A possible commerce goal for the Knicks is formally off the board.
The Charlotte Hornets traded heart Nick Richards and a 2025 second-round choose to the Phoenix Suns in trade for ahead Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, in accordance with ESPN.
Richards, who is predicted to step right into a beginning position for the Suns, had been linked to the Knicks as a reported commerce goal, significantly given New York’s precarious scenario on the heart place. He averaged 11.3 factors, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks within the 9 video games he began for the Hornets this season and boasts the fifth-highest area purpose proportion amongst gamers with not less than 800 shot makes an attempt over the previous 4 years, per ESPN Analysis.
That form of effectivity would have made Richards a great match for a Knicks workforce dealing with a sophisticated and fragile heart rotation. Mitchell Robinson remains to be recovering from ankle surgical procedure, and forward of Wednesday’s matchup in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Knicks dominated Karl-Anthony Cities out with a proper thumb sprain. Cities sustained the harm in Monday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, jamming his thumb on the underside of the backboard throughout a drive to the rim. He performed by the ache however aggravated the harm as the sport progressed.
With out Cities, the Knicks entered Wednesday’s recreation with restricted choices on the 5: Jericho Sims, rookie Ariel Hukporti, and backup ahead Treasured Achiuwa. Sims drew the beginning in Cities’ absence, however the rotation stays a priority for a workforce with playoff aspirations.
The Hornets and Suns have been capable of finalize the Richards-for-Okogie swap largely as a result of Charlotte had the flexibleness to take again extra wage than it despatched out — a luxurious few groups possess below the league’s new monetary guidelines. With Okogie incomes $8.25 million and Richards making $5 million, Charlotte absorbed an extra $3.25 million to safe additional draft capital.
For the Knicks, navigating the commerce market would require comparable creativity. New York is hard-capped on the second apron, can not take again extra wage than it sends out, and has no outright tradable first-round draft picks. Nevertheless, the entrance workplace holds a stockpile of second-round picks that would facilitate offers akin to the Suns-Hornets commerce.
Cities’ harm shouldn’t be believed to be severe, and Robinson’s eventual return would restore one of many league’s prime offensive rebounders and rim protectors to the Knicks’ rotation. Nevertheless, Robinson’s intensive harm historical past stays a priority. Ought to he endure one other setback, the Knicks’ frontcourt depth would as soon as once more be stretched skinny.
Unsurprisingly, Robinson’s identify has circulated in commerce rumors. So has Achiuwa, who waived his no-trade clause final summer season when he used his Chicken Rights to re-sign with the Knicks on a one-year deal. With the Feb. 6 NBA Commerce Deadline looming, the Knicks might must make a transfer to shore up their frontcourt and preserve their championship ambitions alive.
The frontcourt isn’t the one space of concern for the Knicks.
Depth on the wings is one other urgent want, particularly contemplating their three-guard rotation of Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and Cameron Payne maxes out at simply 6-foot-4. This lack of measurement leaves the Knicks weak in opposition to larger, extra bodily groups and limits their defensive versatility.
And but, if the Suns — working above the second apron — can finalize a commerce with none first-round picks, the Knicks can comply with go well with.
They’ve the second-round picks, and with three weeks remaining till the commerce deadline, they’ve the posh of time as effectively. The clock is ticking, however the alternative to strike the correct deal remains to be inside attain.
