As seen with their form over the past few weeks, this current iteration of the New York Knicks looks like it will need some changes if they want to have any real hopes of being title contenders, and a trade before the February 5th deadline feels likely.
Yes, the Knicks have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo for months now, and while he still might be a possibility, albeit an uncertain one, signs point to the team making moves around the edges to sure-up what has been a questionable and inconsistent lineup since they won the NBA Cup in mid-December.
New York has been linked to a ton of names this trade cycle, but most recently, they were urged to target someone who has gotten a ton of buzz across the NBA as the deadline approaches.
Writing for Posting and Toasting, Kento Kato urged the Knicks to go after Ayo Dosunmu of the Chicago Bulls, a point guard who is arguably having the best season of his professional career.
Knicks Urged To Land Ayo Dosunmu In Trade
As Kato mentioned, he isn’t the flashiest name on the trade market, but with the restrictions New York has put on itself regarding any trade, Dosunmu could make a ton of sense for this roster.
“He is having a career-year, averaging 14.5PPG and 3.4APG while shooting 51.2% from the field and 45.3% from three. Some of those numbers may eventually come down, but Dosunmu has developed into a very good player who provides a little bit of everything,” he wrote. “He would instantly bring in more scoring, more spacing, and shooting, solid, to good physical defense, with size, and some ballhandling, and playmaking. All of those are things the Knicks need.”
Dosunmu has been mentioned a bunch in recent trade rumors, as he is one of many Bulls’ players on an expiring contract. Whether New York would want to extend him or not, having a guard of his caliber coming off the bench, even if it’s just for the rest of the season, could do wonders in the non-Jalen Brunson minutes.
“Dosunmu’s athletic and physical build would instantly allow him to become the best point-of-attack defender in the starting lineup, allowing Bridges to wreak havoc as a help defender, something he does exceptionally well,” Kato added. “His improved shooting also takes pressure off everyone and provides Jalen Brunson and Towns with more space to operate.”
No one seems to know the direction Chicago is taking, but the 26-year-old appears to be a hot commodity this trade deadline. But even if the Knicks had to give up Guerschon Yabusele and either Pacome Dadiet or Tyler Kolek, adding a proven guard like Dosunmu would likely be worth it.
Knicks Trade Rumors
The idea of adding Antetokounmpo is still within the realm of possibility, but as time goes on, the Knicks, along with a few other teams, targeting the Greek star over the summer appears to be the more likely scenario.
They’ve been linked to players like Jose Alvarado, Keon Ellis, Jeremy Sochan, and a few others, but with the massive amounts of money wrapped up in the team’s current contracts, a small move like adding one of those players looks a lot more likely then even coming close to adding anyone even sniffing the All-Star game, let alone the Milwaukee Bucks‘ star.
Writing for ESPN, Bobby Marks detailed the brutal reality of the Knicks’ big trade hopes.
“A roster shakeup is unlikely, unless New York wants to explore trades for Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. This summer, Towns is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension. In the past 10 games, he has averaged 17.6 points,” the insider noted.
“New York could make a trade to add another playmaker or shed money. The Knicks are $148,000 below the second-apron hard cap and not allowed to sign a 15th player until April 2. To open a spot, the Knicks could choose to trade Guerschon Yabusele or Pacome Dadiet.”
For the time being, if they do make a trade, it will come in the form of a backup or reserve player. The idea of trading Towns now seems unlikely, as well as any of their other starters. Owner James Dolan expressed his faith in this current team, but at the moment, they’ll need to make some changes if winning four straight playoff rounds is in their future.
Knicks Urged To Target 14 PPG Two-Way Guard In Trade Rumors