoff push, and Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported a potential match with either Los Angeles franchise.
If Jordan doesn’t move before Mar. 1, there’s probably no future for him in New York, unless the salary cap plan deviates.