Grade the Trade: Knicks can spark defense with champion reunion

Laying out the Knicks’ trade for a former champion

The New York Knicks are always going to play big under head coach Tom Thibodeau, which means their identity needs to be built on defense. One wing on the trade market is both an excellent defender and rebounder, and Dan Favale of Bleacher Report pitched a trade idea to bring him to the Big Apple. Should the Knicks trade for Josh Hart of the Portland Trail Blazers?

Josh Hart has an interesting contract structure. He has a player option for next season that he can exercise for $12.96 million. If he does, the salary is non-guaranteed and the team he is on can choose to waive him. That makes it likely he will choose to opt-out and sign a new contract, with Portland or with a new team. That has made him available heading into Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline.

The Trail Blazers have been looking for another big on the trade market, potentially because they want to move on from Jusuf Nurkic or at the least reduce his role on the team. Isaiah Hartenstein is one of the best backup bigs in the league and combines defense with playmaking that would be useful in the Blazers’ system. Cam Reddish would give them some verve on the wing as they look to build out the frontcourt around Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons.