New York Knicks: 3 positives to pursuing D’Angelo Russell trade

3. Fills major need

The New York Knicks are constantly overhauling their roster, but if there has ever been one constant to it, it is the point guard position. The Knicks seemingly haven’t had a consistent producer at the position since Charlie Ward, who last played for the team during the 2003-04 season.

Since then the Knicks have had several players try to fill the void. Stephon Marbury garnered a ton of attention, Chris Duhon broke the assist record but accomplished little else and Raymond Felton was serviceable. But D’Angelo Russell would fill the void and potentially in a long-term manner.

The former Ohio State product would be a huge upgrade over what is currently on the roster. Elfrid Payton has shown flashes but doesn’t possess the upside that Russell does. Dennis Smith Jr. has done nothing since being the centerpiece of the Kristaps Porzingis trade and has been discussed in trade rumors. Frank Ntilikina has a long way to figure it out and produce consistently.

The biggest void currently on the roster is at the point guard position. They have long-term solutions in RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson, but little elsewhere. Russell would give the team a solution at the point guard spot going forward.