NY Knicks: Grading every Steve Mills transaction, Part 1

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 22: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2019 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) /

The Emmanuel Mudiay Trade

GRADE: C+

As part of a three-team trade with Dallas and Denver, the Knicks sent Doug McDermott, who they acquired in the Carmelo Anthony trade, to Dallas, along with a 2018 second round pick to the Nuggets, in exchange for point guard Emmanuel Mudiay.

McDermott had been playing well for the 2017-18 Knicks, building an effective connection with forward Kyle O’Quinn. The two had a patented play that resulted in McDermott getting easy buckets out of passes from O’Quinn high in the post. In 55 games with the Knicks, McDermott averaged 7.2 points on 46 percent shooting, but saw his three-point shooting rate and field goal percentage decline. What impressed me the most during his time in New York was his willingness to try to improve defensively.

Mudiay had a bit of a resurgence under coach David Fizdale, helping the team push their pace of play, and averaged 14.8 points and 3.9 assists in 2018-19. However, he was far from the answer to the Knicks point guard needs, and later left the team to sign with the Utah Jazz.

For a while, the Knicks were hoping they could be a landing spot for reclamation projects. I would have preferred keeping McDermott and the second round pick and letting the point guards already on the roster, such as Ntilikina, develop, rather than adding Mudiay. Overall, it’s an average trade, so the grade aligns as such.

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