The New York Knicks have quickly become one of the feel-good stories of the NBA this season. The once-heralded Eastern Conference franchise has seemingly turned things around in the “Big Apple.” After a stretch of basketball for nearly a decade, the lowly Knicks have returned to relevance. New York would be in the playoffs if the regular season came to an end today.
The Knicks are currently in the mix for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. In addition they have a young core of talented players to coincide with a slew of future NBA Draft picks. The Knicks have both the players and the NBA Draft capital to make some serious noise ahead of the trade deadline. If the Knicks wanted to add a key player or even two, here's who should they focus on.
SG Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are struggling, sitting in last place in the east. With this franchise focusing on the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery, look for the Magic to potentially part ways with some veteran talent. The Magic need to gain additional draft capital or just some younger players to continue to build around.
For this reason, veteran shooting guard Evan Fournier could make his way out of Orlando and into the Knicks locker room. Expect the Knicks to be a team that will become buyers ahead of the trade deadline. New York currently has a slew of shooting guards at the team's disposal. This would allow the them to send some guards in a package with future draft picks back to Orlando.
Reggie Bullock, Austin Rivers, or even Kevin Knox, could all use a change of scenery. It's entirely possible that the Magic will be willing to take on some of these players coupled with some future picks. Bullock is currently in the final year of his deal with the Knicks. While the tandem of Rivers and Knox have fallen out of head coach Tom Thibodeau's rotation .
The Knicks need to surround the team's young guards and talented big men with some more shooting in order to truly compete in the Eastern Conference down the stretch.
SG Victor Oladipo, Houston Rockets
Already traded once this season, could veteran shooting guard Victor Oladipo be on the move again? Only time will tell, but one thing remains certain is that he can still play at a high level. With Julius Randle emerging as an All-Star for the Knicks this season, the big man could use some additional firepower on offense. With that in mind, perhaps the Knicks give up some young talent and a few future second-round picks in order to acquire the services of Oladipo. Even if it's for one year (as he is in the final year) it would be a big step forward for the Knicks.
The Rockets season is pretty much over, losers of 16 straight games. Houston would surely like to position itself nicely in the upcoming draft with a player like Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham sitting there atop the board. As a result, taking a low-level player coupled with some valuable draft capital could intrigue the Rockets. Oladipo was acquired by the Rockets as part of a package that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets.
Knicks Are In A Prime Position
As one of the best defensive teams in the league, the Knicks could definitely use some additional star power. A player like Oladipo can help take some of the offensive workload off Randle and RJ Barrett's hands as well. The Knicks are in a good place but could be in an even better place heading into the postseason with a player like Oladipo or Fournier on board.
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