NY Knicks: Three 2020 rookies the Knicks can trade for

Should the NY Knicks target Aaron Nesmith via trade?

The former Vanderbilt sharpshooter would be a welcomed addition to this young Knicks squad.

The Boston Celtics’ rookie has underwhelmed in his limited playing time so far this season.

He’s only gotten action in 18 games so far this year and is currently sporting averages of 16 minutes per game, 4.2 points, and nothing much else that’s notable whatsoever.

The only statistic that he’s doing somewhat well with is his 3-point shooting percentage which currently stands at just under the league average at 35%.

It was widely accepted that Nesmith was the best shooter in the 2020 draft class with Knicks’ rookie phenom, Immanuel Quickley, being a serious darkhorse.

Pairing the two on the Knicks would be a ton of fun moving forward.

Frankly, the Celtics should have never made a selection themselves with any of their 3 first-round picks in this past year’s draft as they’re clearly competing for a title and it’s a bit puzzling as to why they wouldn’t trade any of their picks for veterans that would help them win more games this season.

Here’s the trade I thought up:

Aaron Nesmith adds a young shooter to a Knicks team that lacks exactly just that; shooting.

RJ Barrett is shooting much better as of late and Julius Randle must have drunk some of Steph Curry’s secret stuff before the season began because even he is shooting around 40% from deep this year, but still, it’s not enough.

Coach Thibs may still opt to start Reggie Bullock on the wing for his defense over someone like Nesmith, but I could still see Nesmith getting a nice amount of playing time off the bench at either the 2 or 3 spots.

This trade also thrusts Derrick Rose into the starting spot, something a lot of Knicks fans desperately want to happen.

As far as the Celtics’ side of the trade, they’d be bringing back Elfrid Payton who would immediately become Kemba Walker’s primary backup on day one.

I know I talk a lot of smack about Elfrid but in reality, I don’t hate the guy…I just think he’s far better suited as a backup point guard in this league, which is exactly what he would be on the C’s.

Elfrid would happily waive his no-trade clause to go to another competitor that’s farther along in their building process where they could somewhat compete for an NBA championship today.

Boston also receives a 2021 selection which will be in the very low 30s and a future 2nd to boot.

Good deal if you ask me.