NY Knicks: 3 Potential Eric Bledsoe trades at the deadline
By Max LoSardo
The NY Knicks get their point guard for the future
This is the one we’re waiting for. Instead of a first-round trade pick being the reward for providing the Pelicans cap flexibility, it’s Lonzo Ball. Ball is entering restricted free agency and may not be in the Pelicans future plans. Ball has also drawn interested from the Bulls, Nuggets, Sixers, Hawks, and yes – us at Daily Knicks.
He’s beginning to find consistency with his jumper. In the month of February, Ball shot 45.5% from the field and 45.9% from three. Magic Johnson recently said he had the “highest IQ of any point guard in the league.” Hyperbole, sure, but Ball is a terrific playmaker and transition player who would add some speed and diversity to the NY Knicks’ offense. The former number two overall pick’s boisterous father Lavar wants Lonzo in New York, as the point guard would find himself back in a major market and in the midst of an open playoff picture in a top-heavy Eastern Conference.
The trade centers around the Mavericks 2021 1st Round Pick (the Kristaps pick). The Knicks are very young and adding three more rookies to the roster next year may not be consistent with their timeline. And despite Frank Ntilikina’s up-and-down playing time, the Frenchman has shown flashes of brilliance and has also improved his jumper. He’s a great defender who will be able to play off the ball.
Forward Kevin Knox has done one thing well this season: hit corner threes, shooting 54% (20-37). That may be all he’s asked to do playing short stints alongside Brandon Ingram at the four and Zion Williamson at the five. The Pelicans would add to their haul of young players, and the Knicks would find their point guard of the future in Ball and a veteran leader in Eric Bledsoe.