3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Prior to training camp last year, the Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder made a trade, as OKC acquired Carmelo Anthony from New York. The Thunder could look to trade for another Knicks veteran for the second year in a row, this one with a better likelihood of working.
Lee would fit into the Thunder’s game plan as a floor-spacer to help open things up for Russell Westbrook to operate. Lee is an excellent 3-point shooter, giving the Thunder an option at shooting guard that isn’t a huge negative on that side of the court like Andre Roberson.
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Roberson’s defense is what keeps him in the lineup. While Lee is getting older, he is still a solid defender. Oklahoma City was never the same when Roberson went down with a knee injury last season. Lee could help offset that loss if Roberson struggles to return to form.
Roberson is still not cleared for 5-on-5 play yet and is hopeful to be 100 percent by December. Lee would give them insurance in case that doesn’t come to fruition. He would give the Thunder a versatile 3-and-D option that can either come off the bench or slide into the starting lineup between Westbrook and Paul George.
What could get the Knicks to listen on the phone? Without expiring deals to match, a package of Alex Abrines and Terrence Ferguson could be a good place to start. Ferguson, along with Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Abdel Nader, have team options following the 2018-19 season.
The Knicks could get a season to evaluate them and decide if they want to hold onto them for cheap or open up the cap space. Hamidou Diallo is cheap enough that the Knicks could target him as well.