Hartenstein’s status will impact the team’s future plans if he is forced to miss time. If the Knicks intend to trade frontcourt help, the Washington Wizards’ Daniel Gafford has been mentioned as a potential candidate . However, arguably the biggest need on this roster is another ball handler and shot creator.
To complete the trade with the Raptors, the Knicks parted ways with Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. Quickley has been Jalen Brunson’s backup all season and the team’s sixth man. Barrett was the starter who played off the bench, taking over the offense with Brunson and Julius Randle rested.
Without them, the Knicks had a rough time with their two stars on the bench. They need to add another shot creator and have been linked to several ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
The player most linked to New York is Malcolm Brogdon. He is one of the most likely players to move as the Portland Trail Blazers are in the early stages of rebuilding and looking for more assets. New York and Portland made a deadline deal last year centered around Josh Hart.
Another guard who could be on the Knicks’ radar is Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz. However, the price to acquire it is high. It could be even higher for New York if Danny Ainge holds the same grudge he showed during the Donovan Mitchell trade talks.
One player who has expressed his desire to be in New York is Bruce Brown. Brown was traded to the Raptors from the Indiana Pacers as part of the Pascal Siakam blockbuster and is expected to be redirected before the deadline. His comments after the Knicks-Raptors clash show that the perception of New York is changing in the NBA.