Breaking down five secondary playmakers the New York Knicks can target by offering Quentin Grimes via trade heading into the deadline.
After making the bold move for OG Anunoby a few weeks ago, you can't help but wonder what may lie ahead for the New York Knicks heading into the NBA Trade Deadline. I don't think the Knicks made the move for Anunoby to sit idly by with the golden opportunity to make another addition before the stretch run.
According to a recent report, the Knicks are exploring the possibility of adding another piece of the puzzle ahead of the stretch run. New York is in search of an additional ball-handler opposite of Jalen Brunson. Over the next few weeks, the Knicks are likely going to explore a few options. We break down five trade candidates that could make sense for New York.
T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers
If the Knicks are looking for strictly a backup point guard, there may not be a better option considering the role than T.J. McConnell. Over the course of his career, McConnell has shown the exact type of professionalism that you want from the position. He's on a good contract and due just $16 million over the next two seasons. He also has a team option for the $9-plus million he's due for the 2025-26 season.
Averaging eight points and five assists per game on 53 percent shooting from the field, McConnell could provide great value off the bench for the Knicks. If there is one concern, I would suppose, it's the fact that he's not much of a 3-point shooter. Would that be a deal-breaker for the Knicks?
Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards
In the final year of his contract with the Washington Wizards, in what has become a breakout year, it would be downright shocking if Tyus Jones wasn't moved ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. The Wizards have the opportunity to cash in on Jones' emergence with the team by moving him ahead of the deadline. There are already whispers that teams are interested in making a move for Jones. If they haven't already registered interest in Jones yet, the New York Knicks should probably do so fairly soon.
It may be disappointing for Jones to make the move back to a bench player but perhaps jumping on the Knicks bandwagon would make the demotion a bit easier to swallow. After all, making the move from being a starter for the Wizards to being a backup for the Knicks would likely be worth the hassle. Even if it is for one season.
In what has become a standout season, the 27-year-old point guard is averaging 13 points and six assists on 52 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz
If the Utah Jazz are genuinely open to trading anyone on their roster, there should be a flurry of teams on the phone asking about Collin Sexton. One of those teams could be the New York Knicks. At this point in his career, Sexton has some rebuilding of his reputation to do if he wants to be viewed as a legitimate starting point guard in the league. Perhaps he can do some of that with the Knicks backing up Jalen Brunson.
Sexton hasn't consistently been the player he was before his knee injury with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The hope was that he would be able to tap back into that player with the Jazz, but that simply hasn't happened. Maybe another change of scenery is exactly what Sexton needs at this point in his career. At just 25 years old, playing with a chip on his shoulder, he could be a worthy gamble for a team like the Knicks.
Would the Jazz be willing to make such a swap for Quentin Grimes, a salary filler, and a future first-rounder? Who knows, but it's certainly a conversation that the Knicks should have ahead of the deadline.
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
If the New York Knicks are in the market for a dynamic combo guard to play next to Jalen Brunson or even off the bench, Terry Rozier is likely a player whose name is going to pop up. The 29-year-old is averaging 24 points and seven assists on 46 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent shooting from 3-point range.
If there is one big hurdle in a potential pursuit of Rozier, it could be his contract. But even that isn't what many believe it is.
Rozier's contract isn't as bad as it may seem on paper. Sure, he has another year on the books for $24-plus million but has a team option for the 2025-26 season. On the trade block, that team option could be viewed as a tool heading toward next season. And if he pans out with the Knicks, New York effectively has control over his contract through the 2025-26 season. From a logistical standpoint, a Rozier for Quentin Grimes + Evan Fournier swap works. New York could throw in some draft capital (perhaps two second-round picks or one first-round pick) to cement this deal between them and the Hornets.
Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers
Considering what the New York Knicks could use behind Jalen Brunson and in the backcourt, there's an argument to be made that Malcolm Brogdon is the perfect trade target heading into the deadline. Heading into the deadline, there's probably a strong chance that Brogdon ends up being traded. Even though he has another year remaining on his contract, Brogdon could be viewed as a two-year project for the Knicks.
And if New York needed to find a way to move him in a bigger move during the offseason, the Knicks wouldn't have much problem finding a market for him. On the court, Brogdon is having an underrated season. He's averaging 15 points and five assists on 41 percent shooting from 3-point range so far this season in 30 games played for the Blazers.
If he could bring that level of consistency off the bench or even in a starting role next to Brunson, it could make all the difference for a team that is looking to take a step forward in the Eastern Conference standings. Considering the Blazers are in the early stages of their rebuild, you'd have to imagine they'd be open to a Quentin Grimes for Brogdon swap at the deadline.