The 2023 NBA trade deadline is still over two months away, but it’s a date that’s been on the radar for the New York Knicks. After missing out on Donovan Mitchell, the Knicks will remain in their mediocre state unless changes are made.
As expected, New York currently sits in the play-in range of the Eastern Conference. However, Miami’s off to an unexpected rough start and will likely start clicking as the year goes on, at least enough to pass the Knicks in the standings. The 2022-23 regular season could end with New York not having a good enough record to qualify for the play-in tournament for the second-straight year.
The Knicks still have their stockpile of draft picks to use for a star, and there could be a disgruntled star that becomes available ahead of the deadline. If that doesn’t happen, New York should be sellers in order to part ways with a couple of veterans that could be valuable to playoff-level teams. Based on that, here are three trade deadline predictions.
3 early trade predictions for the Knicks ahead of the 2023 deadline
3: Derrick Rose will be traded to a contender
Derrick Rose being dealt to a contender is the most predictable move that the Knicks could make before the deadline. He’s averaging only 6.7 points per game in 13.7 minutes. Rose played in 26 games last season due to a nagging ankle injury, but he entered 2022-23 fully healthy.
New York’s logjam at the guard position is the reason for D-Rose’s low minutes. Considering that the Knicks have younger players like Immanuel Quickley that deserve minutes, keeping Rose isn’t a priority, which is why he’s been made available in trade talks.
Rose is making $14.5 million this season and has a $15.6 million club option in 2023-24. For a team that’s expected to make a deep playoff run, he would be a scoring threat off the bench. It was a little over a year ago when he helped to propel the Knicks to the playoffs, but now, New York has Jalen Brunson.
After spending two separate stints in NYC, the Derrick Rose-Knicks era appears to be coming to a close.