NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 Conley or Gasol trades the Grizzlies have to consider

4. Willy Hernangomez, Doug McDermott, Joakim Noah, New York’s 2018 first rounder and Chicago’s 2018 second rounder to Memphis; Marc Gasol and James Ennis to New York

We are currently living in a world where the Knicks don’t owe any future first round picks to another team. Let’s make amends! In this scenario the Knicks would unload Noah’s albatross, while likely solidifying themselves within the Eastern playoff picture. Joakim Noah might be on the worst contract in the entire NBA, probably renders any deal involving him unrealistic. But attaching New York’s first and Chicago’s second, both of which should be a solid picks at worst, might entice a rebuilding Grizzlies organization. Taking a flyer on Hernangomez would also be worthwhile. He has fallen out of the crowded Knicks frontcourt rotation this year, but Willy is a talented guy that showed some flashes last year.

The Knicks could really benefit from adding both Gasol and Ennis. New York is currently fifteenth in the NBA in defensive efficiency, which is an improvement over past years! Mixing Ennis and Gasol, into the lineup would almost certainly improve that ranking. Even though Gasol has had a disappointing season on defense, he’s still worlds better than Enes Kanter on that end. Of course, there could be some awkwardness on defense as well. Kristaps Porzingis has been a terror protecting the rim this year; playing alongside Gasol might shift him toward the perimeter and away from the paint, reducing his effectiveness.

Trading for Gasol and Ennis would probably improve New York’s offense more than its defense though. One criticism of Kristaps Porzingis’s game is that he rarely ever passes or helps create for his teammates. Adding a pass-happy big like Marc Gasol could reinvigorate a New York offense that stagnates too often.  Moreover, Ennis is a 3-and-D guy that would provide stability off the bench. Lineups including some combination of him, Courtney Lee, Ntilikina and Porzingis could turn into defensive monstrosities.