Jalen Brunson's injury absence has further proven the New York Knicks need another ballhandler after trading Immanuel Quickley to the Raptors. With the trade deadline a little over three weeks away, the Knicks have time to make a move.
On Tuesday, The Athletic's Fred Katz reported that New York is "actively fielding offers" for Quentin Grimes (subscription required) and hopes to package him and Evan Fournier together in a deal for a facilitator.
Katz added that rather than wait until the offseason to see which stars are available, the Knicks "prefer" to flip Fournier before the deadline. The hope is that the player New York trades for (if that's what happens) will be able to be included in a trade for a star over the summer if needed.
There are several players who could be traded that fit the Knicks' criteria, but there are three they should prioritize over the others.
3 facilitators the Knicks should target in Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier trade
3: Jordan Clarkson
Making a trade with Danny Ainge isn't preferable, but not impossible. In 2022, Quentin Grimes was viewed as untouchable in trade talks with the Jazz for Donovan Mitchell, which wasn't entirely true. Grimes could be dealt to Utah less than a year and a half later.
After 2023-24, Jordan Clarkson will have two full seasons left on his contract. The 31-year-old is averaging 17.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, shooting 41.9% from the field.
Clarkson would be a solid backup ballhandler for the Knicks and provide a source of scoring off the bench. Granted, he's played in at least 27 minutes in his last six games, but he scored in double digits in all of them. That doesn't include the 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists he dropped against the Mavericks on Jan. 1, the first time a Jazz player recorded a triple-double.
He won Sixth Man of the Year in 2021 and is an appealing enough player that New York could include him in a trade for a star.
2. Terry Rozier
If you haven't been paying much attention to Terry Rozier this season, it's probably because he plays for the Hornets. With LaMelo Ball playing in only 17 games in 2023-24, Rozier has been Charlotte's best player this season. The 29-year-old's averaging a career-high 24 points and 6.8 assists per game, shooting 45.7% from the field and 36.9% from deep.
He hasn't been in a bench role since the 2018-19 season, his last in Boston, but it's hard to think he wouldn't be open to the opportunity of doing so in New York.
After 2023-24, Rozier will have one full year left on his contract at $24.9 million with a partly guaranteed salary of $26.6 million in 2025-26. The Knicks certainly wouldn't be the only team interested in the guard, but offering Grimes could help. The Hornets would get a good, young guard to pair alongside Ball. Like the Quickley situation, Charlotte could take Grimes instead of a first-round pick.
If Rozier's traded to New York, he could put on a show to end the season (especially in the playoffs) before potentially being included in a trade for a star.
1. Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon's name has popped up the most out of all the players linked to the Knicks in the past few weeks. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award over Quickley last year and could be the one to replace him.
Brogdon is on a lowly Trail Blazers team and could very well be moved to a contender/potential contender by Feb. 8. Similar to Charlotte, Portland could covet Grimes in its rebuild after the Damian Lillard trade over the summer.
Brogdon's the ideal player New York is after. He's set to make $22.5 million in 2024-25 before hitting unrestricted free agency. The Trail Blazers should definitely look to move on from him now so that they can get something of value in return.
The 31-year-old's averaging 14.7 points and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 43.2% from the field and 41.3% from three. He's started in only 16 games because Portland is prioritizing its young talent.
Brogdon would be the most natural fit off the bench for the Knicks. He'll most likely be traded in the next few weeks, and New York could be his landing spot.