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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) /
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New York Knicks
Potential New York Knicks target Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers defends against Tyler Dorsey #2 of the Atlanta Hawks in the first half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 9, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 112-87. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Pro: Defensive Prowess

Let’s get this out of the way: There’s a legitimate possibility that Victor Oladipo will never defend at the level he did in 2017-18 and 2018-19 again. Players who suffer severe leg injuries generally struggle more with their recovery on defense than they do on offense.

If Oladipo manages to return to the level he once played at, however, he would be the type of player that the New York Knicks have desperately needed.

Oladipo was named to the All-Defensive First Team in 2017-18, and with good reason. He led the NBA with an average of 2.4 steals per game, and added 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks to round out his elite defensive statistics as a shooting guard.

He also ranked first amongst qualified shooting guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus, trailing just Dejounte Murray for the overall lead amongst backcourt players.

Oladipo is both an elite ball-hawk and a smothering on-ball presence who can match up against both smaller and bigger players. He has the length, quickness, and intensity to contain point guards, the strength to body up against shooting guards, and the determination to switch against 3s.

If the Knicks are looking to get back to what’s always worked for this once storied franchise, then investing in defense would be an outstanding start.

Related Story. Five options at shooting guard in the 2020 NBA Draft. light

Before doing so, however, Leon Rose and the New York Knicks will have to weigh the pros and cons.

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