Could The NY Knicks ship off Ntilikina, Knox before the trade deadline?

The NY Knicks are one of the few teams in the league with the ammo to be buyers at the trade deadline. Don’t think that it doesn’t exclude them from being sellers. The team has been scrambling with their roster lately as a result of some injuries, but as they begin to get back to full health, they could make a move or two before the trade deadline on Thursday.

The NY Knicks have been linked to players on other teams, and typically the “Mock trade packages” for anyone will involve one of the Knicks’ young players currently buried on the bench: Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, and Obi Toppin. I think with Toppin, the organization will want to double down and give him an opportunity to grow this offseason. He was the first draft pick from the new regime. For Ntilikina and Knox, their days could be limited.

NY Knicks Trade Rumors: Frank Ntilikina’s potential

Frank Ntilikina has gotten more playing time as a result of the Knicks’ recent backcourt injuries. The French guard has enjoyed some up and down moments in the recent stretch of play, but the positive flashes of defense and spot-up shooting have many hoping Ntilikina will be a part of the team’s future. I certainly believe there is a path to success for Ntilikina as a role player in the NBA but in no way does his potential as a future role player mean he is off-limits in a trade.

The best-case scenario for Ntilikina is that he continues to grow into a defensive specialist/ secondary playmaker that the Knicks could potentially sign to a cheap contract extension. He could be a nice bench piece going forward.

There’s certainly been positivity surrounding Ntilikina’s potential for more growth under Tom Thibodeau, but what everyone must remember is that Ntilikina’s recent play isn’t a result of him “Playing himself into the lineup” so much as it is him receiving playtime simply due to injuries on the team. It’s been a chance for him to at least show where he is at as a player, and potentially keep other teams interested.

Ntilikina could walk for nothing this offseason, so if the Knicks get an opportunity to get something for him via trade, they have to entertain the idea. Maybe it’s just an additional draft pick, or maybe it’s a swap for a similar young player surrounded by question marks. I mentioned the idea of a Ntilikina for Mo Bamba swap with the Magic – That way the Knicks get some added depth in the frontcourt while sticking to their commitment to youth.

NY Knicks Trade Rumors: What About Kevin Knox?

Unlike Ntilikina, Knox hasn’t been able to crack the rotation. The Knicks have had some serious depth issues at small forward, and it’s been a little puzzling to see Knox not at least get a chance. Reggie Bullock played 45 minutes last night against the 76ers.

At this point, if they’re not going to play him, what are they doing keeping him? It may be disappointing to essentially give up on someone who was a raw talent entering the league, won a Rookie Of The Month award, was selected to the Rising Stars game and now simply doesn’t get the playing time – But that’s where the NY Knicks and Knox are at.

There will definitely be some interest in Knox, who has the skills to become an effective NBA player down the line. The Detroit Pistons reportedly wanted Knox in the Derrick Rose trade. If the Knicks could get a 2nd round pick for Knox, who’s become an afterthought in both the rotation and the long-term plans, why not go for it?

It’s essentially cutting your losses on a disappointing lottery pick. If they were to get a pick in return for Knox, The Knicks could use it as a component of a trade-up in the 2021 Draft. This is the first year for both the new coaching staff and the new front office, so they may want to shed some of the forgotten leftovers from the Knicks of years past in order to improve their draft picks of the future.

Trading Ntilikina and Knox isn’t a pressing issue for the NY Knicks, but if the organization feels they can turn them into potentially more valuable assets, don’t be surprised if they make a move.