THE New York Knicks can have some attention-grabbing choices to make at this upcoming commerce deadline. Regardless of going 27-16 to begin the season, they’ve clear and apparent flaws that should be addressed, with depth being the largest subject.
Their beginning 5 has been superior, however they lack confidence behind them off the bench. The Knicks are unlikely to tug off a blockbuster commerce that will radically shake up their rotation.
Paul Pierce needs Knicks to amass Zion Williamson
Nevertheless, NBA legend Paul Pierce needs to see them make a splash. He mentioned on his podcast titled: “Ticket and the reality” with Basketball Corridor of Famer and former teammate Kevin Garnett that he want to see the Knicks make a transfer for New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson.
“If I’m the Knicks, I’m attempting to get Zion proper now,” Pierce mentioned. “You’ve got plenty of ineffective cats.”
Pierce went on to bizarrely say the Knicks may ship the ultra-reliable Josh Hart in a commerce for Williamson. The Knicks may have entered Williamson within the draft in 2019, as they had been in a main place to land the No. 1 general decide.
Nevertheless, the Pelicans nabbed him on the high of the lottery whereas the Knicks settled for RJ Barrett on the No. 3 decide. Williamson has been a star on the court docket when wholesome, however accidents and a latest lack of dedication to the staff have made him a much less intriguing want available on the market.
Knicks ought to keep away from making a transfer for Williamson
It does not make a lot sense for the Knicks to desert their new core so shortly for a unstable participant. Williamson, 24, has performed in simply 10 video games for the Pelicans this season and is averaging 21.9 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists. He missed video games because of accidents and was additionally suspended for one sport because of a “violation of staff insurance policies.”
On high of all that, Williamson’s contract is shortly changing into an albatross. He’s at the moment within the second 12 months of a five-year, $197 million extension, and is anticipated to hit a $36 million cap hit this season. His expertise is plain, however the lack of availability makes him one of many worst contracts within the league proper now. He has solely performed in additional than 70 video games as soon as in his profession and missed the complete 2021-22 season because of harm.
Plus, Williamson would not remedy the Knicks’ issues. Whereas including an All-Star ahead may nonetheless have its advantages, Williamson would not considerably remodel the offense from what it already is, and that will come at the price of some crucial items they cannot afford to surrender.
To resolve the Knicks’ issues, they merely have to search for cheaper depth choices that would not break up the principle core. The squad they at the moment have has an excessive amount of potential of their league window to waste it earlier than a full season is over.
