With a plethora of first-round picks at their disposal combined with a shortened rotation that has left some glued to the bench, the New York Knicks are expected to be active in the trade market before this Thursday’s trade deadline.
It should come as no surprise that they’ve been linked to several big names over the past few months, from All-Stars to elite role players.
In this ranking of everyone that has been mentioned in Knicks trade rumors, there are going to be two main criteria. The talent level of each player as well as the impact they would have on the current team if they do end up heading to New York.
Ranking each of the Knicks’ potential trade targets ahead of Feb. 9 deadline
Tier 3: Bench pieces
These players likely wouldn’t cost much but could be valuable in 15-20 minutes per game, helping resolve some of the issues with backups that have plagued the Knicks as of late.
Grayson Allen
Allen has been starting for the Bucks this year in place of Khris Middleton as he recovers from wrist and knee injuries. The 27-year-old guard is averaging 10.6 points per game on efficient 45-41-90 shooting splits.
With the Bucks reportedly being interested in Cam Reddish, there has been speculation that a potential swap could happen.
Allen would likely return to the bench if he were to end up in New York, helping space the floor for Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin. He may not be a long-term starter, but he would be an offensive upgrade over Miles McBride at the backup shooting guard position.
Jarred Vanderbilt
Jarred Vanderbilt improved his overall game in his last two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves before finally breaking out this year in the Utah Jazz’s high-powered offense. He’s averaging 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in just 24.1 minutes per game.
He’s also shooting 56% from the field, 33% from three, and 66% from the free throw line to go along with excellent defense. At just 23 years old, he also fits the timeline of the team’s young core.
Vanderbilt would likely replace Obi Toppin in the rotation if he gets dealt, as there are few avenues for him to receive 20+ minutes with Julius Randle returning to All-Star form. Vanderbilt doesn’t possess the incredible athleticism or shooting touch that Toppin does, but his impressive rebounding and defense would both be upgrades.
interested in Cam Reddish</a>, there has been speculation that a potential swap could happen.</p>
<p>Allen would likely return to the bench if he were to end up in New York, helping space the floor for Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin. He may not be a long-term starter, but he would be an offensive upgrade over Miles McBride at the backup shooting guard position.</p>
<h2>Jarred Vanderbilt</h2>
<p>Jarred Vanderbilt improved his overall game in his last two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves before finally breaking out this year in the Utah Jazz’s high-powered offense. He’s averaging 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in just 24.1 minutes per game.</p>
<p>He’s also shooting 56% from the field, 33% from three, and 66% from the free throw line to go along with excellent defense. At just 23 years old, he also fits the timeline of the team’s young core.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vando getting 𝕗𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕪 🌀 <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://t.co/DqOpt0qdtl">pic.twitter.com/DqOpt0qdtl
<p>— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/1611171563008831489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Vanderbilt would likely replace Obi Toppin in the rotation if he gets dealt, as there are few avenues for him to receive 20+ minutes with Julius Randle returning to All-Star form. Vanderbilt doesn’t possess the incredible athleticism or shooting touch that Toppin does, but his impressive rebounding and defense would both be upgrades.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Core rotation members </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-139274" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2129,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2023%2F02%2F1456022668.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Malik Beasley" width="3200" height="2129" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/02/1456022668.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/02/1456022668-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Malik Beasley, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>Tier 2: High-minute rotation players</h3>
<p>While the Knicks typically run a nine-man rotation, there are only a few players that regularly provide the difference between wins and losses. When fully healthy this category consists of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes.</p>
<p>The players in this tier would enter that group.</p>
<h2>Malik Beasley</h2>
<p>The combination of Vanderbilt as well as sharpshooter Malik Beasley <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumors-nets-kyrie-irving-lakers-suns-mavs-heat-trade-interest-knicks-jazz-trade/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has been discussed</a> as a potential return in a Toppin trade. Beasley has fluctuated this season as a starter and reserve but is putting up impressive numbers in Utah.</p>
<p>He’s averaging 13.5 points and 3.5 rebounds on 40-36-81 splits. While his shooting numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet, it’s important to note that he takes 8.6 threes per game. In fact, he’s sixth in the entire league in made three-pointers.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the Knicks only have one player that shoots more than five threes per game while hitting higher than 35% of those looks (Quentin Grimes, who averages 5.4 attempts). Beasley provides the high-volume shooting threat that forces defenses to extend and can open up driving lanes for others.</p>
<h2>Saddiq Bey</h2>
<p>With the Detroit Pistons heading toward another rough season, the Knicks have expressed interest in offensive-minded forward Saddiq Bey.</p>
<p>The 23-year-old has had a solid career thus far, but he hasn’t become the highly efficient wing scorer that the Pistons thought they were getting when they selected him 19th overall back in 2020.</p>
<p>Bey is averaging 15.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game this season, with shooting splits of 41-35-86.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SADDIQ BEY CALLED GAME <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://t.co/ijJmU2GizD">pic.twitter.com/ijJmU2GizD
<p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1610870234935877632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 5, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The Knicks don’t have a bigger forward that can create offense since Cam Reddish was benched, which is where Bey would come in. He’s 6’7″ and 215 pounds, with a 6’11” wingspan.</p>
<p>The hope is that a smaller role would increase Bey’s efficiency and allow him to concentrate on defense, where he could finally use his physical tools to become a force on that end. Trading for him would absolutely be an upside-focused move, but it could pay off in a major way if he pans out.</p>
<h2>Alex Caruso</h2>
<p>Caruso has become one of the best defenders in the NBA over the past few seasons, receiving All-Defensive team votes in each of the past two years. With the Chicago Bulls struggling mightily this season, there are rumors that the front office could blow up the current core.</p>
<p>While Caruso’s averages of 5.7 points and 3.3 assists per game are modest at best, they don’t come close to telling the full story regarding his impact on a nightly basis.</p>
<p>His 1.7 steals per game ranks fifth in the league, despite playing just 24.1 minutes per night. He ranks second in the NBA in defensive box plus/minus and 18th in individual defensive rating.</p>
<p>In fact, he has the highest <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/advanced?TeamID=1610612741&dir=A&sort=NET_RATING%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">net rating</a> on the Bulls amongst players with at least 30 appearances.</p>
<p>He’d immediately become the best one-on-one defender in the rotation if he were to end up in New York. It isn’t hard to imagine the Knicks having a top-five defense with Robinson protecting the paint and Caruso patrolling the perimeter.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The elite pickups </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-139275" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2023%2F02%2F1442823283.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, OG Anunoby" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/02/1442823283.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2023/02/1442823283-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>Tier 1: Immediate starters/star players</h3>
<p>These players would instantly be an upgrade to the Knicks’ starting lineup, and would likely raise the ceiling of the entire roster.</p>
<h2>Zach LaVine</h2>
<p>While he wouldn’t completely deplete their assets, LaVine is the type of star that Team President Leon Rose has been stockpiling picks to trade for.</p>
<p>There have been <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://twitter.com/KCJHoop/status/1605336503198285825">reports regarding LaVine’s desire to remain with the Bulls and combined with his relatively underwhelming season, the Knicks could theoretically “buy low” on the two-time All-Star.</p>
<p>While he didn’t make the team this year due to both his and the Bulls’ inconsistency, the 27-year-old is still averaging 23.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 46% from the field and 38% from three.</p>
<p>LaVine has also spoken positively about Tom Thibodeau several times since the two were both a part of the Minnesota Timberwolves back in 2017. Despite Thibodeau trading LaVine, the former first-round pick still <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2020/2/13/21135479/tom-thibodeau-hungry-start-winning-again-bulls-timberwolves-nba-all-star-weekend" target="_blank" rel="noopener">speaks fondly</a> about his old coach.</p>
<p>While a LaVine trade <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/06/knicks-trade-rumors-bulls-stance-zach-lavine-relieve-fans/">may not come to fruition</a> before Thursday, he’ll be an important name to monitor going forward as the Knicks presumably go “star-hunting” in the summer.</p>
<h2>OG Anunoby</h2>
<p>OG Anunoby has quickly become the most popular name linked to New York over the past couple of weeks, and with good reason. Similar to the Bulls, many are expecting the Toronto Raptors to trade away some of their core players as they’ve dropped to 12th place in the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p>In his sixth season, Anunoby is averaging 16.9 points and 5.5 rebounds on 46-37-82 shooting splits. His offensive output is solid, and even more impressive considering he’s known for his defense.</p>
<p>The former 23rd overall pick in 2017 is 6’7″ with an absurd 7’2″ wingspan. When you add in his 232-pound frame and elite defensive instincts, Anunoby is one of the most versatile defenders in the entire league. His 2.1 steals per game rank second in the NBA.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">These straps also deserve a highlight 🚧</p>
<p>⭐️VOTE O.G. TODAY⭐️: <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://t.co/KDXDiFuHwj">https://t.co/KDXDiFuHwj <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://t.co/mqAVW0eSnT">pic.twitter.com/mqAVW0eSnT
<p>— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/02/07/ranking-players-linked-knicks-trade-rumors-deadline/"https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1612210775820582913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>At just 25 years old, he hasn’t even hit the prime years of his career yet.</p>
<p>While he isn’t an effective playmaker just yet and can sometimes struggle to create his own offense, the positives far outweigh the negatives. He can immediately slide into the starting lineup and fit seamlessly alongside Randle and Brunson.</p>
<p>Some trade additions may be more beneficial than others, but all of the aforementioned players would help out the Knicks as they continue their playoff push.</p>
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