For all of the criticism of the roster that the New York Knicks assembled in the offseason, the reality is that they are still right there in the playoff mix despite a 2-8 record over their last 10 games. The Knicks appeared poised to make a return to the playoffs before a 2-10 stretch that included Derrick Rose deciding not to show up to Monday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. With tension building between the players and the coaching staff, something will have to give soon. New York could take a step in the right direction with a trade to help solidify its roster and move one step closer to being a legitimate playoff team in the Eastern Conference. With that in mind, here is a look at the best NBA trade targets for the Knicks right now.
Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis currently sits sixth in the Western Conference but they have to understand they will need to shake things up in order to have any shot at contending once the postseason rolls around. The Grizzlies could be interested in a scoring guard like Brandon Jennings and they could be interested in moving a player like Allen in order to get him. Allen is a veteran swing man on an expiring contract that could be a strong fit for the Knicks as a defensive upgrade that can help provide support for a team that is already more than capable at the offensive end of the floor. Allen won’t be as easy to acquire as some of the other names on this list, but he could be an excellent fit and worth trading a piece like Jennings in order to acquire for the second half of the season. The issue is that the Grizz would have to think their season is over or that their chances for contending are out the window. Otherwise, they’d want to hold on to him.
Dante Exum, Utah Jazz
The Jazz own the league’s No. 1 ranked defense but rank 28th in offense, so they could use a scoring upgrade in exchange for a talented young guard who has played his best basketball at the defensive end of the floor. Exum isn’t an elite play maker but he could be exactly what New York needs as a scrambling defender that puts pressure on perimeter shooters and gets in the way of pick-and-roll plays trying to cut in to the paint. Exum has held opposing shooters to 4.2-percent below their average field-goal percentages overall this season and he could be a good fit to come off the bench for New York in the second half of the season. He’s also a young player that some consider to be on the rise. The offensive side of his game might develop in the coming years, so he could be a building block.
Seth Curry, Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have hit a wall this season with an 11-27 record that has them at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, so it might be only a matter of time before they decide to shake things up and start moving bodies for future assets. Curry is one name that should intrigue the Knicks based on his ability to shoot the ball with range. The Knicks could use a capable guard that can come off the bench and provide a steady three-point shot as well as a high level of defensive play. Curry would give New York both of those elements and he could be available at a very reasonable price.
Andrew Bogut, Dallas Mavericks
In addition to Curry, the Knicks might want to consider Bogut as a capable center with championship experience that could be that much more valuable to an Eastern Conference team. Bogut’s expiring contract makes him a lucrative trade piece and it should be only a matter of time before Dallas moves him before future assets. New York could use some help in the paint at both ends of the floor and Bogut could be the perfect fit in a trade that sends him and Curry to the Knicks before the deadline. He could provide the team with a little bit of a backbone at the defensive end, which is something they have been missing at times this season.
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