New York Knicks rumors: Knicks trying to deal Pablo Prigioni, Wayne Ellington
The New York Knicks have been busy this summer.
More from NBA
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- NBA insider explains real reason the Grizzlies were done with Dillon Brooks
- Knicks projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
The Knicks’ only real goal entering the offseason was to re-sign star forward Carmelo Anthony. Although he flirted with the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers and admittedly nearly joined the Bulls and Lakers, he wound up inking a five-year deal to remain in New York. The Knicks also made a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks just before the draft. They dealt center Tyson Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton to the Mavericks for point guard Jose Calderón, center Samuel Dalembert, swingman Wayne Ellington, point guard Shane Larkin and two second round picks, the 34th and 51st-overall selections of June’s draft, which were used on former Wichita State Shockers’ swingman Cleanthony Early and Greek swingman Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
The Knicks also wanted to deal big men Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani but because they are expiring contracts, they decided to hold onto them for one more season.
However, it does look like the Knicks are trying to deal two other players. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Knicks are shopping Ellington and are willing to attach point guard Pablo Prigioni in a trade to get a deal done.
How 'bout a Knicks rumble? I'm told they're trying to find a new home for Pablo Prigioni as well as Wayne Ellington to create roster room
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 6, 2014
Attempts to move Ellington solo have been unsuccessful, so Knicks said to be weighing prospect of attaching Prigioni to deal as a catalyst
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 6, 2014
NOT a case of Knicks not liking Prigioni. It's more NYK being unable to move Ellington unless they attach likes of Prigioni or Shane Larkin
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 6, 2014
As Stein points out, the Knicks prefer to keep Prigioni but if they can open a roster spot for a player they need, a deal makes sense.
Prigioni, 37, averaged 3.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 46.1% from the field, 46.4% from three and 91.7% from the free throw line in 66 games for the Knicks last season. Ellington, 26, put up 3.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in just 8.7 minutes per game. He appeared in 45 games and shot 43.7% from the floor, 42.4% from beyond the arc and 90.9% from the charity stripe.