New York Knicks: 4 players likeliest to be dealt by trade deadline
By Dalton Sell
Likeliest New York Knicks to be traded — Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina
The New York Knicks acquired Derrick Rose for relatively cheap, forking over just Dennis Smith Jr., who had been out of the rotation anyway, and a second-round pick (via Charlotte Hornets).
The New York Post’s Marc Berman reported that the Knicks were firm in the negotiations, not willing to part ways with any future first-round picks or their young tandem of Kevin Knox and Frank Nitilikina. Berman noted that the Knicks wanted to keep these assets close in the event that a star player becomes available in future trade discussions, specifically Victor Oladipo or Bradley Beal.
Although both Ntilikina and Knox have primarily out of the rotation this season, they could still potentially garner some interest on the trade market if made available. Both are former lottery draft selections, Ntilikina picked eighth in 2017, and Knox picked ninth overall in 2018.
Both players are still under 23-years-old, meaning their potential is still waiting to be unearthed. Furthermore, they are still on their rookie-scale contracts, making them far more enticing to bring aboard for opposing teams financially.
It is clear that the Knicks are trying to win now, and if these can package these two in a deal alongside salary filler and draft compensation, a move for someone like Victor Oladipo could be feasible. Only time will tell, but as seen with New York making a move for Derrick Rose out of left field, they are not afraid to shake things up on their roster at this moment.