Trade #2: Immanuel Quickley and Evan Fournier for Harrison Barnes and a future first-round pick
As a big Harrison Barnes fan, I love this trade for the Knicks. While there is absolutely no way the Kings would accept this trade, if the Knicks were offered it they should accept it in a heartbeat. It would be tough to lose Quickley, who has found his role as a playmaker and defender on this team, but if Rose stays, he could fill the role as a playmaker.
Barnes is a very talented 3&D wing with a well-rounded offensive game. While his threes have not been hitting as well as he’d like them to this season, he has been a great three-point shooter almost his entire career so I’m sure he’ll start hitting them soon enough.
While Barnes running the three may not be the most ideal scenario, he is certainly talented enough to get it done at a high level. This move would also move Reddish to the two off the bench, helping Rose’s defensive liabilities.
Barnes would not only improve the Knicks’ horrid three-point shooting, but he would also bring some very solid defense off the bench, two things this squad desperately needs.
I see almost no way in which the Kings would ever accept this offer though. Not only do they have plenty of backcourt depth, but considering that they are looking to make a playoff push, I doubt they trade away a key veteran for two inconsistent guards
Quite literally the only downside of this deal would be that the Knicks would have to rely upon major improvements from Rose. In addition to this, Barnes is on an expiring contract, so the Knicks must hope they can re-sign him. New York would also be moving on from Evan Fournier, who has one of the worst contracts in the NBA.
While that may scare Knicks fans away, it is worth noting that the Knicks only have Quickley under contract for one more year after this season, so it may be worth signing a veteran like Barnes unless Quickley makes a leap offensively.
Verdict: Pursue