4 non star trades Knicks can make to contend

4 non star trades Knicks can make to contend

Since being named the President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks in 2020, Leon Rose has been methodically preparing for the next star player to request a trade. With the acquisition of OG Anunoby, the Knicks may have already made their big transaction for the season, but that doesn’t mean they cannot improve the roster leading up to the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline.

After sending RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors as part of the deal for Anunoby, the Knicks have improved their starting lineup at the expense of depleting their bench. While Barrett was a starter for the Knicks, he spent a lot of time with Quickley and the second unit, a lineup that typically enjoyed sustained success. As a result, the Knicks lost significant secondary scoring and playmaking off the bench, an area of need that could be addressed via trade.

Moreover, the Knicks have relied heavily on center Isaiah Hartenstein to take over as the team’s starting center since Mitchell Robinson suffered a season-ending ankle injury, a role he has thrived in. Since Robinson went down on Dec. 8, 2023, against the Boston Celtics, Hartenstein has had to play 32.9 minutes per game. While he has proven capable of handling the workload, the Knicks could add a depth option behind him to bolster the center position.

With all of this in mind, these four players make sense as viable non-star trades the Knicks can make to contend this season.

4. T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers

With Indiana Pacers superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton set to miss time due to a hamstring strain, the team may be reluctant to trade veteran point guard T.J. McConnell. Before the Haliburton injury, McConnell was gaining steam on the trade market as a savvy floor general who could provide a backcourt boost to playoff contenders. However, it has also been reported that the Pacers have been turning down trade requests for McConnell.

While he is best suited in a reserve role, McConnell has shown he is capable of more when given the opportunity. Last season, he started six games for the Pacers, averaging 12.7 points per game to go with 8.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 58.9 percent from the field, 50 percent from beyond the arc, and 88.9 percent from the free throw line.

Despite his small stature (6-foot-1), McConnell is capable of playing both on and off the ball offensively while defending multiple positions on the other side of the court. Not to mention, he is averaging 5.0 assists per game this season in 15.7 minutes per game and rarely makes mistakes with the ball in his hands, averaging 1.2 turnovers per game.

Set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, McConnell is on the hook for a very reasonable $9 million average salary over the next two seasons. McConnell’s versatility, defensive prowess, and playmaking ability make him a worthwhile option for the Knicks if the Pacers become more open to trading him.

3. Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards

Sitting at 6-30 through the first 36 games of the season, the Washington Wizards are expected to be one of the NBA’s top sellers leading up to the trade deadline. The Wizards have multiple intriguing veterans who could be of service to the contenders of the league, including 25-year-old center, Daniel Gafford.

In 33 games played this season, Gafford has averaged 10.5 points per game to go with 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 68 percent from the field. His combination of size, athleticism, and strength make him a valuable rim runner/rim protector who would fill the void left by Mitchell Robinson nicely.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps believes that if the Knicks are to make another move this season, it will likely be to address their backup center situation. “You pair him [Gafford] with Isaiah Hartenstein, you get back to what was one of the Knicks’ real strengths before Mitchell Robinson got hurt… 48 minutes of high-quality, above-average to really good center play,” Bontemps recently said on Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective.

Currently under contract through the 2025-26 season with a $13.39 million average salary, Gafford has been playing above his pay grade. He’d be a worthwhile addition to the team while also being a valuable asset if the Knicks elect to stick with the duo of Robinson/Hartenstein beyond this season.

2. Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards

As previously mentioned, the Washington Wizards are widely expected to sell off veteran parts in exchange for assets leading up to the trade deadline on Feb. 8, 2024, which leads us to point guard Tyus Jones.

Jones was shipped off to the Wizards this past offseason as part of the trade that sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies and Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics. With Jones expressing his desire to be a starting point guard last season and the Grizzlies being invested in Ja Morant as their franchise point guard, Jones’ departure was inevitable. Now, he could be on the move again after showing out as a start for the Wizards through the first half of the season.

In 36 starts, Jones has averaged 12.7 points per game to go with 5.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while boasting career-highs in field goal (52.9) and 3-point percentage (43.9). Jones has also proven to be one of the most reliable floor generals in the NBA since 2017, ranking in the top three in assist-to-turnover ratio in each season in that span. Currently, Jones leads the NBA in that category with a 6.5:1 ratio.

Set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, the Knicks can either take a flier on Jones as a rental to help them make a playoff push or sign him to an extension to make up for the lost bench production from Immanuel Quickley. Either way, he is a fascinating trade target.

1. Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers 

Since being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the deal that sent All-Star guard and defensive stalwart Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics during the offseason, many have wondered what Portland will do with Malcolm Brogdon. Given his age, team-friendly contract, and ability to help a contending team now, Brogdon’s place on a rebuilding Blazers franchise that just selected point guard Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has always been questionable, at best.

Brogdon has had a productive season with the Blazers, averaging 15.4 points per game to pair with 5.4 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. His ability to act as a combo guard, playing both on and off the ball offensively makes him an attractive option to back up Knicks point guard, Jalen Brunson. Additionally, Brogdon’s 6-foot-4 and 229-pound frame allows him to match up with bigger guards defensively, something the Knicks have struggled to do with Brunson at the helm.

What better way is there to fill the void left by 2022-23 NBA Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Immanuel Quickley than replacing him with the player who won the award instead of him?