In what was a rocky start to the season for the new-look Knicks, it has since been ironed out with a lengthy winning streak and more cohesion among new faces.
However, cracks have begun to show. A recent three-game losing streak and injuries to key players have halted the momentum the team had built over the prior few weeks.
Due to these injuries, the team’s depth has been tested and has not fared well. Their 20.6 bench points per game are comfortably good for last in the NBA.
To solve this, the trade market must be the source of the teams’ upgrades. Since all of the Knicks bench options are bigs or point guards, a wing option or two will be necessary by the February trade deadline.
Knicks Trade Target No. 1: Torrey Craig
While he may not be the flashiest addition, Craig could be available for quite cheap and has played well in limited action with the Bulls this season.
He is 15-35 from three in nine games, good for 42.9%. He has always been a quality wing defender and is making less than $3 million this season. Even at 34 years old, he could still be an impact player off the bench for a contending Knicks team desperate for perimeter depth. He has been nursing an ankle sprain but is due for reevaluation soon.
Craig could slide in on the wing in spells when healthy, replacing OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges as a catch-and-shoot player while defending the opposition’s better perimeter players. Unlike many other possible deadline splash moves, he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be productive, and the Knicks would be getting him for next to nothing.
Knicks Trade Target No. 2: Javonte Green
Having played a key role for a decimated Pelicans roster, Javonte Green has stepped in and played well.
He’s shooting 38.8% from downtown on the season, averaging 6.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals over 21.9 minutes per night.
Green, 31, is making just over $2 million this season, bringing another decent-sized body to a barren forward depth chart for the Knicks. His pesky defense, high-efficiency shooting from two and three, and veteran presence could all be qualities the Knicks look for in adding a piece at the trade deadline.
While this post highlights a fit for the Celtics, the highlights show a clear fit off the bench for the Knicks. A tenacious defender of multiple positions who has become a consistent three-point shooter sounds like Tom Thibodeau’s dream.
Knicks Trade Target No. 3: Josh Richardson
This may be the flashiest name on the list, but Richardson has struggled mightily in limited action this season.
He hasn’t played since Nov. 18 due to a heel injury, and his shooting splits in the eight games he has appeared in are less than appealing. The Heat could be transitioning toward youth as they look to trade Jimmy Butler in what has been yet another up-and-down season. As Richardson ramps back towards full fitness, he could bring perimeter shot-making, outstanding wing defense, and playoff experience for just over $3 million on the season.
Whether the Heat plan to move Richardson is a question in itself. Although his injury has lingered for the better part of two months, he could be an excellent fit for the Knicks in the stretch run.
Richardson has experience handling the ball in his lengthy NBA career. His ability to play on or off the ball makes him extremely valuable for any offense and guard multiple positions. A savvy veteran who is a proven winner and has plenty left in the tank as a shooter, defender, and leader is exactly what the Knicks need down the stretch.
Making a Move is a Must
The Knicks are a flawed contender. They have some real championship pieces on their frontlines, a multi-time NBA coach of the year, and the best fans in the league. What’s missing are contributions from the bench to mold the starters and, at times, take pressure off the team’s stars.
While these additions would help, they do not make the Knicks the favorites. They merely give the team another body to rotate and get average minutes out while keeping their starters fresh without too much of a drop-off in identity or efficiency.
Leon Rose has his hands full over the next two weeks and change. How he proceeds with the roster coming up will almost certainly directly impact how the team fares in mid-May in pursuit of a championship.
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