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It's a slow day.

https://www.sny.tv/articles/3-potential-under-the-radar-knicks-trades-ahead-of-nba-deadline

If you’ve been paying attention to the Knicks, you’ve known for a while now that the club feels well positioned to acquire a top player via trade. New York has five first-round picks in the next three drafts and significant cap space. The club also has a few talented young players to include in trades.

The Knicks, as the New York Post reported, are keeping an eye on Bradley Beal and Victor Oladipo. They are also monitoring the situation in Chicago around Zach LaVine.

It’s logical to assume that they have degrees of interest in trading for dozens of players at the moment.

For reasons discussed below, trading for Beal, Oladipo or LaVine seems like a long shot.

But if the Knicks want to upgrade their roster by March 25, there are other players they can target outside of those three.

Below, we take a look at a few young players who can help the Knicks win both this year and beyond (And who wouldn’t cost as much in a trade as Beal, Oladipo or LaVine).

Lonzo Ball:

We previously reported that New Orleans was looking for a significant return in any Lonzo Ball trades. The Knicks have the assets to make a Ball trade work. But they have Quickley and Derrick Rose. So is there room for Ball?

The former No. 2 overall pick will be a restricted free agent this summer. So if they like him, the Knicks could make Ball an offer in free agency and sign him without surrendering assets.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14 points with career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage this season. But pairing him with Barrett could be a risk since neither player has been able to shoot from the perimeter consistently (other players in their final year of their rookie contracts who didn’t sign an extension – such as Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Atlanta’s John Collins – are always worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches).

Buddy Hield:

Earlier in the season, several teams believed Hield was on his way out of Sacramento. At the time, the Kings had been seeking draft compensation in any trade of Hield. It’s unclear if Sacramento is still looking to move Hield, but the Knicks have draft compensation to offer. Hield is shooting below his career average from beyond the arc. But based on how he’s shot it over the course of his career, it’s reasonable to think that he can boost the Knicks’ perimeter shooting.

If I was making this list in the 2020 offseason, I’d add Kyle Kuzma. The Knicks had interest in trading for him prior to the 2020 trade deadline. But it would be surprising if the Lakers would deal Kuzma while they are trying to chase a championship.

Here’s why the players above are much more realistic trade options than Beal, Oladipo and LaVine:

Beal has consistently said that he wants to win in Washington. If Beal decides he wants to be traded, you’d think that he’d want to be moved to a contender.

The Knicks are having a solid season. But if they have to trade Barrett or Mitchell Robinson, multiple first-round picks – and more - to get Beal from Washington, it’s hard to see how Beal would view the Knicks as a place where he can win.

Other potential Beal suitors – Miami, Lakers, Clippers – could offer Beal the chance to win right away.

So if he had his choice, would Beal want to be traded to the Knicks? It wouldn’t align with his stated desire to win. And he can essentially control where he gets traded to because he can be a free agent in 2022.

Again: this is just my opinion. I could be wrong about the low probability of Beal landing in New York. But it seems like it would take a strong sell by the front office to convince Beal that he can win here after the Knicks send out what they’d have to send to get him.

OLADIPO: As we’ve noted, some with the Knicks see him as a strong addition. I don’t have a good read on how the top decision-makers feel about him. If the Knicks wanted to trade for Oladipo, it would come at a significant cost. Given that, would Oladipo re-sign in New York in the summer of 2021 if the roster is depleted? That’s a question the Knicks would have to weigh if they wanted to make a run at Oladipo.

LAVINE: There’s no indication yet that Chicago would be open to moving him. If the Bulls decided to gauge the market for LaVine, plenty of teams would be willing to offer a significant return. So New York would have to give up a lot to land LaVine.

NewKnicks wrote:Lonzo Ball:

We previously reported that New Orleans was looking for a significant return in any Lonzo Ball trades. The Knicks have the assets to make a Ball trade work. But they have Quickley and Derrick Rose. So is there room for Ball?

The former No. 2 overall pick will be a restricted free agent this summer. So if they like him, the Knicks could make Ball an offer in free agency and sign him without surrendering assets.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14 points with career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage this season. But pairing him with Barrett could be a risk since neither player has been able to shoot from the perimeter consistently (other players in their final year of their rookie contracts who didn’t sign an extension – such as Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Atlanta’s John Collins – are always worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches).

Lonzo Ball doesn't make sense for this roster imo.

Also, why does it matter that we have Quickley? Thibs is not invested in developing him as an on-ball point guard, not in the short-term at least. He just doesn't trust Quickley to run the offense, not even the second unit.

Chanel Bomber wrote:

NewKnicks wrote:Lonzo Ball:

We previously reported that New Orleans was looking for a significant return in any Lonzo Ball trades. The Knicks have the assets to make a Ball trade work. But they have Quickley and Derrick Rose. So is there room for Ball?

The former No. 2 overall pick will be a restricted free agent this summer. So if they like him, the Knicks could make Ball an offer in free agency and sign him without surrendering assets.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14 points with career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage this season. But pairing him with Barrett could be a risk since neither player has been able to shoot from the perimeter consistently (other players in their final year of their rookie contracts who didn’t sign an extension – such as Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Atlanta’s John Collins – are always worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches).

Lonzo Ball doesn't make sense for this roster imo.

Also, why does it matter that we have Quickley? Thibs is not invested in developing him as an on-ball point guard, not in the short-term at least. He just doesn't trust Quickley to run the offense, not even the second unit.

On the contrary, Ball makes a ton of sense for this roster.

* He can play on the ball or off the ball. He is becoming an improved shooter after revamping his shot form.

* He is young enough to fit the timeline of our current core pieces. He is the rare facilitator who doesn't need to dominate the ball with a high usage rate to get assists.

* He specializes in the hockey assist and he is more than willing to start the break by throwing it ahead to guys who leak out.

* He is a good defender who generates turnovers and Thibs will value that.

* He has the size to be a versatile defender, covering multiple positions 1-3 and maybe even some small-ball fours. He'd make our lineup very switchable.

* He'd still allow our starters Randle and RJ to still have a high usage, getting reps with the ball in their hands.

Ball / Rose
RJ / IQ
Bullock / Burks
Randle / Toppin
Mitch / Noel

The best part is, he shouldn't cost us any major assets. A package consisting of Frank (restricted), Payton (expiring - and would get to go home to NOLA so he shouldn't invoke his NTC), Pistons 2021 2nd OR Mavs 2023 1st, likely gets the deal done.

2010 wrote:

Chanel Bomber wrote:

NewKnicks wrote:Lonzo Ball:

We previously reported that New Orleans was looking for a significant return in any Lonzo Ball trades. The Knicks have the assets to make a Ball trade work. But they have Quickley and Derrick Rose. So is there room for Ball?

The former No. 2 overall pick will be a restricted free agent this summer. So if they like him, the Knicks could make Ball an offer in free agency and sign him without surrendering assets.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14 points with career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage this season. But pairing him with Barrett could be a risk since neither player has been able to shoot from the perimeter consistently (other players in their final year of their rookie contracts who didn’t sign an extension – such as Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Atlanta’s John Collins – are always worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches).

Lonzo Ball doesn't make sense for this roster imo.

Also, why does it matter that we have Quickley? Thibs is not invested in developing him as an on-ball point guard, not in the short-term at least. He just doesn't trust Quickley to run the offense, not even the second unit.

On the contrary, Ball makes a ton of sense of this roster.

* He can play on the ball or off the ball. He is becoming an improved shooter after revamping his shot form.

* He is young enough to fit the timeline of our current core pieces. He is the rare facilitator who doesn't need to dominate the ball with a high usage rate to get assists.

* He specialized in the hockey assist and he is more than willing to start the break by throwing it ahead to guys who leak out.

* He is a good defender who generates turnovers and Thibs will value that.

* He has the size to be a versatile defender, covering multiple positions 1-3 and maybe even some small-ball fours. He'd make our lineup very switchable.

* He'd still allow our starters Randle and RJ to still have a high usage, getting reps with the ball in their hands.

Ball / Rose
RJ / IQ
Bullock / Barrett
Randle / Toppin
Mitch / Noel

The best part is, he shouldn't cost us any major assets. A package consisting of Frank (restricted), Payton (expiring - and would get to go home to NOLA so he shouldn't invoke his NTC), Pistons 2021 2nd OR Mavs 2023 1st, likely gets the deal done.

All good points.

He's certainly an upgrade over Payton.

And even though he's the worse possible fit for Zion, he might actually be a good fit for Randle, who doesn't need a pick-and-roll partner but rather someone to kick the ball out to from the post.

So I might pull a 180 on this one.

They’ll never do it, but if we wanted to add some offensive firepower who could also fit well next to Randle / Obi in an offensive focused lineup, Bjelica should be cheap. It’s not just the shooting. Has good instincts on that side of the ball.

Small, not splashy move but could pay big dividends

2010 wrote:

Chanel Bomber wrote:

NewKnicks wrote:Lonzo Ball:

We previously reported that New Orleans was looking for a significant return in any Lonzo Ball trades. The Knicks have the assets to make a Ball trade work. But they have Quickley and Derrick Rose. So is there room for Ball?

The former No. 2 overall pick will be a restricted free agent this summer. So if they like him, the Knicks could make Ball an offer in free agency and sign him without surrendering assets.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14 points with career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage this season. But pairing him with Barrett could be a risk since neither player has been able to shoot from the perimeter consistently (other players in their final year of their rookie contracts who didn’t sign an extension – such as Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Atlanta’s John Collins – are always worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches).

Lonzo Ball doesn't make sense for this roster imo.

Also, why does it matter that we have Quickley? Thibs is not invested in developing him as an on-ball point guard, not in the short-term at least. He just doesn't trust Quickley to run the offense, not even the second unit.

On the contrary, Ball makes a ton of sense of this roster.

* He can play on the ball or off the ball. He is becoming an improved shooter after revamping his shot form.

* He is young enough to fit the timeline of our current core pieces. He is the rare facilitator who doesn't need to dominate the ball with a high usage rate to get assists.

* He specialized in the hockey assist and he is more than willing to start the break by throwing it ahead to guys who leak out.

* He is a good defender who generates turnovers and Thibs will value that.

* He has the size to be a versatile defender, covering multiple positions 1-3 and maybe even some small-ball fours. He'd make our lineup very switchable.

* He'd still allow our starters Randle and RJ to still have a high usage, getting reps with the ball in their hands.

Ball / Rose
RJ / IQ
Bullock / Barrett
Randle / Toppin
Mitch / Noel

The best part is, he shouldn't cost us any major assets. A package consisting of Frank (restricted), Payton (expiring - and would get to go home to NOLA so he shouldn't invoke his NTC), Pistons 2021 2nd OR Mavs 2023 1st, likely gets the deal done.

Spot on 2010. Lonzo is on the top of my list this free agency. I don’t think NO will match his offering sheet so I wouldn’t trade for him.

dakomish23 wrote:They’ll never do it, but if we wanted to add some offensive firepower who could also fit well next to Randle / Obi in an offensive focused lineup, Bjelica should be cheap. It’s not just the shooting. Has good instincts on that side of the ball.

Small, not splashy move but could pay big dividends

Bjelica and Pelle are the kind of moves I see us making too. I'm fine with that.

Chanel Bomber wrote:

2010 wrote:

Chanel Bomber wrote:Lonzo Ball doesn't make sense for this roster imo.

Also, why does it matter that we have Quickley? Thibs is not invested in developing him as an on-ball point guard, not in the short-term at least. He just doesn't trust Quickley to run the offense, not even the second unit.

On the contrary, Ball makes a ton of sense of this roster.

* He can play on the ball or off the ball. He is becoming an improved shooter after revamping his shot form.

* He is young enough to fit the timeline of our current core pieces. He is the rare facilitator who doesn't need to dominate the ball with a high usage rate to get assists.

* He specialized in the hockey assist and he is more than willing to start the break by throwing it ahead to guys who leak out.

* He is a good defender who generates turnovers and Thibs will value that.

* He has the size to be a versatile defender, covering multiple positions 1-3 and maybe even some small-ball fours. He'd make our lineup very switchable.

* He'd still allow our starters Randle and RJ to still have a high usage, getting reps with the ball in their hands.

Ball / Rose
RJ / IQ
Bullock / Barrett
Randle / Toppin
Mitch / Noel

The best part is, he shouldn't cost us any major assets. A package consisting of Frank (restricted), Payton (expiring - and would get to go home to NOLA so he shouldn't invoke his NTC), Pistons 2021 2nd OR Mavs 2023 1st, likely gets the deal done.

All good points.

He's certainly an upgrade over Payton.

And even though he's the worse possible fit for Zion, he might actually be a good fit for Randle, who doesn't need a pick-and-roll partner but rather someone to kick the ball out to from the post.

So I might pull a 180 on this one.

Another strong game from Lonzo Ball. 21 PTS | 12 AST | 6-12 3PT | 3 STL | 2 BLK

2010 wrote:

Chanel Bomber wrote:

2010 wrote:
On the contrary, Ball makes a ton of sense of this roster.

* He can play on the ball or off the ball. He is becoming an improved shooter after revamping his shot form.

* He is young enough to fit the timeline of our current core pieces. He is the rare facilitator who doesn't need to dominate the ball with a high usage rate to get assists.

* He specialized in the hockey assist and he is more than willing to start the break by throwing it ahead to guys who leak out.

* He is a good defender who generates turnovers and Thibs will value that.

* He has the size to be a versatile defender, covering multiple positions 1-3 and maybe even some small-ball fours. He'd make our lineup very switchable.

* He'd still allow our starters Randle and RJ to still have a high usage, getting reps with the ball in their hands.

Ball / Rose
RJ / IQ
Bullock / Barrett
Randle / Toppin
Mitch / Noel

The best part is, he shouldn't cost us any major assets. A package consisting of Frank (restricted), Payton (expiring - and would get to go home to NOLA so he shouldn't invoke his NTC), Pistons 2021 2nd OR Mavs 2023 1st, likely gets the deal done.

All good points.

He's certainly an upgrade over Payton.

And even though he's the worse possible fit for Zion, he might actually be a good fit for Randle, who doesn't need a pick-and-roll partner but rather someone to kick the ball out to from the post.

So I might pull a 180 on this one.

Another strong game from Lonzo Ball. 21 PTS | 12 AST | 6-12 3PT | 3 STL | 2 BLK

All my takes about the Ball brothers are ice cold tbh

Just **** give IQ the damn keys Thibs smh get Elfrid off this team make Quickly the starter and Rose the backup....

Let me add I don't think Quick is a guy u could ruin by throwing him oit there as fhe starter every night, quite the contrary.... And even his negative plays are going to be overshadowed into a + every game unlike Elfrid....

Rose has the keys off the bench. Randle can help IQ facilitate and where to be to setup the offense.

There's no net negative with IQ, he gets to the line, spaces the court, draw doubles, threat from deep..

It practically writes itself...

2010 wrote:

Chanel Bomber wrote:

NewKnicks wrote:Lonzo Ball:

We previously reported that New Orleans was looking for a significant return in any Lonzo Ball trades. The Knicks have the assets to make a Ball trade work. But they have Quickley and Derrick Rose. So is there room for Ball?

The former No. 2 overall pick will be a restricted free agent this summer. So if they like him, the Knicks could make Ball an offer in free agency and sign him without surrendering assets.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14 points with career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage this season. But pairing him with Barrett could be a risk since neither player has been able to shoot from the perimeter consistently (other players in their final year of their rookie contracts who didn’t sign an extension – such as Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Atlanta’s John Collins – are always worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches).

Lonzo Ball doesn't make sense for this roster imo.

Also, why does it matter that we have Quickley? Thibs is not invested in developing him as an on-ball point guard, not in the short-term at least. He just doesn't trust Quickley to run the offense, not even the second unit.

On the contrary, Ball makes a ton of sense for this roster.

* He can play on the ball or off the ball. He is becoming an improved shooter after revamping his shot form.

* He is young enough to fit the timeline of our current core pieces. He is the rare facilitator who doesn't need to dominate the ball with a high usage rate to get assists.

* He specializes in the hockey assist and he is more than willing to start the break by throwing it ahead to guys who leak out.

* He is a good defender who generates turnovers and Thibs will value that.

* He has the size to be a versatile defender, covering multiple positions 1-3 and maybe even some small-ball fours. He'd make our lineup very switchable.

* He'd still allow our starters Randle and RJ to still have a high usage, getting reps with the ball in their hands.

Ball / Rose
RJ / IQ
Bullock / Barrett
Randle / Toppin
Mitch / Noel

The best part is, he shouldn't cost us any major assets. A package consisting of Frank (restricted), Payton (expiring - and would get to go home to NOLA so he shouldn't invoke his NTC), Pistons 2021 2nd OR Mavs 2023 1st, likely gets the deal done.

for that package id do in a second...I want that elite passing and close to elite defense....don't forget intangibles, it's a specific mindset that like thibs, the unfazed hard worker, which Lonzo is...he's never complained just continues along, I could picture Ball and Randle having excellent chemistry

Chanel Bomber wrote:

NewKnicks wrote:Lonzo Ball:

We previously reported that New Orleans was looking for a significant return in any Lonzo Ball trades. The Knicks have the assets to make a Ball trade work. But they have Quickley and Derrick Rose. So is there room for Ball?

The former No. 2 overall pick will be a restricted free agent this summer. So if they like him, the Knicks could make Ball an offer in free agency and sign him without surrendering assets.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14 points with career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage this season. But pairing him with Barrett could be a risk since neither player has been able to shoot from the perimeter consistently (other players in their final year of their rookie contracts who didn’t sign an extension – such as Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Atlanta’s John Collins – are always worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches).

Lonzo Ball doesn't make sense for this roster imo.

Also, why does it matter that we have Quickley? Thibs is not invested in developing him as an on-ball point guard, not in the short-term at least. He just doesn't trust Quickley to run the offense, not even the second unit.

IMO it should be -- Do anything you can to come out of this draft with one of J.Suggs or C.Cunningham -- because although i do love IQ i think he'd be better for a swing guard role and we'd be better off with a true PG which is also why i have J.Suggs as my top player to get in this draft, cause i also see Cade as more of a swing guard that could start at either guard position to where Suggs is definitely a PG in the NBA.

If we ended up in the late lottery or even outside the lottery then i'd give up quite a bit to be able to trade up for Suggs. Get Suggs and then get a legit shooter to play SG with Barrett at SF and let him play his bully ball with his occasional good shooting. IQ is my 6th man/#1 guard off the bench at either guard spot. I know many want IQ to start, and i'm not against it, but i have my eyes firmly set on getting Suggs and if not Suggs then Cade and then they can play IQ however Thibs wants to.

#SuggsOrCadeOrBust

These NBA streets are talking and reports today indicate the Knicks are monitoring the following:

• Lonzo Ball
• CJ McCollum
• Bradley Beal
• Zach LaVine
• Victor Oladipo
• Buddy Hield
• Terry Rozier

2010 wrote:These NBA streets are talking and reports today indicate the Knicks are monitoring the following:

• Lonzo Ball
• CJ McCollum
• Bradley Beal
• Zach LaVine
• Victor Oladipo
• Buddy Hield
• Terry Rozier

Meh most of those rumors come from Bondy except the Lavine one. Bondy had a terrible off season where he was wrong on pretty much everything. Twitter wasn’t nice to him

newyorker4ever wrote:

Chanel Bomber wrote:

NewKnicks wrote:Lonzo Ball:

We previously reported that New Orleans was looking for a significant return in any Lonzo Ball trades. The Knicks have the assets to make a Ball trade work. But they have Quickley and Derrick Rose. So is there room for Ball?

The former No. 2 overall pick will be a restricted free agent this summer. So if they like him, the Knicks could make Ball an offer in free agency and sign him without surrendering assets.

Ball is averaging a career-high 14 points with career-highs in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage this season. But pairing him with Barrett could be a risk since neither player has been able to shoot from the perimeter consistently (other players in their final year of their rookie contracts who didn’t sign an extension – such as Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Atlanta’s John Collins – are always worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline approaches).

Lonzo Ball doesn't make sense for this roster imo.

Also, why does it matter that we have Quickley? Thibs is not invested in developing him as an on-ball point guard, not in the short-term at least. He just doesn't trust Quickley to run the offense, not even the second unit.

IMO it should be -- Do anything you can to come out of this draft with one of J.Suggs or C.Cunningham -- because although i do love IQ i think he'd be better for a swing guard role and we'd be better off with a true PG which is also why i have J.Suggs as my top player to get in this draft, cause i also see Cade as more of a swing guard that could start at either guard position to where Suggs is definitely a PG in the NBA.

If we ended up in the late lottery or even outside the lottery then i'd give up quite a bit to be able to trade up for Suggs. Get Suggs and then get a legit shooter to play SG with Barrett at SF and let him play his bully ball with his occasional good shooting. IQ is my 6th man/#1 guard off the bench at either guard spot. I know many want IQ to start, and i'm not against it, but i have my eyes firmly set on getting Suggs and if not Suggs then Cade and then they can play IQ however Thibs wants to.

#SuggsOrCadeOrBust

Highly unlikely we end up with one of Cade or Suggs. I would let go of that fantasy tbh, you're only setting yourself up for disappointment.

No team is gonna trade either away for a low lottery pick. If they even considered it, Quickley would definitely be part of any trade.

I love Suggs's game but there's about a 1% chance that it happens.

2010 wrote:These NBA streets are talking and reports today indicate the Knicks are monitoring the following:

• Lonzo Ball
• CJ McCollum
• Bradley Beal
• Zach LaVine
• Victor Oladipo
• Buddy Hield
• Terry Rozier

High on Rozier, Lavine, Lonzo.

Low on Hield (not that good, not that young), Dipo (.475 TS%, .299 3P%), CJ (30 in September).

Beal is good and fits Randle's timeline but is too expensive.