NBA Trade Deadline: Grading every team’s 2022 deadline moves

New York Knicks: D

Coming off an exciting playoff run last season, the New York Knicks have come back to reality, currently sitting at 26-31 in the East. Despite this, they ended up sitting with their current roster through the deadline, not shaking anything up. That Julius Randle contract is looking worse by the day, and although it’s incredibly hard to move him, they could have dealt veterans such as Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, and Kemba Walker relatively easily.

These moves would have opened up minutes for young assets such as Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes. The franchise should be going in this direction, rather than chasing another playoff berth off the back of middling vets.

Oklahoma City Thunder: C-

Perhaps the most surprising lack of movement at the deadline, Sam Presti didn’t take on any salary for additional draft capital. Considerably under the salary floor, the Thunder had many options to take on salary but chose to stand still. You can’t blame them too much, as they already have upwards of 20 first-rounder selections, but it’s shocking nonetheless.