Unraveling the New York Knicks point guard mystery
By Max Hoover
New York Knicks: The Red Herrings
Every good mystery story has a red herring.
In Psycho, there was money Marion Crane stole from her boss. Detectives went out in search of that only to find it had zero impact on the murder that took place.
Or in a more contemporary context, the guy you think did it in every episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit before you look at your watch and realize there are still 44 minutes left in the episode.
The mystery of the Knicks point guard situation has its share of Red Herrings as well. They primarily take the form of guys who currently play for other teams who Knicks fans hope are acquirable via trade.
All of the names below have been bandied about by Knicks fans at points in time. Heck, I’ve even done some of the bandying.
Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard would give the Knicks a bonafide top-ten (or top 15 if you’re haggling) player and with the right pieces around him could elevate the Knicks to a consistent challenger in the Eastern Conference.
There are also rumors that Lillard would love to bring Dame Time to the Garden if he were to demand a trade.
Still, the cost to even get in the conversation is likely astronomical and may not actually improve things.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
You see that detective? That’s the collective pool of drool from Knicks fans at the mere mention of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s name.
It’s understandable. At just 23 years old, SGA has a bright, bright future ahead of him in the NBA.
Here’s the thing, though, his extension hasn’t even kicked in yet. The Thunder have five more years of team control after this season.
He seems to be cementing himself as the franchise cornerstone in Oklahoma City. It’s not happening anytime soon.
Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray is having himself quite a season in San Antonio. Per Basketball-Reference he is currently averaging 17.8 points, 8.8 assists, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.
That stat line appeases almost every different point guard fan camp. He plays defense. He facilitates. He’s young. He’s affordable. He seems to be still improving.
His agent, Rich Paul, also likely wants him playing in a big market.
See that second paragraph for why San Antonio, even in the midst of a rebuild, is not giving him away easily. He impacts winning in a way that screams Spurs culture.
Ben Simmons
He’d be here already if A) The Knicks wanted him or B) The Sixers wanted something from the Knicks for him.
De’Aaron Fox
This might be the most realistic of all the Red Herrings given the guard depth the Sacramento Kings have added through the draft the past two seasons.
Much like SGA, though, the Kings just extended him. Feels like it would take a massive package to swing this one. Is he worth it?