Knicks Trade Rumors: JaVale McGee Talks Held with Lakers

The New York Knicks have reportedly "emerged as a potential trade partner" for the Los Angeles Lakers and center JaVale McGee, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Per that report, "if talks progress, New York would surely require at least one additional asset from the Lakers to take McGee into salary-cap space."

That followed a report Sunday from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium that veteran center Marc Gasol was "narrowing his focus" to the Lakers and Toronto Raptors in free agency, with the Lakers "working [the] market place to find [a] way to improve offer."

In other words, the Lakers are trying to clear some cap space to have room to sign Gasol to market value. Moving McGee in a trade would clear the requisite salary off the books.

The 35-year-old Gasol would upgrade L.A.'s defense and give them a solid one-two punch at the position with Montrezl Harrell coming off the bench. Harrell is excellent in the pick-and-roll and a solid rebounder, but his defense leaves plenty to be desired. 

Gasol, meanwhile, isn't much of an offensive player at this point in his career (7.5 PPG last year) but he's a sturdy presence on the block with a sky-high defensive IQ. He'd anchor the team's first-unit defense. 

As for McGee, the 32-year-old was solid for the Lakers last season, averaging 6.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 16.6 minutes per game over 68 starts. McGee and Dwight Howard gave the team a nice combination at center, though a Gasol-Harrell combination would be an upgrade. Howard signed with the Philadelphia 76ers to serve as Joel Embiid's backup this season. 

The Knicks could capitalize on the Lakers trying to move off of McGee's salary, demanding a future pick in the deal. The Lakers might find it difficult to find suitors for McGee, however, as some teams may be wary of helping the defending champions.