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NBA Trade Rumors: Why the New York Knicks should pursue De’Aaron Fox

By Rodney Pyram

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings dribbling the ball drives towards the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA game at Golden 1 Center on January 19, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings dribbling the ball drives towards the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA game at Golden 1 Center on January 19, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Rumors: Why the New York Knicks should target De’Aaron Fox. 

With the New York Knicks currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings, with a record of 24-29, they are running out of time to make ground.

This roster is flawed and they are closer to being a bad team than they are a good one. But as flawed as this roster is, one move could turn this ball club into a competitive playoff team. The Knicks have longed for a true floor general.

They have missed plenty of opportunities to upgrade the point guard position via trade or draft for years now. But there is an available option on the trade market that would instantly be the best point guard the Knicks have had since Stephon Marbury.

That point guard is De’Aaron Fox.

Currently in a down year, while sharing point guard duties with rookie point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Fox is currently averaging  21 points and 5.2 assists per game – again, in a down year.

Last year, Fox averaged a career-high 25.2 points and 7.2 assists per game. His ability to penetrate the heart of the defense and dish is something the Knicks only have with Derrick Rose, who is 33 years old and currently sidelined due to injury. Fox, who is 24 years old, is locked into his contract for the next four years.

While shooting has never been his mainstay, currently shooting a dreadful 24.8 percent from 3 this season, he has had previous seasons of shooting as high as 37 percent from 3. Imagining playing a young nucleus of RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, and Immanuel Quickley would leave most Knicks fans salivating at the mouth.

The potential to grow a young and talented, up-and-coming team, perhaps such as the Memphis Grizzlies is not a hard sell at all.

What would acquiring Fox cost the New York Knicks?

Acquiring Fox would most certainly cost the Knicks first-round pick guaranteed, probably more. This is not a deal-breaker as the Knicks have all their future first-round picks along with the Dallas’ 2023 first-round pick from the Kristaps Porzingis trade from 2019.

They will also likely have to part ways with a young player, like Quickley, who has been struggling this season, and a vet or vets like Kemba Walker and/or Evan Fournier, for salary matching purposes. Trading Julius Randle for Fox would also be palatable to the Kings but it doesn’t appear the Knicks are ready to trade Randle just yet.

Why would the Sacramento Kings want to trade Fox? 

They might not be. As a matter of fact, they’ve said that they aren’t actively trading him. But rumors have swirled that he could be had for the right price. Haliburton, who had 17 assists last night for the Kings, is the future of the franchise at the point guard position. The Kings could parlay the speedy guard for additional assets to piece around Haliburton in the years to come.

Next. NBA Trade Rumors: 9 bold predictions for the trade deadline. dark

If the Kings are really looking to move on from Fox, the Knicks should do everything they reasonably can to get him. In an effort to salvage the rest of this season and beyond, they have three days to do so.

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