Ranking players linked to the Knicks in trade rumors ahead of deadline

Tier 2: High-minute rotation players

While the Knicks typically run a nine-man rotation, there are only a few players that regularly provide the difference between wins and losses. When fully healthy this category consists of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes.

The players in this tier would enter that group.

Malik Beasley

The combination of Vanderbilt as well as sharpshooter Malik Beasley has been discussed as a potential return in a Toppin trade. Beasley has fluctuated this season as a starter and reserve but is putting up impressive numbers in Utah.

He’s averaging 13.5 points and 3.5 rebounds on 40-36-81 splits. While his shooting numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet, it’s important to note that he takes 8.6 threes per game. In fact, he’s sixth in the entire league in made three-pointers.

On the other hand, the Knicks only have one player that shoots more than five threes per game while hitting higher than 35% of those looks (Quentin Grimes, who averages 5.4 attempts). Beasley provides the high-volume shooting threat that forces defenses to extend and can open up driving lanes for others.

Saddiq Bey

With the Detroit Pistons heading toward another rough season, the Knicks have expressed interest in offensive-minded forward Saddiq Bey.

The 23-year-old has had a solid career thus far, but he hasn’t become the highly efficient wing scorer that the Pistons thought they were getting when they selected him 19th overall back in 2020.

Bey is averaging 15.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game this season, with shooting splits of 41-35-86.

The Knicks don’t have a bigger forward that can create offense since Cam Reddish was benched, which is where Bey would come in. He’s 6’7″ and 215 pounds, with a 6’11” wingspan.

The hope is that a smaller role would increase Bey’s efficiency and allow him to concentrate on defense, where he could finally use his physical tools to become a force on that end. Trading for him would absolutely be an upside-focused move, but it could pay off in a major way if he pans out.

Alex Caruso

Caruso has become one of the best defenders in the NBA over the past few seasons, receiving All-Defensive team votes in each of the past two years. With the Chicago Bulls struggling mightily this season, there are rumors that the front office could blow up the current core.

While Caruso’s averages of 5.7 points and 3.3 assists per game are modest at best, they don’t come close to telling the full story regarding his impact on a nightly basis.

His 1.7 steals per game ranks fifth in the league, despite playing just 24.1 minutes per night. He ranks second in the NBA in defensive box plus/minus and 18th in individual defensive rating.

In fact, he has the highest net rating on the Bulls amongst players with at least 30 appearances.

He’d immediately become the best one-on-one defender in the rotation if he were to end up in New York. It isn’t hard to imagine the Knicks having a top-five defense with Robinson protecting the paint and Caruso patrolling the perimeter.