The New York Knicks are a team that will definitely be buyers ahead of the NBA trade deadline this week. They’ve already pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors this season, and when healthy, they’ve turned into one of the best teams in the league.
The starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein has been the most productive group of five players in the NBA since its inception. However, the Knicks have some areas of the team that could use strengthening.
When Brunson leaves the court, the team lacks a shot creator to take his place. That role belonged to Immanuel Quickley, but was traded to the Raptors, along with RJ Barrett, in the deal for Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn.
It would behoove New York to add a shot creator before the deadline. They have been linked to a few, such as Malcolm Brogdon, Jordan Clarkson, and Dejounte Murray. However, the asking price has been very high until now. The team has also been linked to Bruce Brown, who came to the Raptors in the Pascal Siakam blockbuster.
The Knicks definitely have the capital needed to get a deal done and a great trade possibility in Evan Fournier’s contract. However, the sweetener everyone has mentioned is shooting guard Quentin Grimes.
Grimes was unhappy with his role early in the season and the Knicks were reportedly trading him around the league. However, their stance on trading Grimes appears to have changed. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, New York has cooled its willingness to move Grimes unless he is part of a major upgrade.
“It’s now clear that the Knicks are not willing to part ways with Quentin Grimes unless New York trades the young swingman for a perceived upgrade, sources said, instead of trading him for a different back-of-the-rotation piece .
Grimes continues to have fans in Atlanta and Utah, sources say. There are several players on the Jazz roster, most notably Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Clarkson , who the Knicks still have on their radar, according to league sources,” Fischer wrote.