New York Knicks: How to build the team in three phases during the offseason
By Nick Alvarez
Another great thing the Knicks have right now is assets to make a trade. Whether that means veteran players who could continue to contribute to winning teams or young players who haven’t proven their talents and might be up for grabs like Dennis Smith Jr.
If the Knicks want to explore the trade market to bring fill out their needs there are certainly some intriguing players they can bring in to do so.
New York Knicks trade target: Chris Paul, guard
This has been a rumor that has been met with much debate, but it feels like risk the Knicks should take. Leon Rose landing his former client Chris Paul would be excellent even if there is some risk to it.
What the Knicks get in Paul is one of the greatest floor-generals of all-time, a player who has shown this past year in Oklahoma City that he still has value. His contract may be large and he might only have so much left in the tank but if Paul can come in and play how he did this year at least for a year while another point guard learns behind him it would be worth it.
With Paul, the Knicks get a career 37 percent 3-point shooter and passer who has averaged 9.5 assists a game for his career.
Sure the elite quickness is gone but Paul is still one of the smartest players in the game, and a player that will play with effort on both ends. He can be a major factor in accelerating the growth of the Knicks young duo.
The upside is just too good.
New York Knicks trade target: Nemanja Bjelica, stretch-big
With one year remaining on his contract, the Kings might be looking to sell high on their sniper big man Nemanja Bjelica, and if that’s the case the Knicks should be quick to pounce. Bjelica is an above-average big on the defensive end but if there’s one thing Bjelica can do is shoot.
The past three seasons he’s been a 41 percent shooter from 3, and for his career, he’s 39 percent. If the Knicks need someone to come in and shoot light out from the corner or in pick-and-pop situations he should be their guy.
He might be 32 years old but he projects to still have an excellent number of years in him due to the shooting stroke and it would be a better trade than the Knicks targeting someone like Kevin Love who has a massive multi-year contract.
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Netting Bjelica could be one of the final contributing pieces the Knicks need.