Knicks Rumors: New York prefers Victor Oladipo over Chris Paul?

Is Victor Oladipo the top target for the New York Knicks this offseason?

The New York Knicks reportedly consider a trade offer for Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo a “higher priority” than a possible trade package for future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul, according to the New York Post.

Oladipo will enter the final year of a four-year, $85 million contract whenever the next NBA season resumes. Multiple reports have indicated that he wants out of Indiana. However, on a recent appearance on “The Fat Joe Show,” the 2017-18 Most Improve Player played down the speculation.

"“I knew that question was coming,” Oladipo answered when Fat Joe asked about rumors of the two-time All-Star coming to the Knicks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, man. I’m a Pacer, man. I’m a Pacer, dog. I’m a Pacer.”"

The 28-year-old turned around his career after being traded from Oklahoma City in the Paul George trade in 2017. As it seemed he was on the cusp of superstardom, he suffered a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee that kept him off the basketball court for 371 days. He returned to play this past January, and even played in the Orlando bubble, but suffered an eye injury and wasn’t quite himself during Indiana’s playoff loss to the Miami Heat.

As Knicks fans debate the merits of trading for an aging star in Chris Paul who is owed over $40 million in each of the next two seasons, a trade package for Oladipo could prove even costlier. The New York Post offers a hypothetical offer that would send Indiana Dallas’ two first round picks (2021, 2023), Julius Randle and either Dennis Smith Jr. or Frank Ntilikina in exchange for Oladipo.

If this trade were to become reality, the Knicks would essentially use the capital remaining from the Kristaps Porzingis trade to acquire a 28-year-old guard with serious injury concerns.

Team president Leon Rose appears ready to make a splash this offseason to put the Knicks in position to show stark improvement in the standings under recently-hired coach Tom Thibodeau. New York has plenty of cap space, future draft picks, and young players to use as means to acquire new players.