New York Knicks: Should De’Aaron Fox be a target at the trade deadline?

Should the New York Knicks pursue De’Aaron Fox at the NBA Trade Deadline? 

All in all, it’s been a disappointing season for the New York Knicks. After finishing as the No. 4 seed last year, I’m not sure many expected the Knicks to be sitting in the 12th spot of the Eastern Conference standings with the NBA’s All-Star break on the horizon.

Nevertheless, that’s exactly where the Knicks currently find themselves.

Short of a big turnaround during the push towards the playoffs, the Knicks are unlikely to find their way back to the postseason. Because of that, it could bring some big questions to how they should operate at the trade deadline.

One interesting report has indicated that they could be interested in a potential trade for De’Aaron Fox, which is interesting on several levels.

For one, adding a player as talented as Fox would theoretically be the answer to their never-ending questions at the point guard position. It’s one thing that the Knicks have been trying to do offseason after offseason, and Fox would remedy their efforts.

On the other hand, Fox is going to be costly. And the Knicks have to be sold that he’s a foundational piece. The Knicks can’t part with as many assets that it’s going to take to land Fox, for him to be a flop.

If the Knicks pursue and eventually add Fox, they’re going to need him to be a building block for the franchise. And that’s probably where the biggest concerns lie.

Fox has taken a bit of a step back this season, and that’s probably the biggest reason why his name has popped up in the rumor mill.

Last season, Fox averaged 25 points, seven assists, and four rebounds per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 32 percent shooting from 3-point range. This season, he’s averaged 21 points, five assists, and four rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent shooting from 3-point range.

His shooting efficiency has once again come to the forefront and has led to questions if he can be a star at the position.

A new start for Fox could be exactly what he needs. Question is, would he be worth what it could cost the Knicks?

For New York to land Fox, it will likely cost multiple first-round picks, one of their young players (perhaps Obi Toppin), and a salary filler such as Julius Randle (most likely) or Evan Fournier. That’s a lot for the Knicks to go all-in on a player such as Fox.

One thing’s for sure, this is the type of trade that can shape the next half-decade for a franchise. With that in mind, is Fox the type of player the Knicks want to go all-in on? If so, it appears that he could be gettable.