As the 2020-21 NBA trade deadline approaches, the New York Knicks are ready to wheel and deal. Leon Rose and company kicked off trade season by reuniting former NBA MVP Derrick Rose with Coach Thibs in New York City. Now, with $15 million in available cap space, the team can continue to maneuver.
In a unique situation, the Knicks have the flexibility to absorb bad contracts and add to their plentiful asset pool. On the other hand, they could make upgrades to their roster to make a playoff run or to add players that better complement Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. Better yet, they could do all of the above! This piece will detail both of these avenues while analyzing potential trade targets for the New York Knicks following the Derrick Rose trade!
Trade Deadline: March 25
Do you hear that? Yes, that’s right, the season of transactions is upon us. That sound you’re hearing is the winds of NBA trade season whirling as the deadline grows closer. Each day, we hear a new piece of speculation linking Player X to Team Y with rumors varying from likely moves to pure fantasy. In fact, it is often up to us as armchair GMs to decipher which is which. Usually, the Knicks find themselves in the eye of the trade season hurricane of rumors but for all the wrong reasons.
Last year, the horrifying rumors fans had to endure involved the Knicks trading a majority of their assets to Golden State for D’Angelo Russell while being unwilling to trade their best asset, Marcus Morris. While either of these scenarios could have massively derailed the Knicks future, the mere existence of these rumors floating around in the universe led to the firing of Steve Mills and gifted Knicks fans Leon Rose. The Knicks definitely won that swap if you ask me.
More moves on the Way?
With Rose at the helm, the Knicks have been significantly more shrewd, calculated, and measured with their vision of team building as compared to past regimes, at least so far. For this reason, the rumors surrounding the Knicks have been lesser in quantity and smaller in magnitude than we’re accustomed to, which is frankly quite refreshing. However, as his first deadline as President of Basketball Operations approaches, the Knicks have still been linked to several players across the league that appear to be on the move. In fact, this new regime wasted little time before seizing the opportunity to trade for a player they had been eyeing since the summer, Derrick Rose.
In this deal, the Knicks sent out Dennis Smith Jr. who was recently self-relegated to the G-League and a 2021 second-round pick courtesy of the Charlotte Hornets. While it is too early to evaluate this trade on the court, it shows that Leon Rose will not be shy to capitalize on the opportunity to add talent for the right price. Many of these rumored names could serve as intriguing options for both the short-term and long-term success of the organization on the court, obviously depending on the price tag. The question now becomes, will Rose and Company remain patient, or are they ready to further place their fingerprints on this rebuild? Without further ado, let’s analyze some trade candidates for the New York Knicks!
J.J. Redick
It has been well reported that both Redick and the Pelicans appear to be in agreement that a change of scenery is needed for the veteran sniper. The Pelicans have been rumored to be scouring the trade market seeking major upgrades to build around Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson meaning the remainder of Redick’s $13 million expiring contract would likely have to be moved in the process. Redick is in the midst of one of his poorer seasons as a pro, averaging 8 PPG on 34% shooting from the field and 30% from three-point land. Though it is expected that Redick will break out of his shooting slump, there is no guarantee he will return to form as a lethal shooter. Any team interested in acquiring his services must consider the fact that he does not provide much else on the floor when his shot isn’t falling.
J.J. Prefers the Mecca?
As it has become more evident that J.J. and the Pelicans will likely part ways, rumors have speculated that Redick would not mind calling Madison Square Garden home. For the Knicks, a return to form for Redick would bring much needed shooting to the starting lineup around a unit that should be able to cover for his defensive deficiencies. Even if Redick fails to return to form, the Knicks can let his contract expire and wash their hands of this experiment. Due to the salary cap circumstances around the league and the Pelican’s obvious desire to make a move, the price for Redick could end up being miniscule. In fact, the Knicks may even be able to grab an asset off New Orleans depending on how desperate they become.
Lonzo Ball
Only one season after being a key part of the Anthony Davis blockbuster, it appears that the Pelicans are prepared to move on from former second overall pick Lonzo Ball. Ball is in the final year of his rookie deal and has been vocal about wanting to get paid this offseason. Though Zo has yet to live up to the pre-draft hype surrounding him, he has consistently shown flashes of his immense talent. While Ball’s 13 PPG, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on 40/43/64 is nothing to write home about, suitors of the young guard will hope to further unlock his game.
One of the teams reportedly monitoring his situation is the New York Knicks who appear to be looking to upgrade from Elfrid Payton. Though his shooting numbers have not been great this year, Zo has been playing well as of late and displayed the ability to get hot from deep.
Offensively, he’s a high-level playmaker who struggles attacking and finishing the rim. Defensively, he is a Swiss army knife who uses his basketball IQ to wreak havoc and create turnovers. Though his value has decreased, any team attempting to acquire Lonzo will likely have to give up some form of draft capital to get a deal done with New Orleans. As he is heading into restricted free agency this offseason, if the Knicks were willing to part with future draft picks in a deal it would indicate that they likely plan on re-signing the point guard. If I were the Knicks, I would offer a package centered around Kevin Knox and future second round picks to pry Lonzo from the Pelicans.
Crowded Backcourt?
Though some have thrown around the possibility of moving the 2023 Dallas pick in a deal for Ball, that price is a bit too much for me. However, with Derrick Rose recently being dealt to New York, dealing for Lonzo becomes a bit more complicated as it would further crowd a crammed backcourt. At the same time, lineup combinations featuring Lonzo/Rose or Lonzo/IQ could be very interesting to watch and potentially quite productive. Depending on the true trade market that develops for Zo, I would not be surprised to see the Knicks buy low on the young, talented guard regardless of the questionable fit at the moment.
Zach LaVine
After emerging on the scene as a near all-star last season, Zach LaVine has once again taken his game to another level. The 25-year-old guard is averaging 26 PPG to go along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists on 50% from the field and 40% from long range as he appears to be on track for his first career all-star nod this year. Throughout the offseason, there were many rumors of LaVine wanting out of the Windy City however these conversations quieted down after the hiring of Billy Donovan. Nonetheless, teams around the league continue to monitor LaVine’s availability.
Unlike the other possible Knicks’ trade targets mentioned in this piece, LaVine’s contract does not expire until the summer of 2022 at a reasonable rate of $19 million per year. Due to this team control, the Knicks would likely have to pay a steeper price to acquire the services of the dynamic guard. Though the price tag to get a deal done would likely be exorbitant, LaVine’s scoring ability and gravity would drastically improve the Knicks’ 25th ranked offense allowing more space for both RJ Barrett and Julius Randle to operate. While relinquishing multiple first round picks to get a player of LaVine’s caliber may not align with the Knicks current timeline, it is definitely an avenue that Leon Rose should explore.
Victor Oladipo
After unexpectedly being moved to Houston in the James Harden blockbuster trade, it appears Victor Oladipo will be moved again by the NBA trade deadline. According to multiple reports, the Rockets are open to trading the 28-year-old guard as he is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason. Though he has never truly returned to form following his brutal knee injury, Oladipo is currently averaging a solid 20 PPG. 5 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 41% from the field and 34% from three-point land. With Scott Perry, the man who originally drafted Oladipo in Orlando, still roaming the halls of Madison Square Garden, it should come as no surprise that the Knicks are closely monitoring his availability.
As Oladipo is heading into free agency, a trade for him should theoretically not cost the Knicks much more than a young player like Kevin Knox or Frank Ntilikina and a future 2nd round pick. Similar to LaVine, Oladipo’s offensive game and versatility would turn the Knicks’ low-ranking offense into a formidable force for many defenses.
Destined for South Beach?
However, the Knicks must be careful to not overpay if a deal were to be done. Many around the league believe that Oladipo is destined to flock to Miami this offseason which I imagine would make many teams pause before giving up anything of substantial value in a deal to acquire him.
Furthermore, trading for Oladipo means the Knicks are also trading for the right to pay him an additional year on his next contract. Even if he were to return to his All-NBA form, paying a 28-year-old, injury prone player like Oladipo a near max deal over the next couple of seasons seems like a risky proposition for a team still years away from contention. With that being said, Oladipo alongside Barrett and Randle could be a fun experiment for the remainder of the season if the price is right.
As the trade deadline rapidly approaches, one can only imagine that even more rumors surrounding the Knicks will continue to surface. While it is evident that Leon Rose and company are unwilling to soil future flexibility and assets in a nearsighted move, it is believed that the Knicks will be in the market to acquire talent for the right price as they did with Derrick Rose. What is the right price? We likely won’t know until a deal is done. Until then… sit back, relax, and let Leon handle the rest!
Lonzo can unlock Mitch.