After Leon Rose was able to steal the hearts of Knicks fans everywhere by trading with the Pistons for fan-favorite Derrick Rose, it was made clear by the team that this isn’t the end of their efforts to acquire new assets prior to the trade deadline on March 25th. While the Knicks are much more of an attractive team in comparison to previous seasons, there is still plenty of work to be done before the roster becomes a keeper.
Knicks fans know heartbreak all too well, it’s time we learn what love is again
One type of player we might see the Knicks try to seek out is the simple veteran. Prior to the midseason acquisitions of the 35-year-old Taj Gibson and 32-year-old Derrick Rose, the oldest players on the team were Alec Burks and Reggie Bullock, both age 29. While the youth is very captivating and all, it’s important for an up and coming team like the Knicks to have a diverse set of experiences; players who know what it’s like to go on deep playoff runs and play in highly meaningful games. Another type of player that would be extremely appealing would be a dominant scorer. While the Knicks have one of the top-ranked defenses in the entire NBA, their offense ranks towards the bottom. If New York obtains some scoring via trade, it would captivate many orange and blue fans and keep them invested in a potential playoff run. The Knicks have many young players that they don’t have much interest in anymore that could very well be a “match made in heaven” for other teams looking to progress with a rebuild. The Knicks can’t hold on to hope forever with these projects and there comes a time when it’s time to move on.
Here are three potential trades for players that would be a great match for the New York Knicks.
A star center the Knicks would be smitten with
This is a big one I know; but if you think about it, the Knicks aren’t very deep at the center position. Following Mitchell Robinson’s hand fracture, it’s very hard to imagine loving the results of Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson playing 48 minutes of center for the next few weeks at least. While I was hesitant to propose this trade when Mitch was healthy, I couldn’t think of a better move for this team to make to address the need. The Cavs have absolutely zero need for Andre Drummond right now. After acquiring Jarrett Allen from the Brooklyn Nets, Drummond is almost sure to become a free agent this upcoming summer. With this being said, the Cavs are almost definitely going to want to trade Drummond before he leaves and signs with another team. The one thing holding them back though is the fact that he’s making over 28 million dollars this season, an amount that a lot of teams, especially contenders, can’t afford to take on right now. With the Knicks’ current payroll being low, I can without a doubt imagine the Knicks and Cavs becoming true partners in a trade.
On the flip side, shedding Payton and Frank allows for New York to have Quickley and Rose be the PGs of the team. Trading Bullock allows Alec Burks to start and for Austin Rivers to get playing time again. The Magic would do this because they’ve essentially given up on Mo Bamba and now have some young assets that they can do whatever they want with. In regard to MCW, he’s only played in eight games this season and would be dealt to shed some cap. Cleveland would probably let him go following the deal as well. In the end, Drummond gives the Knicks a big man with a post move and a hook shot which will add a much-needed dimension of offense to the team. I can for sure see a lovable relationship between NY and Drummond in the works.
(Editor’s note: Michael Carter-Williams cannot be traded until after March 3rd due to Bird Rights)
Knicks fans will learn how to say the word “love” in Turkish after this deal
I know what you’re about to say, the 76ers might swipe left — But hear me out on this one.
As much as he was a fan favorite to start the year, there isn’t much room for Austin Rivers on the team right now if Elfrid Payton is here to stay. He has a very team-friendly contract and would be a very suitable piece for contenders off the bench. Meanwhile, something the Knicks are lacking is shooting. They’re currently 24th in the NBA in shooting percentage. The 23-year-old Furkan Korkmaz out of Turkey is a player that can help bring that up. Korkmaz shoots about 38% from 3 for his career and shot over 40% from there last season. Adding a player like Furkan allows Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks to spread the floor making the defense honest, freeing up more looks from inside the paint where the Knicks thrive the most.
The Knicks’ struggles this season have mostly come when the defense plays a zone, making them shoot from the perimeter. Obtaining Korkmaz will make that less of an issue. To cap it off, this trade will for the second time in his NBA career reunite Austin Rivers with his father, Doc Rivers, the current head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. While Austin was considering signing there as a free agent, his father told him to sign with the Knicks because there would be more of an opportunity for him. Well now Austin finds himself as the odd-man-out with New York’s addition of Derrick Rose and the 76ers are in need of another guard following the injury to Shake Milton. I think New York and Philly can put their differences aside for a bit, and do what’s best for one another.
The Knicks reunite with an old flame
This is a trade that addresses the needs of both teams. Again the Knicks need shooting and Doug McDermott is established as one of the better catch and shoot guys in the association. Meanwhile, the Pacers could really use Payton for some depth at point guard. Dougie McBuckets has already had a stint in New York where he played half a season at MSG during the 2017-2018 campaign. McDermott only put up 7.2 points per game off the bench, but shot nearly 40% from deep and was one of Jeff Hornacek’s better second-unit contributors. For his career, the Creighton product is a 41% shooter from downtown and also shoots an efficient 82% from the charity stripe.
People might ask why the Pacers would give him up? Well, that would allow Jeremy Lamb to enter the starting lineup. Ever since coming back from injury, the 28-year-old Lamb has shot 52% from 3 while averaging 12.5 points per game in 13 contests. In addition, it must be noted that eventually, TJ Warren and Caris Lavert will also be returning to the Pacers rotation. For a team that has played a 10-man rotation for the majority of the season, McDermott will eventually lose his spot in line. If the Knicks add McDermott they won’t just be raising their shooting percentage, they’ll also be adding a player that’s a pest on defense and constantly moving around the floor — The type of player adored by Tom Thibodeau. This exchange would also allow Quickley or Rose to claim the starting job and have either Rivers or Knox rejoin the rotation. I get that this isn’t the most eye-popping trade, but in reality, it makes all the sense in the world.