NBA Trade Rumors: 5 deals Knicks need to make
By Tom West
Pau Gasol
Why not look at something really interesting for the final Knicks trade target? Pau Gasol, an All-Star last season with 18.5 points, a career-high 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, could make a serious difference in New York.
With Porzingis to build around for the future, the addition of Robin Lopez this summer, and bench players like Derrick Williams, Kyle O’Quinn and Kevin Seraphin, you can argue that the Knicks don’t need a new frontcourt player. That may be right, but to carry out a real upgrade while giving the team several other benefits, targeting Gasol makes sense if they want to go for something big.
Also, to help out the Knicks if they wish to do so, the Chicago Bulls need to empty out their frontcourt. Trade rumors have been surrounding them for quite a while now, and it’s no secret that they’re interested in moving Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, or even Gasol if the price is right. Not to mention, as Gasol has made it clear that he’ll most likely use his player option to leave the Bulls and test free agency this summer, it makes even more sense for Chicago to try to get something in return for him now.
As Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times reported back on December 23, there are more murmurs that Gasol is done with the Bulls and that the team are taking trade calls about him:
"Gasol has a player option at the end of this season, and there continues to be more whispers that he’s done with the Bulls experiment, while Joakim Noah, Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks each come off the books when this season comes to an end. Rose and Taj Gibson are free agents after next season, while the Bulls own the $5.175 million option on Mike Dunleavy for the 2017-18 season. The likes of Gibson, Noah and Gasol might not even see the end of their current contracts, as several sources indicated that the Bulls are taking calls on all three players as the trade deadline draws near."
As Adrian Wojnarowski has added on one of his podcasts (The Vertical), they are willing to move one of the three big men in exchange for a quality wing player:
"Executives around the league, and people have told me, that the Bulls are very determined to add a talented wing player… and I’ve been told that the Bulls are open to…whether it’s Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson…maybe not both of them, but either of them if there’s a deal out there that they can bring in the best possible wing player available, they’re open to it… They need more shooting."
No, Woj didn’t mention Gasol there, but he certainly isn’t out of the equation. At the very least, they don’t want to lose him for nothing when free agency hits.
As for the Knicks use for Gasol, he could be an excellent frontcourt partner alongside Porzingis, and an upgrade over Lopez thanks to his far superior scoring ability and rebounding. Gasol’s defense has declined and he’s little help away from the basket or defending quick pick-and-rolls, yet he still offers some rim protection. Besides, New York won’t get Gasol’s offensive skill set or passing from anyone else they have right now.
He could also add some real diversity and interior play to the Knicks’ offense, who currently rank dead last in points in the paint per game with 35.3 (per TeamRankings.com). Furthermore, he’s a former teammate of head coach Derek Fisher and he could serve as a tutor to Porzingis, to help him develop his footwork, passing and post skill even further.
The Knicks just so happen to have the kind of wing that may interest the Bulls, which, of course, is Arron Afflalo. He won’t be given up easily by any means, as he’s been a starter for all his games in New York and his 13.5 points per game and 35.8 percent three-point shooting are valuable.
That being said, he isn’t irreplaceable production wise, and the presence of Gasol could make a real difference to a team that rely heavily on jump shooting.
Maybe if the Knicks go all-out to package Afflalo with a one of their many guards, they can get their hands on Gasol. It will leave some work to organise the rest of the frontcourt minutes, but Gasol’s scoring, passing, rebounding, and veteran experience could really make a difference.
Even though it’s quite hard to see this deal happening, it’s seriously worth the Knicks’ attention if they’re feeling adventurous.