Latest trade rumor signals Knicks are interested in notorious NBA villain

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 20: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks reacts during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 20, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 20: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks reacts during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 20, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks need to add a shooter ahead of the Feb. 9 deadline, but the latest trade rumor shouldn’t be one that fans want to see. Honestly, the latest rumor involving the Bucks likely isn’t something that most fans would like to see play out.

According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, “the Knicks have expressed interest in Bucks starter Grayson Allen.” This report comes a few days after Shams Charania reported that Milwaukee was looking to trade Serge Ibaka, who could be a player of interest for New York with Mitchell Robinson out. However, the thing is, the Bucks have reportedly expressed interest in Cam Reddish, so both sides have something that the other wants.

Allen possibly being traded isn’t news, as Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported that Milwaukee has “explored the trade value of Allen with a few teams.” Scotto wrote that Allen’s name has been involved in “several three-team trade concepts” where Jae Crowder or Eric Gordon would go to the Bucks. The good news is that Scotto also added that the chances of Allen being moved for Crowder or Gordon are likelier than him being moved in a deal involving the Knicks and Reddish.

Knicks have reportedly expressed interest in Bucks shooter Grayson Allen

Grayson Allen is a career 39.5% three-point shooter and is shooting 40.2% from deep this season to go with a 10.7 points per game average. He’d be an upgrade over Fournier, who has been a non-factor for New York this season. However, is it really worth trading for Allen?

The 27-year-old isn’t known as a deep threat around the league. Instead, he’s more known for being a dirty player with his flagrant foul against Alex Caruso a year ago that resulted in a broken wrist for Caruso being the first thing that comes to mind. It’s not about Allen not being a well-liked player in the NBA because that doesn’t matter, but his reputation isn’t one that a player in the league should want to have.

New York’s front office is well aware of Allen’s past, as is every other front office in the league that has expressed interest in him. For the Knicks, he’d be a source of shooting that the team desperately needs, and with Reddish racking up 25 straight DNPs, New York’s best option may be to put Reddish in a trade that would involve getting Allen in return.

It’d be very interesting to see Grayson Allen suit up in a Knicks uniform and while there would be benefits to having him as a source of shooting, this seems like a deal that the front office should ultimately choose to not pursue.