Rumors about DeMar DeRozan and his availability are swirling. Should the Knicks pursue a trade for the All-Star wing?
Like clockwork, the New York Knicks are back at the heart of trade rumors.
With the 6-14 Chicago Bulls in a whirlpool of never-ending mediocrity, discussions about Zach LaVine trades have already become. But this time, it’s their other scoring wing causing the commotion. The Athletic’s Sam Amick recently reported that DeMar DeRozan would prefer to be traded to the New York Knicks or Los Angeles Lakers if he were to be moved.
On the last year of his deal at $28.6 million, DeRozan is currently averaging 21.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists for Chicago while shooting 45 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three, and 81 percent from the line.
The Knicks have been patient with their assets since clearing cap space to acquire Jalen Brunson in the summer of 2022. The market for star-level talent remains relatively dry as teams play out their seasons with high hopes, whether false or valid. Is DeMar DeRozan worth the gamble?
At 34 years old, his game has declined in production and efficiency. His 27.9 points per game and clutch fourth-quarter scoring helped carry the Bulls to the playoffs just two seasons ago. Now, his field goal percentage this season is his lowest since 2016. The points and assists marks have also not been this low since 2015 and 2017, respectively.
Throughout his career, DeRozan has developed a reputation for being a careless, non-competitive defender. While his scoring ability is still more than respectable, his two-point percentage has fallen from 52.6 in 2022-23 to 46.5 this year, and the ceiling on his defense remains average-at-best.
DeRozan’s Fit with the Knicks
The New York Knicks are 12-7 despite a tough schedule to begin the season and minuscule offensive production from their starting shooting guard, Quentin Grimes. Like most teams, they are at their best when they have efficient scoring, consistent shooting, and tough defense.
The Knicks could use another shot-creator and playmaker as a solution to RJ Barrett and Julius Randle’s inconsistency. DeRozan’s mid-range prowess could no doubt help carry the Knicks through their frequent offensive lulls. He also has a knack for getting to the line (6.7 attempts per game) and bailing out a stagnant offense with tough shot-making.
However, adding him to a starting lineup that includes Brunson and Randle would likely shatter the synergy of a defense led by Mitchell Robinson, Grimes, and RJ Barrett. Per Statmuse, the Knicks have the fourth-best defensive rating in the league at 110.1.
Even with a respectable three-point percentage, DeRozan is a timid shooter from distance, averaging just 2.5 attempts per game. He prefers to operate around the free throw line and elbows, where Brunson and Randle also like to reside. The spacing with that trio, Barrett, and Mitchell Robinson would cause headaches, and the Knicks have enough hesitant shooters as is.
At this stage in his career, DeRozan may be willing to come off the bench. The optics of acquiring a 34-year-old former All-Star with his salary to be the 6th or 7th man, however, would cause a frenzy amongst New York media and fans alike. Also, a Barrett, Hart, and DeRozan bench unit would create spacing issues similar to the theoretical starting lineup.
The Price for DeRozan
As soon as Amick reported the news, everyone hit the trade machines to confirm a collective inclination: Evan Fournier and Quentin Grimes for DeMar DeRozan does, in fact, work financially, and the Knicks have some protected picks to make an enticing offer. As Fournier’s guaranteed money expires this season, many fans expect the Knicks to include him in another mid-season move for an upgrade to the rotation.
It’s easy to sell imaginary stock on Grimes, who is at the lowest point of his career given role and expectations—he is averaging just 6.2 points on an abysmal .508 true shooting percentage. But it’s also important to remember that he is 23 years old, a valuable defender on opposing guards, and under team control for cheap until the end of the 2024-25 season.
Quentin Grimes was included in trade conversations for Donovan Mitchell. Flipping him for 60 games of post-prime DeMar DeRozan feels like an excessively high risk and an uncharacteristic move for this current front-office regime. That’s not to say that Grimes can still net a star-level talent, but any move at this point with risk should either maximize team needs or come with a clear-cut future beyond this season, and I don’t think Deebo does either.
If the Knicks wanted to pursue Bulls guard Alex Caruso, either separately or as part of a DeRozan deal, that might be more appealing to this Knicks’ team given his elite defense and championship-level reliability. But Caruso’s $9.4 million salary would be awkward to match, and, ultimately, the Knicks would find themselves in a bidding war with about 10 other teams also interested in his services. But that’s a conversation for another day.
Verdict: Do Not Pursue
DeMar DeRozan is still an excellent offensive player who can command attention with his ability to score in isolation. But what he would bring to the Knicks, an iso-heavy team already, is too redundant for its reward. We don’t even have to get into his lackluster playoff resume.
If the Knicks want to find a solution for the shooting guard position, they’re better off running Immanuel Quickley or Donte DiVincenzo next to Brunson or giving Grimes more time to find his rhythm. Perhaps a better option will hit the trade market soon.
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