NY Knicks: Are they likely to meet asking price for Victor Oladipo?

The NY Knicks are monitoring multiple teams around the league, and The Houston Rockets have continued their fire sale. After dealing James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets and PJ Tucker to the Milwaukee Bucks, former All Star and potential Knicks target Victor Oladipo is up next.

Victor Oladipo has struggled to stay on the floor, as he’s missed a couple of weeks with a right foot sprain – one of many injuries throughout his career. However, Oladipo has started to get into a groove, as he’s averaging 25 points, 5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in the month of March.

Conor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that in negotiations with the Warriors, the Rockets were seeking Rookie Center James Wiseman or the Top 3 Protected 2021 Timberwolves First Round Pick (which becomes unprotected in 2022). Letourneau called the demand a “Conversation Ender” for Golden State.

The Knicks have been monitoring Oladipo’s situation.  He would bring some scoring and veteran leadership to the young Knicks squad that faces a challenging second-half schedule.  Will they fork over what it takes to get a deal done? No.  Should they?  Absolutely Not.

If Houston is asking for that much from Golden State, the equivalent for New York is RJ Barrett / Immanuel Quickly or an unprotected first-rounder. Also a conversation ender.

Barrett and Quickly are untouchable. Especially for a player who is entering free agency and has his eyes on the Miami Heat. Even if Oladipo were to sign with New York long term, the Knicks would not and should not give up any of their young stars.

For a player like Oladpio the Rockets can expect a haul closer to what the Detroit Pistons received for Derrick Rose. The Knicks sent Dennis Smith Jr. and a Second Round pick to Detroit, and the trade has worked out well for both sides so far.

Rose has been essential to the Knicks as they’ve gone 7-3 in games he’s played in.  They’ve looked lost as he’s sat due to health and safety protocols. And Smith Jr. has found another chance in Detroit, as he’s gone from registering DNPs to averaging 7.9 points in 20.6 minutes per game.

For an injury-prone player who is likely to leave in free agency, the Rockets will not get close to what they are asking. New York may be interested in a more reasonable deal. One of the NY Knicks’ lower-tier players like Kevin Knox or a protected pick seems like a reasonable price tag – that is a conversation worth having. Until Houston comes to their senses, New York won’t even pick up the phone.