Emmanuel Mudiay gets fresh start with the New York Knicks
After showing considerable interest in drafting him in 2015, Emmanuel Mudiay becomes a member of the New York Knicks at the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline.
It’s interesting the way things change in the NBA over just a few years, considering projected expectations against reality. It can serve as a reminder that things always change in this league, as teams flip players around excessively with hopes of either competing for a title or rebuilding in the offseason.
The New York Knicks are leaning heavily into the category of preparing for the future after trading away center Willy Hernangomez and a season-ending injury to Kristaps Porzingis. The Knicks were in the market for assets or young players to build around heading into the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline.
The Denver Nuggets traded point guard Emmanuel Mudiay to the Knicks as part of a three-team deal that includes the Dallas Mavericks. The trade was first reported by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Knicks will send forward Doug McDermott and a 2018 second round pick (via the Los Angeles Clippers) to Denver, while the Nuggets will acquire veteran guard Devin Harris. The third-year point guard Mudiay was averaging 8.5 points per game this season, primarily off the bench behind talented starter Jamal Murray.
Leading up to the 2015 NBA Draft, Mudiay was scouted heavily by New York’s then-team president Phil Jackson, who teased at the possibility of selecting him at No. 4 overall. The Knicks obviously went on to take Porzingis as the franchise’s future star, but were incredibly close to adding the crowd favorite in Mudiay.
In preparation for that year’s draft, Mudiay spoke with reporters and expresssed a strong interest in playing under Jackson’s triangle offense and performing at Madison Square Garden.
"“He’s a winner, I know that,’’ Mudiay said of the Zen Master. “He knows how to win and make players better. If I’m lucky enough to play for him, I’d definitely try to pick his brain at anything. I already know he’ll make me into a great basketball player.”“It’s a great city, it’s the city of basketball. The mecca — a great city to play for. It’s a beautiful city. They love basketball. Every time I’ve come down to play in high school, I’ve loved playing down here. If I was drafted by the Knicks it would definitely be a blessing. A historical team in the NBA, I’d love to come out here.’’"
Knicks general manager Scott Perry was very open to reporters on Wednesday leading into the trade deadline about looking at guards for the future, not the short-term.
"“If somebody offers us [a point guard], we’re going to sure look for him,’’ Perry said. “But we’ll see where conversations lead us. That is one of the areas of the team where we want to improve, to become more athletic. But you never know if that’s going to happen at the deadline. We have summertime. We have time to add some of the components.“If there’s a deal that we feel is going to make our team better not only in the short-term, but in the long run, we’re going to be open to doing it. Now that won’t change as long as I’m here, regardless of where were at record-wise.”"
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This trade is definitely for the long haul, as Mudiay turns 22 years old on March 5 and will be expected to compete for minutes in a very young Knicks backcourt. The young point guard combination of Mudiay, Frank Ntilikina and Trey Burke will give options to head coach Jeff Hornacek.
Next: NBA Trade Grades - Knicks add Emmanuel Mudiay
The days may be numbered for current starting point guard Jarrett Jack, as the Knicks hope to develop their young core for the future. It will be interesting to see Mudiay mix in with Porzingis whenever he makes his return from injury next season. That could be the ultimate test as to who starts at point guard for the Knicks moving forward.