After weeks of speculation, there’s only one week remaining until the 2023 NBA trade deadline. Soon enough, fans will know what the New York Knicks’ plans are. Will New York trade Cam Reddish? Will a team be desperate enough to acquire Evan Fournier? Will Derrick Rose go to a contender?
Right now, there are more questions than answers, especially when it comes to players that the Knicks could trade for. Recently, there’s been several players that New York has reportedly expressed interest in, with the most prominent one being OG Anunoby.
Let’s dive into the rumors that New York has been linked to over the past few days and decide which ones are worth buying.
Buy or Sell on the latest New York Knicks rumors ahead of trade deadline
3. Knicks eyeing Pistons wing Saddiq Bey
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, New York has recently expressed interest in Detroit forward Saddiq Bey as a “backup wing.” Bey is averaging 14.6 points and is shooting a career-low 34.3% from three this season.
The Pistons don’t seem to be actively shopping Bey, but he’s reportedly drawn interest from several teams, including the Heat. He’s in his third year in the league after being drafted No. 19 overall in 2020, so him being only 23 makes him a more lucrative trade target for rival teams. Bey is signed through the 2023-24 season and has a $6.5 million qualifying offer in 2024-25.
In December, Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported that it would take an unprotected first-round pick to pry Bey away from Detroit. That’s a deal that New York could do. However, are the Pistons willing to send off young talent in exchange for an unproven draft pick? That’s the big question.
Bey would be a good acquisition for the Knicks, but at least for now, it doesn’t seem like Detroit is going to deal the young forward. For that reason, we’re going to pass on this rumor, although there’s a lot that can change between now and next Thursday.
Verdict: Sell
2. Knicks have been monitoring Malik Beasley’s situation in Utah
Malik Beasley isn’t a player that the Knicks have only been interested in as of late, but instead, he’s a player that New York has had its eye on for some time now. With the team needing to bolster its bench unit, Beasley would be a good pick-up ahead of the deadline.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that “several teams” have discussed Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. Scotto also wrote:
"The current Knicks regime expressed interest in Beasley just before he agreed to terms with Minnesota years ago. The Knicks have kept tabs on Beasley since, while Rosas has monitored both of his former players from afar."
With Beasley being on the trade market, the Knicks are a team to watch, although we know how talks between New York and Utah have gone in the past. Beasley is making $15.5 million this season and has a $16.5 million club option for 2023-24. Scotto reported that the Jazz have “given the indication that it would take the equivalent of a first-round pick” for Beasley and Vanderbilt. The Hawks, Cavaliers, and Pelicans have all expressed interest in Beasley.
Perhaps in a week, Knicks executive Gersson Rosas will be able to reunite with Beasley. With the Jazz listening to offers for Beasley, there seems to be a real chance that the 26-year-old is entering his final week as a player for the Jazz.
Verdict: Buy
1. Knicks reportedly prepared to offer three first-round picks for OG Anunoby
Now that the Raptors are reportedly listening to offers for OG Anunoby, the race is on. Anunoby has drawn interest from several teams, including the Knicks.
Here’s the latest from Sportsnet’s Michael Grange:
"It’s widely believed the New York Knicks are the team that is prepared to offer three future first-round picks for Anunoby, but the quality of those picks isn’t exactly high-end: They have picks belonging to Dallas, Washington and Detroit that are top-10 protected, top-14 protected and top-18 protected, respectively."
That checks out, considering that according to SNY’s Ian Begley, New York was “comfortable” offering multiple first-round picks in December for Anunoby prior to the team’s winning streak. If the Knicks were to trade for Anunoby, it wouldn’t be the front office redeeming themselves after not trading for Donovan Mitchell over the summer (that involved three unprotected first-round picks), but Anunoby would be a good, young talent for New York.
On the topic of Anunoby, Knicks fans are likely wondering how he would fit into the team’s current rotation. Along with that, he has a $19.9 million player option in 2024-25, meaning that if New York were to trade for him, he could leave after one full season. Before trading for Anunoby, teams will have to think about how he fits into their long-term future.
Anunoby’s defense would be a welcomed upgrade, though, especially with New York most likely moving on from Reddish.
Whether Anunoby winds up on the Knicks or not, this is a rumor that has some traction to it based on New York’s previous interest in the wing.
Verdict: Buy
3 trades the Knicks need to make to strengthen bench unit
With the way the Knicks bench has been struggling, it is time for the front office to consider making some moves for veterans to bolster the unit.