NY Knicks: 2 trades that bring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to New York

NY Knicks: A draft-pick heavy package for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The first trade here is probably what Sam Presti wants the most: Kevin Knox. Just kidding, though Knox does match Alexander’s salary, this trade is for the Thunder to continue their quest to have every draft pick in the NBA.

If OKC does not believe in a 23-year-old being part of their timeline, the Knicks would have to throw a lot of picks at the Thunder.

This specific trade gives the Thunder 5 more first-round picks and a prospect in Kevin Knox who could get consistent minutes on a team that’s first scoring option without SGA is Aleksej Pokusevski, who is very raw.

The Thunder would be the worst team in the NBA without SGA, and this will help their tanking while also getting a look at Knox, but this trade is more instantly interesting to the Knicks.

The Knicks add Shai Gilegeous Alexander, who gives the Knicks a scoring point guard with a great all-around game.  It will be a lot more difficult to secure the 4th seed with a healthy Boston Celtics team and the vast improvement of the Atlanta Hawks.

The Knicks adding SGA gives them a point guard who can get them a basket when needed and stay in the age timeline.

With there being talk of the Knicks being ready to trade for Damian Lillard, trading for a guy eight years younger would probably make more sense.

The Knicks will not be forced into win-now mode if they trade for Shai like they will if they trade for Lillard.  Gutting the roster for Lillard hurts the Knicks long-term with not much added current success.

The Knicks should not rush, and this trade, though mortgaging some of their future, gives them a terrific young Canadian duo with SGA and RJ Barrett.  Add that Julius Randle is 26 and Immanuel Quickley and Mitchell Robinson are 22 and 23, respectively, and you have one of the best young cores in the NBA.