NBA Trade Deadline Predictions: Why the New York Knicks Should Make No Moves

Many NBA teams are looking at making changes over the next week before the trading deadline.  But the New York Knicks should stay put and let their dangerous roster gel and learn how to play together.

The Knicks’ roster and identity has changed tremendously since the season started in December.  At that time, the Knicks were a star-oriented team revolving around Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler. 

They had no point guard, no defensive ability, little long-range shooting, and a weak bench.  Few rivals saw them as a contender; they were just a dangerous floater with too many weaknesses to get out of the first round of the playoffs.

Fast forward to march and the Knicks are the NBA’s most changed, and most dangerous, team.  New York discovered Jeremy Lin on the bench in early February, and he is now their long-term solution at point guard. 

Lin may not be a superstar but his uncanny court vision, underrated athleticism, and pure passing make him an excellent floor general that should hold his value moving forward.  The Knicks also got former star guard Baron Davis back from injury, which has turned a position of weakness into one of strength. 

New York’s brain trust also took advantage of the team's resources and appeal to address their other needs.  Long range gunner J.R. Smith was signed in February and will help cure the Knicks’ three-point deficiency in the playoffs. 

Veteran power forward Steve Novak, one of the best shooters in basketball, will also help space the floor.  Young center Josh Harrelson is back from injury, which adds depth to the frontcourt, and rookie guard Iman Shumpert continues to excel. 

So, now the team has good players at each position, depth, and the floor spacing to be one of the playoffs’ most dangerous teams.

Knowing all that, it’s clear that it would be dangerous to make a major change at this point.  The Knicks have evolved rapidly in the last month and still need time to adapt to one another and evolve as a team. 

A major trade would disrupt their developing chemistry and expose them in a shortened season.  So, while they could add a useful buyout veteran or two, the Knicks should stick to the sidelines in the lead-up to the NBA trade deadline.

At this point, the Knicks have the talent.  Now, they just need the chemistry.