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Which Knicks players will become eligible to be traded on Dec. 15?

ByJordanna Clark|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Head Coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks calls out from the bench against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 30, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New York Knicks 109-103. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: Head Coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks calls out from the bench against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Madison Square Garden on November 30, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New York Knicks 109-103. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

NBA fans are looking forward to an exciting slate of Christmas Day games later this month, but there’s another date before then that should be circled on calendars. On Dec. 15, players that signed during the offseason will become eligible to be traded, including three New York Knicks players.

With the trade deadline still over two months away, Dec. 15 is an important date for teams that are looking to upgrade their rosters. The Lakers reportedly have a few plans that they’ve been weighing ahead of the date, two of which include trading Russell Westbrook. The Knicks aren’t in desperation mode like the Lakers, but reportedly there is “internal scrutiny” within New York’s organization.

Leon Rose and the front office need to make some moves between now and February, but one of those moves likely won’t be parting ways with one of the three players that will be eligible to be traded in a little less than two weeks.

Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jericho Sims can be traded on Dec. 15

Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jericho Sims are the three Knicks players that can be traded as of Dec. 15. Mitchell Robinson would be on that list, but since he signed with New York in free agency using Bird rights, he can’t be dealt until Jan. 15.

Signing Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract in free agency was the smartest offseason move that the Knicks have made in a while. He’s lived up to the hype and without him, New York would be sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference instead of in play-in range.

Hartenstein was the first player that the Knicks signed in free agency and he was a good pickup. However, his defensive and rebounding struggles have led to fans calling for Sims to be Robinson’s backup. The second-year center had his two-way contract converted to a standard three-year deal over the summer. Although he hasn’t played as much as Hartenstein, Sims has impressed.

There’s absolutely no way that New York will trade Brunson and as for Hartenstein and Sims, the front office likely wouldn’t even consider trading one of them this season unless a disgruntled star becomes available ahead of the February deadline. It’s still too soon to know if that will happen.

The NBA trade frenzy always brings plenty of entertainment and with Dec. 15 being right around the corner, expect the rumors to start to gain more traction.

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