New York Knicks: 3 levels of trades involving Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers fills a need for the Bulls. Would Otto Porter fit on the Knicks?

If the Bulls decide to blow it all up and start over and the Knicks can’t get their paws on Zach LaVine in a trade, Otto Porter Jr wouldn’t be the worst consolation prize.

Assuming Porter Jr comes back from his back injury without any complications, the Knicks should definitely see if the former Georgetown standout is available via trade.

The Bulls do this trade for a few reasons, largely due in part to their lack of point guard depth. The team doesn’t have any true, serviceable point guards on the roster.

The best facilitator on the team currently is probably Ryan Arcidiacono, and even that’s a stretch.

Reggie Bullock fills in the Bulls’ wing depth, while Elfrid Payton and Austin Rivers could both split time as the bench ballhandlers.

Otto Porter Jr is on an expiring contract, so instead of him leaving in free agency, the Bulls instead grab a few pieces that could potentially stick around a little while and a 2nd round pick to help sweeten the pot.

Porter Jr would immediately start on Day 1 as the Knicks’ new small forward. While he’s maybe not the 18 point per game scorer he once was, what he does bring with him is size and shooting.

Standing at 6’8 on the wing, even though he’s not normally touted as a lockdown defender, all defense really is, is effort and he’d be forced to give that under Coach Thibs.

Porter Jr is also shooting 40% from 3, and that would help space the floor for RJ Barrett and Julius Randle to do what they do best.

Lastly, why not bring back Luke Kornet? He’s like 8 feet tall and can shoot 3’s. He’d be a bench guy and could either be flipped again to anyone who wants him or cut.