Knicks Trade Rumors: Monitoring Trade Activity Around The NBA

By foxsports
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With December 15 nearing, a number of Eastern Conference teams are in a position to strike a trade. The New York Knicks could be directly affected.

Dec 4, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) drives past New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks are in no rush—and have no need—to trade for a player of any caliber. Some may be overreacting to the slow starts of players with high expectations, but no trade should be considered imminent.

Nevertheless, December 15 is nearing, meaning players who were signed this past offseason will soon be available in trades—a critical date to know.

The Knicks have an opportunity to make a splash on the trade market with a move for a quality role player. It’s highly unlikely that Phil Jackson will make a move, but it’s entirely conceivable that he’d be monitoring trade activity.

Rumors spread on a rather consistent basis in the NBA, but a select few players qualify as those who could actually be on the move.

In some instances, New York needs to be aware of the potential for a move by an Eastern Conference pretender looking to become a contender. In others, it should know that there are options worth looking into.

The question is: who are the five players who are rumored to be available and necessary to keep on the radar come December 15?

Nov 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Andrew Bogut (6) warms up before the game against the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Bogut, Dallas Mavericks

Position: Center
Age: 32 (11/28/1984)
Experience: 12th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .475/.000/.273
2016-17 Season Averages: 25.0 MPG, 3.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.6 ORPG, 2.2 APG, 0.9 BPG



Andrew Bogut is unlikely to be on the radar for team president Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks. His expiring contract is undeniably appealing, but the Knicks have multiple centers locked up with long-term contracts.

The reason New York should keep an eye on Bogut, however, is the reported interest that the Boston Celtics have in acquiring his services.

If Boston were to acquire Bogut, it’d improve both its offensive efficiency and defensive proficiency. Bogut is an outstanding passer who can feed players in transition, set up shop in the high post and create for others, and dominate the boards.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, that doesn’t mean the 5-17 Dallas Mavericks will keep him around if they aren’t winning.

Sources tell ESPN that Mavs have no immediate intention to shop C Andrew Bogut, as their focus for now is trying to salvage their season. However, Mavs management recognizes that Bogut has significant value in the trade market as a proven championship-caliber complementary piece in a contract year and could become motivated to move him if and when it becomes clear that the Mavs have no hope of making the playoffs this season.

At 5-17, that time could be coming in the near future.

If Bogut were traded to an Atlantic Division team, the Knicks would be forced to gameplan for him on a relatively consistent basis. Attacking the rim would become far more difficult and Bogut’s offensive presence would help halfcourt-based teams.

Bogut likely won’t be traded in December due to his current injury, but his expiring contract is a prime candidate to be moved—and the Knicks should care where he ends up.

Dec 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi (18) drives between Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) and forward Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings

Position: Small Forward
Age: 28 (6/22/1988)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .444/.278/.714
2016-17 Season Averages: 18.3 MPG, 5.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.8 ORPG, 1.3 APG



The New York Knicks don’t need Omri Casspi, but he’s a player with a skill set that fits Jeff Hornacek’s system and could land him a spot in an Eastern Conference rotation. That makes him a player whom the Knicks should monitor once December 15 rolls around.

Casspi wouldn’t be worth giving up the mortgage for, but if he’s going to leave Sacramento in the near future, the Knicks should at least know what the asking price is.

Casspi is a 6’9″ matchup nightmare of a small forward with deep 3-point range and a high release point. His ability to consistently space the floor was further established in 2015-16, when he made 112 3-point field goals on 40.9 percent shooting from distance.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, it’s only a matter of time before Casspi is moved.

The closest thing to a trade lock in the California capital is the exit of the popular Casspi, whose representatives have been blessed by the Kings to search out potential deals now that the versatile swingman — coming off the best year of his career — has been exiled from the rotation by new coach Dave Joerger.

Casspi has been inefficient in 2016-17, but his discontent is likely playing a role in his underwhelming performances.

Casspi could be the type of one-year rental who enables the Knicks to explore different small-ball rotations with minimal risk. He could play the 4 in a pinch or the 3 full-time, which is an intriguing versatility for a player who can shoot as well as he.

The Knicks have no reason to trade for Casspi if Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Lance Thomas continue to excel, but that doesn’t mean he should be ignored come December 15.

Nov 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) reacts to a play against the LA Clippers during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 121-115. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

Position: Small Forward
Age: 30 (8/17/1986)
Experience: 11th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .457/.342/.843
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.5 MPG, 19.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.2 3PM



If any player can help a team make postseason-caliber improvements, it’s Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay. He’s not the No. 1 star that he used to be, but he’s good for an efficient 20 points per game and has postseason experience.

Gay is unlikely to be an option for the New York Knicks directly, but if he’s traded to an Eastern Conference team, the impact will be direct.

Gay is pushing through his well-documented unhappiness in Sacramento have a productive and efficient season. Whether he’s auditioning for a new team or attempting to help Sacramento win, he’s playing at an undeniably high level.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, that doesn’t change the widespread belief that he’ll soon be traded.

Three established names we expect to be dealt are … Rudy Gay. Nerlens Noel. Ricky Rubio.

If an Eastern Conference contender manages to trade for Gay, the Knicks’ road to the Eastern Conference Finals would become significantly more difficult.

New York can’t worry too much about what other teams are doing, but every opponent must be game-planned for. Gay is an X-Factor for any team he plays for, as his combination of size, skill, and athleticism ranks amongst the best at his position.

Untapped potential or otherwise, Gay has the ability to be a game-changer for an Eastern Conference team. Plus, he’s on an expiring contract.

Nov 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (8) passes the ball during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic

Position: Small Forward
Age: 21 (2/25/1995)
Experience: 2nd Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .306/.172/.667
2016-17 Season Averages: 11.6 MPG, 3.9 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.4 3PM



It would behoove the New York Knicks to explore this possibility, no matter how unrealistic it may seem. The Knicks may be hard-pressed to provide what the Orlando Magic are asking for, but a third team could always be included.

According to Marc Stein, the Magic may be willing to move Hezonja for a proven scoring threat.

Kristaps Porzingis is the more proven commodity, Hezonja has similar upside along the wings. He’s a 6’8″ and 218-pound shooting guard with explosive leaping ability and the ability to convert from beyond the arc.

At 21 years of age, Hezonja is a tantalizing talent who’s in need of the right system and leadership.

It’s entirely possible that Frank Vogel is that leader, but Jeff Hornacek could be the ideal alternative. Unfortunately, the Knicks don’t seem to have the necessary assets to swing a trade for a player of Hezonja’s value.

Nevertheless, when a team in the Eastern Conference is both jostling for postseason position and considering a trade, it’s only wise to keep a watchful eye.

Feb 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) celebrates with center Jahlil Okafor (8) after a score against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers

Position: Forward/Center
Age: 22 (4/10/1994)
Experience: 3rd Season
2015-16 Slash Line: .521/.500/.590
2016-16 Season Averages: 29.3 MPG, 11.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG



The Philadelphia 76ers have an opportunity to flip Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor for whatever it is that they deem necessary to round out the rotation. Joel Embiid is already showing signs of superstar potential, Dario Saric has upside at the 4, and Ben Simmons is tantalizing .

Whether it’s Noel or Okafor, the Sixers would improve as a team by replacing them with a perimeter player.

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that either Noel or Okafor could be on the move back in September. Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net recently reported that the Portland Trail Blazers are interested in acquiring Noel.

Per Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Noel is the more likely of the two big men to be moved.

Considering Noel publicly blasted the Sixers’ logjam of big men by calling it, “Silly,” it stands to reason that he’s the more likely player to depart.

Wherever Noel goes, a division rival, Philadelphia, would improve by solidifying a different position. That’s something to be wary of as New York will have to go through the Sixers in 2016-17 and future years to come.

It’s also worth noting that New York could benefit from having a young rim protector working alongside Kristaps Porzingis, although a trade for Noel seems unlikely.

New York may not be taking part in any potential trades, but knowing what’s happening around the NBA is vital to staying on top of the game.

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