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New York Knicks: Trades that could land Lauri Markkanen

By Alexander Trataros

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls in action against Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 28, 2019 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Bulls 105-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls in action against Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 28, 2019 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Bulls 105-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Kevin Knox
New York Knicks (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

First trade option

New York Knicks

The Knicks would want Markkanen because of his size, 3-point shooting, and his decent defense.

After trading Porzingis, the Knicks need floor spacing to help RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson operate in the paint.

To get an idea of how bad the Knicks were from 3-point range, NBA Stats ranked them 27th in the league by average 33.7 3-point percentage. Furthermore, NBA Stats had the Knicks ranked second-to-last in the league with 3-point attempts and dead last in 3-pointers made.

Chicago Bulls

For the Bulls to trade Markkanen they have to receive a player with upside and some draft picks.

Here, Kevin Knox would be the player with upside. Now granted that Knox dipped in production this year, there is still potential in the young forward. Knox has shown the ability to knock down threes and embracing contact when driving to the basket in the half-court or transition. Also, he is still young enough that he can work through his deficiencies.

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Of all the players, Knox would be the realistic option in this scenario because Barrett and Robinson would probably be off-limits. And even if Barrett and Robinson were brought up in trade options, first-round picks wouldn’t be offered with either one of these players because they have great upside. As I mentioned before, Karnisovas would want draft picks to rebuild the Bulls in his vision.

If Frank Ntilikina was involved, he alone wouldn’t be a realistic option because the Bulls are filled with guards. And the Bulls would need a forward or center because their viable options at those positions are limited. Ntilikina could be packaged with Knox if this deal is not enough, but then the second-round pick would be removed because Ntilikina provides more value currently than a potential player.

As for the two draft picks, Bulls would also want to receive two draft picks as compensation as insurance if Knox doesn’t turn out to be a reliable player. The Knicks have two 2021 first-rounders and two 2021 second-rounders, so they are capable of moving some of those picks (excluding their own) if it gets Markkanen in return.

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