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Knicks Trade Rumors: New York interested in young Eastern Conference wing

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks looks on from the bench during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks looks on from the bench during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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It’s finally February. Before you know it, New York Knicks fans, the trade deadline will be here. The Raptors are reportedly now listening to calls for OG Anunoby, a player that the Knicks are interested in. Along with Anunoby, there’s another Eastern Conference player that New York has reportedly expressed interest in.

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Detroit’s Saddiq Bey is a player that the Knicks have their eye on. The 23-year-old was drafted by the Nets with the No. 19 pick in 2020 and was then traded to the Pistons as part of a three-team deal.

Begley said that New York is looking to upgrade the “backup wing position” and that’s evident based on the team’s interest in players like Bey and Anunoby. However, if the Knicks were to trade for a player like Bey or Annuoby, there’s a chance that they could end up starting in place of Quentin Grimes, who could be delegated back to the bench. It would all depend on how things play out.

Bey would come at a cheaper price than Anunoby, a player whom New York was reportedly “comfortable” offering multiple first-round picks for. Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported in mid-December that Detroit had told interested teams that the price for Bey was an unprotected first-round pick.

Knicks reportedly interested in trading for Pistons wing Saddiq Bey

Saddiq Bey is making $2.9 million this season and will make $4.6 million in 2023-24 before having a $6.5 million qualifying offer for 2024-25. He’s averaging 14.6 points this season, but his three-point percentage has taken a dip as he’s shooting a career-low 34.3% from deep.

Bey was sent to the bench earlier this season, but he’s since regained his spot back in the Pistons’ starting lineup. He’s only in his third season in the league, so although he’s gained interest from teams like the Knicks, it’d be hard to see Detroit trade him unless there’s a team that’s willing to overpay. If the Pistons dealt Bey, there’s no guarantee that Troy Weaver would be able to find a suitable replacement in the draft, so trading him would be a risky move.

Nonetheless, the former Villanova wing (who arrived at Villanova the year after Jalen Brunson left) would be a great get for New York. With the Knicks likely planning to trade Cam Reddish as he last played in a game on Dec. 3, Bey is a player that the front office should be monitoring. While a Reddish-Bey swap likely would never happen, it’s worth noting that it would work financially. It’s also worth noting that the Knicks and Pistons have a history of doing deals with one another.

If you’re already tired of hearing about these rumors, at least there are only eight days left until you’ll have a break from what feels like a never-ending news cycle at this point.

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