The Knicks’ search for a point guard continues and the list of names they’ve been linked to continues to grow.
Russell Westbrook was rumored to be an option earlier in the year and while it’s possible that the team changes its stance, the latest buzz indicates that New York is not motivated to add the former MVP via trade. The organization has its eyes on Jalen Brunson, though signs point to the Villanova product staying in Dallas. D’Angelo Russell, who could be on the trade block this summer, is on the team’s radar and make may sense depending on what the Timberwolves would require in a trade.
One name that New York appears out on is Collin Sexton (per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report). New York isn’t projected to have significant cap space this summer, so any Sexton deal would likely have to be a sign-and-trade.
New York is also reportedly exploring options to move up in the draft with Jaden Ivey as their target. The Knicks have their future first-rounders plus an additional first-round pick in 2023 from the Kristaps Porzingis trade.
More NBA Buzz
- Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors recently broke down the Cavaliers’ offseason objectives and opined that Cleveland could have some leverage in negotiations with Sexton partly because few teams have an abundance of cap room. Last offseason, it seemed Sexton could command a $20-25 million annual salary, though Adams sees the $15-17 million range as a more reasonable figure given that the combo guard coming off of injury as well as the current market conditions. Still, Sexton is garnering interest on the sign-and-trade market with the Wizards being among the teams linked to him.
- While the Raptors continue to be on the hunt for a center and some speculate that they could swap Pascal Siakam for Rudy Gobert, Fischer hears that Toronto values their power forward more than the former Defensive Player of the Year. Utah has interest in OG Anunoby, though constructing a trade could be complicated given the difference between the wing’s $18 million salary and Gobert’s $38.2 million salary for the upcoming season.
- The Blazers are also in the mix for Anunoby if he’s truly available and the club is “widely expected” to explore trading the No. 7 Pick in order to add veteran help alongside Damian Lillard, Fischer writes in the same piece. Josh Hart and the No. 7 pick could be a package that the Blazers send, though Fischer hears that Toronto would want more if they are going to trade away Anunoby. Jerami Grant is another name to watch and Portland could absorb the salary of either forward with the trade exception they acquired in the CJ McCollum deal. It’s worth noting that Grant and Lillard both played for Team USA’s most recent Gold Medal run.
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It seems like the Pistons will land a center one way or another this offseason. They continue to be linked to Deandre Ayton and Mitchell Robinson (the No. 5 and No.. 26 free agents on our Top 48 list. Detroit is expected to be the only team to have $30+ million in cap space this summer.
- There are at least five teams, including the Hornets, in the mix for Deandre Ayton this summer and Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer examines whether the franchise has a real shot at landing the former No. 1 overall pick. Charlotte has long been linked to centers on the trade market and since Ayton is a restricted free agent, it’s likely that an acquisition would come via sign-and-trade. The Hawks, Spurs, Pistons, and Blazers have all been linked to Ayton as well.
