Despite a 14-15 overall record, the New York Knicks are currently jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference’s far-too-early playoff picture.
They look like a rejuvenated team with former Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau leading the way in his first season with the franchise, playing some of the best defense in the entire league. Offensively, they have needed a spark, and the front office did their part by swinging a trade for veteran guard Derrick Rose recently.
As evidenced by this move, this team is willing to push their chips to the center of the table if it helps them improve in the present. With Thibodeau running the show as their coach, the Knicks believe they can end their lengthy playoff drought this season, and that might make them more inclined to continue surveying the trade market.
The New York Knicks might not be done making moves following the Derrick Rose trade as the NBA’s March 25th trade deadlines inches closer.
With a bountiful supply of draft capital over the next several seasons, the Knicks are well-positioned to land another star player to bolster their current contending chances. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, the Knicks are indeed monitoring who could be available on the trade market ahead of next month’s deadline:
"“They’re going to be in the mix when a star becomes available,” a source familiar with the Knicks’ thinking told the Daily News. “That’s been the plan.”"
Thinking about who the New York Knicks could make a move for is undoubtedly compelling, but who might they be willing to give up? As they often are, several players on this roster have been linked in trade rumors, and this team could very well look different than it does now by March 25th.
With that being said, here are the four players likeliest to be traded by the New York Knicks before next month’s trade deadline in their pursuit for more talent.