New York Knicks should hold onto DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews

The New York Knicks acquired Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan from the Mavericks, but what should the team do with the two veterans?

On Thursday, the New York Knicks sent shock waves through the league by trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks in a seven-player deal. Along with Porzingis, the Knicks sent Tim Hardaway Jr, Courtney Lee, and Trey Burke to Dallas in a move that would give the Knicks two max contract slots this summer. In return, they received young point guard Dennis Smith Jr and the expiring contracts of Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan.

Dennis Smith Jr. is definitely the centerpiece of this trade for the Knicks. The North Carolina product did not have the greatest fit with emerging star Luka Doncic, hence why the Mavericks felt comfortable dealing him to New York. Dennis saw his numbers drop off this season, but at 21 years old he still has the potential to be a star in this league and will definitely be apart of the Knicks long-term picture. The same cannot be said for veterans Matthews and Jordan.

Both Matthews and Jordan are in their 30’s slated for free agency this summer. Matthews at age 32 is averaging 13.1 points per game and is shooting 38.0 percent from the three. Jordan turned 30 last July, and has seen a slight drop off from his years in “Lob City”, but he is still one of the league’s best rebounders averaging 13.7 rebounds per game and 11.1 points per game on 64.4 percent shooting. Matthews and Jordan can still contribute to any team in the league.

However, the Knicks are not trying to be competitive and are pushing the veterans away to free up minutes for the young guys. Matthews could potentially take away time from Damyean Dotson, Frank Ntilikina, and Allonzo Trier. David Fizdale already pushed Kanter aside to open up opportunities for Luke Kornet and Mitchell Robinson. Adding Jordan does not help.

This does not bode well for Matthews and Jordan who would not like a limited role on a rebuilding squad and would like to find themselves on contenders before the March 1st deadline to be playoff eligible. As of now, Matthews nor Jordan have engaged in buyout discussions, but it is a storyline to keep in mind. The Houston Rockets reportedly have interest in Wesley Matthews if he is bought out by the Knicks, and an unnamed team expressed interest in trading for Matthews according to ESPN’s Ian Begley.

Early reports claimed that the Knicks would indeed pursue a buyout, but General Manager Scott Perry shot those rumors down and expects both Matthews and Jordan to suit up for the team. The Knicks could potentially trade both of them in individual deals without aggregating any salary. The Knicks cannot package either of them as part of a multi-player trade till 60 days after the Kristaps Porzingis deal, but the trade deadline is only four days away. If the team wishes to trade Matthews or Jordan they must do so individually and quickly.

However, the Knicks do not necessarily have to get rid of Jordan and Matthews. The Knicks should consider holding onto them for what their presence can do for the younger players on the team. Both of them are regarded as class savvy veterans who would be positive influences on a young locker room. Jordan is a fun loving guy with a humorous personality and Matthews had a strong presence in the Mavericks locker room. The Knicks are not short of youth and the team’s average age is 24 years old.

It’s been a rough season for the young squad, but having veteran leadership is critical to improving and developing a young squad. Jordan and Matthews could take a few of the Knicks young players under their wing, even if it’s just till the Mar. 1 deadline where they may get bought out.

Rookie Mitchell Robinson, regarded as a forefront building block for the Knicks, has a very similar playing style to Jordan. Like Jordan, Mitchell is a high-flying, athletic, shot-blocking defensive anchor with the potential to be one of the best defensive big men in the league. Mitchell is still pretty raw lacking the strength and muscle to be an impact player now. He finds himself in foul trouble too often but has flashed immense potential in the time he’s been on the court. Having a veteran leader he can relate to in Jordan, could prove to be beneficial for his development.

Jordan came into the league as a skinny kid like Robinson from Texas A&M, and over the course of his career has become one of the league’s premier big men, so he could teach Robinson what made him a two time All-NBA defensive team member and what made him part of an All-NBA team three times.

Take it from David Fizdale who spoke about what Jordan’s arrival could do for Mitchell’s development, “With the way Mitchell is coming along, the injection of a DeAndre Jordan — I mean it’s basically his big brother from a standpoint of how they play” per Zach Braziller of the New York Post.

When Mitchell was asked about potentially being mentored by Matthews he replied that “It’s a good thing we got him now. It would be great to learn from him,” Robinson said. “He was a Defensive Player of the Year, and that’s something I want to be. I can take a lot of stuff from him” per Zach Braziller of the New York Post.

Wesley Matthews does not have an obvious comparison to any Knick on the roster outside of maybe Damyean Dotson, but his role as a veteran leader should not be undermined. Once regarded as one of the league’s premier “3 and D” wings and a gritty defender, he is the type of veteran that will stay in the ears of the Knicks young players when they miss a defensive assignment. Kevin Knox, Damyean Dotson, Allonzo Trier, Frank Ntilikina could all see benefits from having a guy like Matthews telling them what to do and what not to do. Wes is a seasoned veteran who approaches the game with toughness and swagger, something that would resonate well with the young Knicks squad.

If Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan impress during their time with the Knicks, the team could bring them back in the offseason. The Knicks have cap room for two max contract slots, and if they are able to land two max free agents you better believe that they need players like Jordan and Matthews to compete in the East.

Both of them have made a good share of money while in the league, and as they get older, a chance to play with a competitive team in a good environment is an alluring situation. The Knicks could potentially use their mid-level exception to accommodate a one year contract for Jordan or Matthews if the Knicks want to retain either of them.

With Jordan turning 31 in the summer, it’s unsure if any team would splurge a long-term contract on an athletic big man in his 30’s. The Knicks could potentially sign him to a one year deal worth 5-7 million dollars, similar to how the Warriors accommodated DeMarcus Cousins into their mid-level exception. As for Matthews, the importance of “3 and D” wings are astronomically high and NBA teams can never have too many of them.

At age 32, Matthews would not demand too much money if it meant playing for a competitive team. If the Knicks offseason plans fulfill, Matthews and Jordan could prove to be quality role players if they are retained by the team.

The Knicks should hold onto Matthews and Jordan, assess their performances, and then judge their future with the team. The squad could benefit from their presence by flipping them for an asset or having them mentor the younger players, even if it is just for a month. Simply buying them out does not give them the same value as keeping them. Fizdale will have to manage their playing time as the team tries to position themselves for the first pick while ensuring that the young players are not sacrificed in the process.