After ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced that the Cleveland Cavaliers, not the New York Knicks, would be trading for Donovan Mitchell, there were mixed emotions in New York. The idea of trading for a star of Mitchell’s caliber is what every team hopes for, but at what cost?
The unprotected picks that the Cavaliers included in the deal were 2025, 2027, 2029. The pick swaps run in the years 2026 and 2028.
With Mitchell now off the table, the Knicks seem content with the roster they have. Having locked up Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and signing Jalen Brunson in free agency, New York will most likely go into the 2022-23 season with the current roster as it stands.
However, Marc Berman of the New York Post tweeted there could be another name the Knicks look to:
If the Thunder are looking to move Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Knicks, as most teams in the NBA, will certainly be calling to inquire about the rising star.
Here’s why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moving to The Big Apple would benefit the Knicks
1. Size in the backcourt
A critique that can be made of the signing of Jalen Brunson is that he lacks size. Standing at six-foot-one, Brunson often is a defensive liability, although he makes up for it with his offensive capabilities. Trading for Donovan Mitchell, who is also six-foot-one, would’ve given the Knicks a rather small backcourt. When you look around the NBA, most teams do possess a smaller guard, but rarely do teams have two playing next to each other.
Having size in the NBA matters. Just scan through the two teams that just made the NBA Finals. The Celtics rolled out a backcourt of Marcus Smart (six-foot-three) and Jaylen Brown (six-foot-six). They also picked up Malcolm Brogdon in the offseason, a six-foot-five combo guard.
Even with Stephen Curry being six-foot-two, the Warriors have made sure to surround him with bigger guards such as Klay Thompson (six-foot-six) and Jordan Poole (six-foot-four). Curry is also the exception to the smaller guard rule as he has proven that he can score on anyone regardless of height disadvantages.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would bring New York a nice size at six-foot-six. He would help offset Brunson’s smaller frame and would give the Knicks the ability to hide Brunson on defense. SGA can help guard opposing team’s best wings and is still improving as a defender.
In SI’s end of the year report card for SGA, Ross Lovelace noted that SGA has the size and length to be an elite defender. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-high in steals at 1.3 per game while also almost averaging a block per game.
trading for Donovan Mitchell</a>, there were mixed emotions in New York. The idea of trading for a star of Mitchell’s caliber is what every team hopes for, but at what cost?</p>
<p>The unprotected picks that the Cavaliers included in the deal were 2025, 2027, 2029. The pick swaps run in the years 2026 and 2028.</p>
<p>With Mitchell now off the table, the Knicks seem content with the roster they have. Having locked up Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and signing Jalen Brunson in free agency, New York will most likely go into the 2022-23 season with the current roster as it stands.</p>
<p>However, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://nypost.com/2022/09/01/jazz-trade-donovan-mitchell-to-cavaliers-as-knicks-dream-dies/?utm_source=NYPSportsTwitter&utm_medium=SocialFlow&sr_share=twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marc Berman</a> of the New York Post tweeted there could be another name the Knicks look to:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">There will be other disgruntled fish in the sea – with OKC PG Shae-Gilgeous Alexander often mentioned <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://t.co/6NQWBCOLdC">https://t.co/6NQWBCOLdC
<p>— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://twitter.com/NYPost_Berman/status/1565695909639380995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 2, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>If the Thunder are looking to move Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Knicks, as most teams in the NBA, will certainly be calling to inquire about the rising star.</p>
<h2>Here’s why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moving to The Big Apple would benefit the Knicks</h2>
<h3>1. Size in the backcourt</h3>
<p>A critique that can be made of <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/02/grading-knicks-free-agency-signing-point-guard-jalen-brunson/">the signing of Jalen Brunson</a> is that he lacks size. Standing at six-foot-one, Brunson often is a defensive liability, although he makes up for it with his offensive capabilities. Trading for Donovan Mitchell, who is also six-foot-one, would’ve given the Knicks a rather small backcourt. When you look around the NBA, most teams do possess a smaller guard, but rarely do teams have two playing next to each other.</p>
<p>Having size in the NBA matters. Just scan through the two teams that just made the NBA Finals. The Celtics rolled out a backcourt of Marcus Smart (six-foot-three) and Jaylen Brown (six-foot-six). They also picked up Malcolm Brogdon in the offseason, a six-foot-five combo guard.</p>
<p>Even with Stephen Curry being six-foot-two, the Warriors have made sure to surround him with bigger guards such as Klay Thompson (six-foot-six) and Jordan Poole (six-foot-four). Curry is also the exception to the smaller guard rule as he has proven that he can score on anyone regardless of height disadvantages.</p>
<p>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would bring New York a nice size at six-foot-six. He would help offset Brunson’s smaller frame and would give the Knicks the ability to hide Brunson on defense. SGA can help guard opposing team’s best wings and is still improving as a defender.</p>
<p>In SI’s end of the year <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/thunder-end-of-year-report-card-shai-gilgeous-alexander#gid=ci029e85cf000026ec&pid=defensively" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report card for SGA</a>, Ross Lovelace noted that SGA has the size and length to be an elite defender. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-high in steals at 1.3 per game while also almost averaging a block per game.</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/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> SGA's contract </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-132799" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1372999167.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1372999167.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1372999167-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>2. Long-term commitment</h3>
<p>If the Knicks can trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they would have the fortune of having him under contract long-term. One thing that’s always difficult for teams when making trades is not knowing if a player will stick around. Trading for a player on a short-term deal can just turn into them walking if they don’t like the situation at the end of the season.</p>
<p>SGA is signed to a five-year $179 million deal <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/thunder-end-of-year-report-card-shai-gilgeous-alexander#gid=ci029e85cf000026ec&pid=defensively" target="_blank" rel="noopener">through 2026-2027</a>, so New York could secure another long-term piece to the puzzle. As it stands, Randle and Brunson will be UFA’s in 2026, and Barrett will not be an UFA till 2027. Assuming that the Knicks could pull off a trade while keeping those four together, that’d be a really solid big four.</p>
<p>The Knicks would undoubtedly have to part with first-round picks. Measuring SGA to the trade of Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks, something in the neighborhood of three first-round picks should get the trade close to done.</p>
<p>The Knicks can either decide to take swings at players in the draft or go after a promising young star in Gilgeous-Alexander. While the former may seem more fun and exciting, the latter is more proven in terms of bringing in established talent.</p>
<p>There is a reason the Timberwolves parted ways with <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/25/knicks-blame-timberwolves-donovan-mitchell-trade-drama/">a lot of draft capital</a> in a trade for Rudy Gobert. It may feel like a lot in the moment, but when in a position to acquire a player of SGA’s skill and size, there has to be serious thought about making it happen.</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/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> How does SGA stack up against other guards? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-132807" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1361800609.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1361800609.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1361800609-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>3. Prototypical guard in today’s NBA</h3>
<p>Big athletic guards and wings are taking over the NBA. Having a player with size that can handle, slash, and pass is the norm on successful teams.</p>
<p>Looking around the NBA, there is a bunch of young talent that fits this mold. Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, Devin Booker, Scottie Barnes, and LaMelo Ball are prime examples. Even a player like Ja Morant, who plays bigger than his six-foot-three frame with his fearless ability to take the ball to the basket.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for a player that loves to take it to the basket, SGA is your guy. Here’s how SGA <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/10/3-reasons-knicks-trade-shai-gilgeous-alexander/"https://www.nba.com/stats/players/drives/?Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=DRIVE_FGM&dir=1%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">has ranked</a> in drives to the rim in the last two years.</p>
<h5>2021-2022: (56 games played)</h5>
<p><strong>A) Drives per game: </strong></p>
<p><em><strong>1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23.9)</strong></em></p>
<p>2nd: Luka Doncic (22.9)</p>
<p><strong>B) Field goals made per drive:</strong></p>
<p>1st: Ja Morant (5.7)</p>
<p><em><strong>2nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5.1)</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>C) Field goals attempted per drive:</strong></p>
<p>1st: Ja Morant (11.3)</p>
<p><em><strong>2nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10.3)</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>D) Points per game on drives:</strong></p>
<p>1st: Ja Morant (14.8)</p>
<p><strong><em>2nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13.9)</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Tied with Luka Doncic in first with 9.6 passes a game on drives.</li>
<li>Tied in 11th with most assists driving to the basket at 1.8 per game.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2020-2021: (35 games played)</strong></p>
<p><strong>A) Drives per game:</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25.2)</em></strong></p>
<p>2nd: Luka Doncic (20.3)</p>
<p><strong>B) Field goals made per drive:</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5.2)</em></strong></p>
<p>2nd: De’Aaron Fox (4.9)</p>
<p><strong>C) Field goals attempted per drive:</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9.3)</em></strong></p>
<p>2nd: De’Aaron Fox (8.7)</p>
<p><strong>D) Points per game on drives:</strong></p>
<p>1st: De’Aaron Fox (13.3)</p>
<p><strong><em>2nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13.1)</em></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Ranked first in NBA with 12.2 passes per game on drives.</li>
<li>SGA also generated the third most assists driving to the basket at 2.4 per game.</li>
</ul>
<p>Clearly being a player who likes to drive to the basket, Gilgeous-Alexander knows how to make smart decisions and find open players. With his bigger frame and athletic abilities, SGA draws two or three players on him when driving to the basket.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"><!-- minutemedia_dfp_inline__desktop__tablet -->
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<p>Knowing that he can score efficiently at the rim, defenses are forced to drop back on SGA which opens up the floor for his teammates. That 1.8 assists on drives could double if he was playing with guys like RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Jalen Brunson.</p>
<p>At 24 years old and signed to a long-term contract, the Knicks need to make a serious offer to get Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to New York, or they could end up regretting it for years to come.</p>
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