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After a magical 2020-21 season, the Knicks fell flat and are mightily struggling this year. Some of the Knicks trade ideas 2022 we’ll discuss below are designed to help them down the stretch.
Knicks trade ideas 2022
The Knicks are expected to become one of the busiest teams ahead of the trade deadline. Unlike last year, they are now at risk of missing the playoffs and even the play-in tournament.
New York is ranked 24th in offensive rating and 12th in defensive rating. Their scrappy defense is still there but clearly, they need major help on the offensive end. They just can’t rely on Julius Randle‘s scoring and playmaking alone.
To make things worse, Randle has been underperforming this year. This season, he averages 18.5 points, 10 rebounds, 5.1 assists on 41/30/75 shooting splits. The numbers are still good but his efficiency has nosedived.
What the Knicks need is a solid scoring and playmaking threat, especially at the point guard position. They have a lot of assets that they can trade to get the upgrade they need.
Here are the best Knicks trade deadline targets…
De’Aaron Fox
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Knicks have shown their interest in trading for De’Aaron Fox. This trade has been gaining buzz lately since New York needs a lead guard who can score at will and make plays.
Fox is having a down year this season with the averages of 21 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 25% shooting from three. While it’s still solid numbers, it was far from his breakout season last year. The crowded Kings backcourt of Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell, and Buddy Hield hasn’t help either.
However, this deal is only realistic if the Knicks decide to swap Julius Randle for him. Obviously, Sacramento would want to bolster their frontcourt in exchange for Fox. It seems that Marvin Bagley is a lost cause for the Kings already and Randle would be a major upgrade over him.
A trade centered around Fox and Randle matches up financially as well. Fox is in the first season of his five-year, $163 million contract, and Randle has a four-year, $117 million contract extension which will begin next season.
Goran Dragic
Goran Dragic is one of the best trade deadline players available for teams looking for a veteran point guard.
The 35-year old veteran can still provide a solid scoring and playmaking threat for the Knicks. Dragic averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on 43% shooting in his last season in Miami.
He’s also one of the best players to have in the locker room with his leadership.
It’s clear that Dragic isn’t part of the Raptors’ plans since they want to develop their young players. If the Knicks wanted a one-year rental for a solid point guard, then targeting him makes sense.
It’s clear that the Kemba Walker experiment has failed in New York, too.
Thus, this deal will definitely include Walker and another player at least to match with Dragic’s one-year, $18 million salary.
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson‘s rumors have piped down over the last few weeks since but he’s still a sneaky target for the Knicks. After all, he still remains on their radar since it was reported that he has lots of connections in New York.
Brunson is currently in a breakout season with the averages of 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 50% shooting. He’s a solid scorer and playmaker who plays scrappy defense and isn’t afraid to throw his body out there.
The asking price wouldn’t be cheap, though. The Mavericks wouldn’t ever consider trading him if it’s just a bunch of aging veterans. They would get at least a first-round pick and one of their promising talents like Immanuel Quickley or Obi Toppin in the deal.
If New York believes there’s a Fred VanVleet-type potential ahead of Brunson, then they should aggressively pursue him. Giving up one of their talents currently and one of their picks may sound rich but that’s the price you have to pay to win now and on the mid-term.
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