Now that the 2023 trade deadline is less than a month away, it’s time for New York Knicks fans to start preparing themselves for whatever may happen in the next few weeks. Unsurprisingly, New York has been labeled one of the more active teams on the trade market.
The question of whether or not the Knicks should be buyers or sellers has been discussed, but regardless, there are a few players that the team should move on from ahead of the deadline. With New York in a search to bring a star to MSG though, players like Zach LaVine and OG Anunoby are players that fans should be monitoring, too.
As the rumors continue to swirl, here are three trade deadline possibilities that fans should go ahead and brace themselves for.
3 NBA trade deadline possibilities Knicks fans should prepare for
3: Not finding a suitor for Evan Fournier
Evan Fournier was booted from the rotation by Tom Thibodeau and didn’t play for over a month, but the guard was given another opportunity to play after Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett suffered injuries.
In his first game back, he scored 11 points (4-of-6) in 17 minutes but hasn’t hit more than two three-pointers in a game. Although Fournier broke the Knicks’ single-season record for three-pointers made in a season in 2021-22, his inconsistency is what removed him from the rotation along with his poor defense.
He’s set to make $18.9 million in 2023-24 before having a $19 million club option in 2024-25. For playoff-hopeful teams that need another shooter, Fournier is a player that should be considered. However, as mentioned, there’s enough to keep suitors away.
A few weeks ago on Brian Windhorst’s podcast, the ESPN analyst said that New York isn’t looking to shed salary ahead of the deadline and that to his knowledge, the Knicks haven’t considered attaching a pick to Fournier to move on from his contract. If Fournier remains on the roster past the deadline, New York could then move him during the offseason when he’ll be on an expiring contract. If Fournier isn’t moved in the coming weeks, it won’t be the end of the world.