Not many had the New York Knicks firmly in the playoff picture as the trade deadline approached at the beginning of the season. Not only are they in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference with a 22-22 record, they could potentially be buyers at the trade deadline, something almost unimaginable when the season started.
Most viewed this as a long play for the Knicks, who have a young roster and Tom Thibodeau in Year 1 as the head coach. Instead, the Knicks are competing now and have been a great story to follow. If the Knicks do intend on buying at the trade deadline, they have one glaring need that needs to be addressed: shooting.
You could make a case for a dynamic point guard instead, but the Knicks need an upgrade with legitimate shooters. A combination of Immanuel Quickley, Elfrid Payton, Derrick Rose when he returns and a sprinkle of Frank Ntilikina will suffice at point guard for the rest of this season. The lack of proven perimeter threats will not.
New York is 28th in points per game (105.3) and 22nd in offensive rating. While they've been efficient from 3-point range (37.7%), they still only make 10.8 per game, which is 27th.
Names like Evan Fournier and JJ Redick have been bounced around in rumor discussions and potential Knicks targets with the possibility of a package including Redick and Lonzo Ball being an option for New York. That would kill two birds with one stone. But the shooting needs to take priority.
This Knicks team has taken after Thibodeau, grinding out possessions and games with relentlessness. On the offensive side, not a whole lot comes easy for the Knicks, so adding a stone-cold shooter could open things up and spread things out. It won't make the Knicks a title contender, but that's not the goal this year. Having more flow and rhythm to the offense is a must nonetheless, and providing shooting options can do that.
Redick can still get it done even at 36. Though his averages have drastically dipped off this year in New Orleans, it's become clear that a fresh start is needed for both starts.
Fournier, meanwhile, is currently engulfed in a season that has him averaging his most points ever (19.6) while shooting 38% from three with an effective field goal percentage of 55%. With the Magic in the cellar of the East, it makes sense for them to build up younger assets and draft capital.
What the Knicks have to decide is whether or not they deem it “worth it” to buy at the deadline. Ian Begley of SNY had mentioned that some in the organization don't want to shake up the current team chemistry because they have a real good vibe going. Julius Randle has emerged as an All-Star, RJ Barrett is quietly putting together a really good season and rookie Immanuel Quickley appears to have a very bright future with a massive ceiling.
If the Knicks do add at the deadline, they'd be wise to add shooting.
Follow Us
Subscribe