One prediction for every NBA team at the NBA Trade Deadline
By Corey Rausch
New York Knicks – Sell
The New York Knicks are in a surprisingly good position considering where they have been over recent seasons. On the fringe of playoff contention, the Knicks have been an above-average defense and they have already made their trade, bringing in Derrick Rose at the low cost of a second-round pick and Dennis Smith Jr.
Bringing in Rose clogs the lineup and means that selling off on one of the many other point guards on the roster would be addition by subtraction. Elfrid Payton feels like the odd man. Immanuel Quickley has had a fantastic rookie campaign so far and is clearly the future. Frank Ntilikina is an expiring rookie contract and his value around the league is suspect at best.
Payton has struggled this season but is a worthwhile bench option for a potential playoff team. Derrick Rose is better for this team so finding a decent landing spot for Payton should be the next step. Getting the rotation in order to maximize the potential of Quickley should be the priority, alongside the possible playoff push.
Finding the right spot for him may be the hardest part of all of this. If the Clippers do not have the opportunity to bring in Lowry as mentioned previously then Payton is a compromise of sorts. The cost would certainly be lesser at least.