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NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 trades to help the Knicks clear the decks

By Ian Levy

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 03: Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) before the New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game on January 03, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 03: Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) before the New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game on January 03, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 22: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets heads down court after a 2 point basket in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 22: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets heads down court after a 2 point basket in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

3. Could Malik Beasley be a piece?

The Nuggets represent one of the few plausible scenarios to leverage value from a contender that could really use Morris. Admittedly, he’d be a luxury for them, likely pushing Michael Porter Jr. deeper into the rotation. But his shooting and veteran experience off the bench could be a huge asset for the Nuggets in a playoff series. In addition, Trier could have some value as an aggressive off-the-dribble attacker in bench units. To be clear, the Nugget don’t need to do this deal and it only gives them a short-term payoff at best. In addition, trading Plumlee means having to play smaller even more, potentially using Jerami Grant or Paul Millsap at center.

For the Knicks, Beasley might be the best-case scenario in terms of realizing long-term value in a trade. He’s a 40 percent 3-point shooter with defensive potential who looked like a really important piece for the Nuggets last season. But he struggled quite a bit in the playoffs, hasn’t finished well this year and his role his shrunk. His restricted free agency is coming up and the Knicks could get a look at him in a new setting.

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