Knicks Trade Targets with 2023 NBA Trade Deadline a Month Away
The New York Knicks are strange.
Strange, though, isn't necessarily a bad thing.
No, the Knicks don't look like one of the top contenders in the 2022-23 NBA season, but they have had stretches of playing great basketball. During the early and middle portions of December, they reeled off eight consecutive wins and knocked off some marquee opponents in the process.
Then again, they followed that streak with five straight losses, including one to the Victor Wembanyama-chasing San Antonio Spurs. Like we said, strange squad.
Still, with a winning record in hand and a non-zero chance of snagging a top-six seed in the East—and a free pass around the play-in tournament—they've shown enough to inspire the front office to go searching for upgrades between now and the trade deadline. The following three players all loom as interesting options for the 'Bockers.
OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
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Is this wishful thinking? Probably. While the Raptors have ranked among this season's biggest disappointments, it's hard to imagine their future would brighten by jettisoning a 25-year-old lockdown defender who's shown perpetual improvement on the offensive end.
Then again, Anunoby might need a new deal by 2024 (he has a player option for 2024-25), and if the Raptors opt to rebuild around reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, perhaps they won't feel they're in the position to pay Anunoby a comical amount of cash. Again, this isn't likely, but it isn't totally outlandish.
That possibility—slim as it may be—should be enough for the Knicks to offer up just about anything in their asset collection. Picks, prospects and expiring salaries would all be on the board, and with good reason: Anunoby projects as either a two-way star or at least a two-way player who can star in his role.
Get him to New York, and he'd immediately be the team's top defender and one of its better offensive options. Coach Tom Thibodeau would give Anunoby all the minutes he could handle in hopes of elevating this defense. The offense, meanwhile, could have plenty of options depending on which of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett would still be around after the deal.
Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns
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With Cam Reddish out of the rotation, the Knicks have only Barrett and Quentin Grimes to throw at high-scoring wings.
Crowder would give them another option—and, in certain lineups, team with Barrett and Grimes to give this group a small horde of athletic, interchangeable stoppers.
Crowder, a free agent after this season, has yet to suit up while awaiting his trade out of Phoenix. Given his experience (735 regular-season games and 107 more in the postseason), though, he should be a rapid learner and someone capable of making a quick transition to a new team.
He may not have a standout skill, and it's not like he'll develop one with his 32nd birthday behind him, but he's a willing defender with a capable jump shot. His toughness could also help this team develop an edge that will be needed for any gritty, grind-it-out postseason games.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Charlotte Hornets
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If you're sensing a common thread among these targets, your mind isn't playing tricks on you. All lanky wings with some defensive utility should be on New York's radar.
Oubre fits that bill—or, rather, he will once he recovers from recent surgery on a torn ligament in his left hand. That operation could prove a blessing in disguise for the Knicks, though, if it drops his trade cost.
The Hornets should be open to discussing Oubre deals. He's unsigned past this season and perhaps a touch too old (27) to keep for a club rebuilding around 21-year-old centerpiece LaMelo Ball.
Oubre isn't quite as accurate from three as the Knicks might like (career 32.9 percent), but he's active on defense and electric in the open court. He's also in the process of authoring his most productive campaign to date, averaging a career-high 20.2 points per outing.
.jpg?w=600 "Landing Spots for NBA's Top Trade Targets 🛬")
