The Knicks remain open to absorbing contracts from teams looking to dump salary in exchange for draft compensation or future assets.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, teams are still looking to the Knicks for salary dump moves even after the Ed Davis trade.
The Knicks currently have $18 million in cap space without a clear use for it. Reportedly, at least one member of the Knicks front office is interested in pursuing former all-star Victor Oladipo.
Russell Westbrook remains the odd man out on the trade block despite being the only player in NBA history to average a triple double in three straight seasons. Few teams have interest in trading for the MVP point guard who averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists last season for the Houston Rockets. Mark the Knicks down as a team with little interest, according to Begley. If you would have told someone five years ago that not a single team wants Russell Westbrook, averaging those stats, they probably wouldn’t have believed you. Perhaps it’s partly due to his colossal contract ($131 million over the next three seasons).
‘Be Myself’
But that is where we currently stand, and quite honestly, it makes sense. Russell Westbrook wants out of Houston and wants to go somewhere where he can be himself. Maybe that idea alone is what’s scaring teams away.
He would definitely have the freedom to be himself on the Knicks considering the makeup of their roster – and that’s exactly the problem.
As exciting as watching Westbrook in a Knicks uniform would be, it’s hard to justify that decision when you have a team of young players striving to build chemistry and grow together.
If ‘being himself’ means the entire Knicks offense revolves around Westbrook driving to the rim each possession and kicking it out when he feels like it – than the Knicks should want no part of a trade for the former MVP.
RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and Mitchell Robinson need the MSG spotlight right now – not Russell Westbrook. We know those three players are our cornerstone pieces, now it’s time to learn how good players like Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr., and Frank Ntilikina can be. Let’s give them a chance to play as a team and rely on each other – a prospect difficult to envision with Westbrook around.
CP interviewed former NBA player Channing Frye and asked for his opinion on a Westbrook deal. He thinks the Knicks should go all-in for the former MVP.
