Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Pros and cons of trading for Victor Oladipo

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2020 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2020 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
New York Knicks
RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Con: Opportunity Cost

It’s easy to get excited when discussing the potential for the New York Knicks to acquire a star in their prime. It’s even possible to convince one’s self that the injuries are worth overlooking when evaluating and admiring the strengths that make Victor Oladipo an All-NBA wing.

Before committing to a potential trade, however, one must remember a critical truth: In order to acquire a player of Oladipo’s caliber, a team must part with significant assets.

Oladipo only has one season remaining on his contract, meaning the Knicks could potentially trade for him and then let him walk if it doesn’t work out. In saying that: Acquiring a two-time All-Star who’s entering the prime of his career wouldn’t be a cost-effective endeavor.

The Knicks would likely need to give up some combination of RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, and future first-round draft picks—a hefty price to pay for any player, let alone one coming off of injury.

And, love this idea or not, the injury looms large.

This isn’t to say that the cost is too grand, as Oladipo may very well return to the level we saw him reach in 2017-18 and 2018-19. If he were to do so, he’d be the Knicks’ best player since a prime Carmelo Anthony, and could set the tone for the team’s play on both ends of the floor.

One simply can’t help but feel as though giving up a bevy of assets for a player whose health is in question would be an example of repeating the mistakes that the Knicks have made so many times before.

Home/Knicks News