Speculation ahead of the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline is in full swing. While there’s no guarantee when it comes to this league as wild as the modern NBA is, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on each squad’s roster as the deadline draws near. Let’s break down the roster and look at the likeliness of each player being traded.
Players Unlikely To Be Dealt
No one on the Knicks is truly untouchable. New York is forever eyeing a star and that dream may come to reality with William Wesley and Tom Thibodeau providing sound structure in the Big Apple.
However, major moves don’t appear likely before the deadline since there isn’t really a major star available. Victor Oladipo remains a possibility, though it’s feasible that the Knicks have enough to pry him from the Rockets (especially given their cupboard of picks) without sending away a member of their mini-core.
Biggest Names Available
It seems like Frank Ntilikina has been on the trade block since he put on the New York Knicks hat on draft night. Kevin Knox at least had a stretch where he appears to be in the team’s long-term plans. The pair of former top-10 picks are available for the right price prior to March 25.
Logical Trade Pieces
Nerlens Noel‘s presence on the Knicks appears to be critical at the moment with Robinson sidelined, though Taj Gibson is slowly eating away at the role. Noel, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, isn’t a lock to remain in New York long-term.
Elfrid Payton has a de facto no-trade clause by virtue of re-signing on a one-year deal, though earlier in the year there were rumors that teams were eyeing the veteran point guard. With Derrick Rose in town and Quickley developing, it’s unlikely he has a long-term future with this team. Payton is currently out of the lineup with a hamstring injury, though it doesn’t appear to be a serious ailment.
Austin Rivers, who inked a deal with the Knicks during the offseason, is out of New York’s rotation and the club is certainly open to offers.
Trades Are Possible
Derrick Rose was dealt to the Knicks earlier in the season and the point guard is more likely to stay and re-sign with the club during the offseason than to be traded out of New York before the deadline. 🏀 Alec Burks has had a solid spot in the rotation for much of the season, though his role could change if the Knicks bring in another scorer. 🏀 Reggie Bullock will be a free agent at the end of the season. The former Clipper has seen at least 20 minutes of action in all but five games in which he’s suited up. 🏀 Ignas Brazdeikis truthers have been quiet lately. The 2019 second-round pick has seen just seven minutes of NBA action this season (saw only 53 as a rookie last year). 🏀 Taj Gibson technically can’t be traded until March 23—two days before the deadline—though he’s a Thibs’ favorite and he’s likely more valuable to the Knicks than he’d be to any other team.
