Reports from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst to Malika Andrews on NBA Today revealed that the New York Knicks are willing to engage in conversations regarding the trade of several seasoned players leading up to the February 10 cutoff.
“In recent talks with various teams, the Knicks have shown a readiness to discuss the transfer of some of their established players,” shared Windhorst. “This group includes Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, and Alec Burks.”
Throughout the 2021 offseason, Walker, Fournier, and Burks secured extended contracts with the Knicks. Nonetheless, Walker has been available due to his early struggles and subsequent exclusion from the team’s rotation.
Fournier’s performance has fluctuated, impacting the team negatively with a -5.1 net rating when he plays, compared to a +3.1 rating when he doesn’t. Burks has remained relatively consistent; however, the Knicks at 23-26 are aiming to alleviate rotation congestion and enhance their lineup effectiveness.
“They recently acquired Cam Reddish, but he hasn’t been incorporated into the rotation by head coach Tom Thibodeau. Additionally, Derrick Rose is nearing a return from injury,” Windhorst noted. “The team is overcrowded, and their performance hasn’t been optimal. Hence, they are open to altering the mix, as they have conveyed.”
While Windhorst highlighted three players, it’s likely that other Knicks squad members could also be up for potential trades. Nerlens Noel and Mitchell Robinson might emerge in trade speculations before the deadline, and even Julius Randle isn’t guaranteed to remain with the team due to his decrease in output and strained interactions with fans and media this season.
None of the Knicks’ contracts are excessively burdensome to move, and with surplus second-round picks and the top-10 protected Dallas Mavericks’ 2023 first-round selection, the front office possesses ample leverage to facilitate trades when advantageous opportunities present themselves.
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