Three veterans the Knicks should target before the trade deadline

• Knicks could be cautious buyers ahead of the trade deadline
• New York can add veteran help without giving up too much
• Who are possible trade targets as the Knicks look to end playoff drought?

As New York Knicks fans can attest, it has been an eternity since the future of the team was this bright.

Just after the All-Star break, the Knicks sit in the 6^th seed in the Eastern Conference, which was a far cry from where fans expected them to be this season. As it stands right now, the Knicks playoff chances are pretty realistic in terms of making the postseason. Even though the organization probably did not expect to be playing this well, the Knicks would be well served to serve as buyers during the NBA trade deadline.

For the better part of two decades, the Knicks have released or dealt useful rotation pieces to playoff contenders. This season, New York will sit on the other side of the table, and should consider trading for veteran players to bolster a young roster.

Who are some seasoned players the Knicks should consider trading for before the trade deadline?

J.J. Redick

The pairing between Redick and the Knicks almost makes too much sense. Even though New York is a respectable 12^th in the NBA in three point percentage, the players on their roster don’t have track records of being that lethal from downtown.

Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose, RJ Barrett and Julius Randle have been impressive, but it would be a lot to ask of them to continue their proficiency from deep.

Enter the veteran Redick into the equation. While his defense is not likely to be up to Tom Thibodeau standards, he could still come into the game for 15-20 minutes a night as a deadly floor spacer.

Teams will have no choice but to stay with him on the perimeter. This will allow cleaner driving lanes for other players on the court, and keep the Knicks offense fluid. Over and above these factors, Redick already has a home in the New York City, and may not mind living there in the spring and summer months.

Mason Plumlee

With Mitchell Robinson still nursing a hand injury, the Knicks have been somewhat shorthanded in their frontcourt. Julius Randle has played additional minutes to compensate, while Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson have done an admirable job filling in for the young center.

But it might behoove the team to bring in another experience player to help provide rebounding and toughness.

Mason Plumlee is having a solid year with a downtrodden Detroit Pistons team. He’s nearly averaging a double-double, and is just under 4 assists a night.

Those numbers would tank immeasurably if he’s traded to New York, but his intrinsic value would be immense. Even when Robinson comes back, it will be hard to fully trust him in big games since he’s so young. Gibson is a solid fill in player, but is not suited for heavy minutes at this stage of his career. Plumlee can still rebound well and provide a presence in the paint.

Moreover, the Knicks are $20 million under the cap, and can afford to absorb his salary.

P.J. Tucker

When fans think of the Knicks, one of the first things that comes to mind is Thibodeau and defense. When fans think of P.J. Tucker, that’s usually the first thing that comes to mind as well. The Rockets are currently 6 games out of the 10^th spot in the Western Conference, and it seems unlikely they’ll be able to go on a run to get back into the mix.

They’ve already traded star guard James Harden, released DeMarcus Cousins, and Tucker would seem to be next in line.

While Reggie Bullock has done an adequate job in the starting lineup this season, Tucker’s tenacity and grit on the perimeter are rivaled by few in the NBA.

His acclimation to the Knicks would take little to no time, and New York’s ability to shut teams down would get that much more frightening.
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