With the trade deadline being right around the corner, trade rumors are at an all-time high and it’s getting to be both exciting and redundant. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always fun to look at the potential players the New York Knicks could add before the deadline, but some of the deals become so repetitive that it tends to get stale.
Regardless, I think most fans can agree that the Knicks need to make some sort of trade, whether it be for a star or a couple of role players.
In today’s edition of pass or pursue, we will be taking a look at four new trades centered around adding key role players/veterans to this Knicks roster in order to help push New York out of the play-in. These players shouldn’t break the bank, so let’s see if these trades got it right or not.
Playing Pass or Pursue with four new Knicks trades
Trade #1: Bringing the definition of hustle to the Big Apple
The first trade of the day is from SB Nation’s Jeremy Brener and I’ve got to say, this is a pretty darn good trade to start off with. While the players the Knicks are receiving may not propel them to contention, they will certainly make the team better.
Before we get into any other part of this trade, it should be noted that if the Knicks pull this deal off, they must look into finding a new backup big. While Jericho Sims can usually fill that role incredibly well, that is when Mitchell Robinson is healthy, which he has not been so far this season. With Sims being forced to start and Hartenstein being out of the picture with this trade, New York must find a new backup big to replace him.
Anyways, this is a rather interesting deal to look at. While the Knicks would be getting one of the best hustle players in the league, would it be worth getting rid of their backup big man?
In my honest opinion, yes. While finding a backup big would make things a little more difficult, players like Serge Ibaka could fill that role for a short period of time until Robinson returns and likely wouldn’t cost much to acquire.
As for the players the Knicks would be getting in return, this trade would work out quite well. Josh Hart may not be having as good of an offensive season as he’s had in years past, but his rebounding and defense are still incredibly valuable.
Hart is averaging 9.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 31.1% from behind the arc on 2.1 attempts per game. The three-point shooting isn’t ideal, but it’s not like the Knicks are giving away snipers for Hart.
Something that surprised me when watching some Hart tape this season is how solid of a playmaker he has been, which is something that would work incredibly well next to Immanuel Quickley off the bench, let alone his aforementioned defense.
As for Winslow, he likely wouldn’t see the floor too often due to his inconsistencies, however, if an injury occurs he could play a solid role off the bench.
Hart is an incredibly solid all-around backup wing that would fit perfectly in New York. If this trade is offered the Knicks’ front office should accept it without hesitation and get to work with finding a new backup big.
Verdict: Pursue
Trade #2: Yet another move to bring in OG Anunoby
I’m sure at this point you’re sick of hearing about OG Anunoby, as it really seems like his name has been in trade rumors more than anyone else. However, if the Knicks can get him for the right price, they shouldn’t hesitate.
This trade came from Ryan Aston of Heavy.com and honestly, the Raptors would likely laugh and hang up the phone if this trade were proposed to them. However, in the case of the Knicks, this is a deal they should take and not think twice.
I know it may hurt to trade first-round picks, but what are the odds of the Knicks drafting a player even close to Anunoby? Especially when you consider that these picks will likely be in either the late teens or early twenties.
The 2023 Mavericks pick currently sits at No. 21 in the 2023 NBA Draft order, and with their front office looking to make moves towards contending, there’s a good chance it will go up even higher. As for the 2024 unprotected first-round pick for the Knicks, what are the odds of them being in the lottery next season, especially after adding a player like Anunoby?
These picks do not have much value. While I understand the Knicks have had success drafting in the later parts of round one, is it worth giving up a player like Anunoby just to take a hail mary on another prospect developing into maybe a solid role player?
At the end of the day, the Raptors wouldn’t even think of accepting this deal, however, in the land of hypotheticals this would work out perfectly for New York and the Knicks should accept this deal the second they are given the chance to if it is offered.
Verdict: Pursue
Trade #3: Sending Cam Reddish to Milwaukee for solid role players
While personally, I would rather see Cam Reddish be traded for a little more than this offer, it is very likely that he doesn’t have much more value than this and the Knicks may be forced to accept this deal if it’s on the table.
This deal came from Mark Nilon at Heavy.com and compared to the last article we looked over from their website, this one is a lot more realistic and more likely to happen before the trade deadline.
If the Knicks are unable to include Reddish in a trade for a genuinely good role player, this may be the best deal they could get. George Hill and Serge Ibaka may not be close to how good they used to be, but they could still provide some solid minutes in the case of an injury, especially Ibaka.
With Mitchell Robinson currently dealing with an injury, the Knicks would be with just one center if Isaiah Hartenstein or Jericho Sims go down with a problem of their own. If this is the case, the Knicks need to find themselves a new backup and Ibaka may be a top option for the right price.
The way the Reddish situation has gone down has been very unfortunate to watch over the last year, however, it’s very clear that he needs to be traded to help save his career.
Hill would likely be a much more interesting piece if he had not forgotten how to shoot. Prior to the last two seasons, Hill had been one of the most consistent three-point shooters in the entire NBA. However, from 2021-23, he has yet to shoot over 31% from behind the arc, taking away just about all of his value.
Considering all the reports that have come out surrounding Reddish’s value, this may not be a bad return at all for the 23-year-old. It’s a shame that the Knicks did not do what they could to maximize Reddish’s value, as they could’ve gotten a genuinely good return for him.
Verdict: Pursue
Trade #4: I’m getting tired of OG Anunoby trades
Here we are, yet another OG Anunoby trade, and as high as I am on Anunoby, the price might just be too much. Anunoby is an incredibly valuable player on both sides of the ball, but this trade would be removing one of the Knicks’ best two-way players from New York.
This trade came from SI’s Brett Siegel and it’s certainly interesting. Again, I think Anunoby would push the Knicks out of the play-in, but at the right price. In my opinion, this is a bit too much.
The biggest part of this deal from the Knicks is Immanuel Quickley, who has broken out into one of the most promising two-way guards in the NBA this season. While Anunoby would certainly help the Knicks defensively, losing Quickley wouldn’t do many positives for New York on both sides of the ball.
In addition to this, the Knicks would also be giving up three first-round picks. While previously I had said trading these picks would be worth it, the combination of Quickley AND three first-rounders is just too much.
At that point, you’re surrendering most of your draft capital for this season and one of your best players, which is not worth it for a player of Anunoby’s caliber. While Anunoby is practically as close to being an All-Star without actually being one as you can be, he has his limitations as a player that make this deal difficult to want to accept.
Anunoby is a heck of a defensive player, being one of, if not the most versatile defensive wings in the entire NBA. However, as solid as his offense is, he certainly has some limitations on that side of the ball.
For starters, Anunoby is not the greatest shot-creator which can really limit his offensive production at times. Alongside this, Anunoby isn’t great from mid-range either, which isn’t a big deal at all considering that he’s quite a good three-point shooter, but it’s still something worth noting.
As much as I’d love to have Anunoby on this team, the price Siegel wants the Knicks to pay is simply too much, thus making it the first pass of this edition of pass or pursue.
Verdict: Pass
Would Knicks be a contender after this deadline trade for OG Anunoby?
The New York Knicks want to upgrade without preventing a future blockbuster trade. This proposed trade for OG Anunoby could do the trick.