New York Knicks: Does trading for Chris Paul make sense?

The New York Knicks are in need of a makeover. One idea that has been talked about this week is Chris Paul. Could he help change the franchise’s image?

While there is a new voice at the top of the New York Knicks‘ front office pyramid, the same questions hover over the franchise. How to get free agents to come play for the Knicks? How to change the culture and reputation viewed by others around the league?

The answer might be solved with one player, Chris Paul.

The Knicks announced earlier this week Scott Perry will return as general manager, working under new president Leon Rose. With the decision-making hierarchy in place, Chris Paul’s name has come up a few times as someone who could change the Knicks from laughingstock to a preferred destination for free agents.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, unnamed members of the Knicks organization believe the 10-time All-Star point guard could help “jump-start” their rebuild.

"“I think there are still people with the Knicks who feel that bringing Chris Paul onto this roster at this time would jumpstart the franchise’s effort to build a winning culture, to give these young players winning habits,” Begley said, also noting that New York’s new team president, Leon Rose, is Paul’s former agent."

Could Chris Paul help change the franchise?

I think the word “help” is the key in all of this talk. If he is asked to change them into a playoff team, or a legit contender, that seems farfetched and unrealistic. Paul is 34-years-old and on the wrong end of his career. If the Knicks are looking for him to help change the image of the franchise to attract others stars, while helping the young guys like RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Dennis Smith Jr and Frank Ntilikina, then, yes, he could be useful.

The Knicks will have plenty of cap space, so taking on his salary is not a big deal, plus he has a reputation of being well-liked by other players around the league. As president of the NBPA, his opinion carries weight; he can change the perception of the Knicks in a positive direction. This idea, alone, makes Paul very appealing to the organization.

And, remember, he did help OKC maintain as a playoff team, with some potential to get to the second round, when most people picked them to finish in the bottom third of the West this year.

Another bonus in swinging a deal for Paul is the risk should be relatively low, as the Thunder want to get under the luxury tax, and in absorbing Paul’s salary, the Knicks shouldn’t have to trade too many assets. The Knicks have enough players with big enough salaries to make it work without giving up their young players or draft picks.

The other impact of a Paul acquisition has to be the development of the younger players. Barrett will love playing next to a pass-first point guard like Paul. Paul would make the lottery pick’s life easier, as he will get him better and easier looks.

The guy who has to have the most excitement about this rumor has to be Mitchell Robinson—just go watch “lob city”, Paul made DeAndre Jordan all that money. Paul is an excellent player in the pick-n-roll and loves to throw the lob to the rolling big man.

Smith Jr. and Ntilikina would finally have a role model on how to play the point guard position the right way. Just look at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schröder from the Thunder, both having career years under Paul’s watch.

Oh, and I almost forgot it should also cut down the number of times Julius Randles brings the ball down the court or just keeps dribbling the life out of the thing—Knicks fans cheering everywhere. Probably should have led off with that.

Overall the idea of trading for Chris Paul is a good one. The key is the expectation. He is not the savior that will lead them to the playoffs, but could help shape the culture and provide some leadership in the locker room for the younger players.

The point guard position has been the Knicks’ weak point for a long time, adding Paul solves that problem in the short-run at a cheap cost in terms of assets going out the door. I am sure the connection with Leon Rose, his former agent, should help with selling the idea to Paul.

The Knicks are desperate for a makeover, Chris Paul could be that solution.