3 players Knicks should trade for not named Paul George
The New York Knicks are looking to improve on their last season and seeking a star. These three fantasy trades could be a dream come true.
The New York Knicks entered the 2022-23 season with not many expectations. After failing to live up to the expectations in the 2022 season, the Knicks were projected to win around 39 games. Many fans were upset at the Jalen Brunson signing as they thought the Knicks overpaid him on a four-year, $104 million contract.
The NBA world was wrong about the Knicks. Even though they got off to a rough start, they finished the season as the No. 5 seed with a record of 47-35, Julius Randle had a bounce-back season, but the biggest reason for their success was the play of Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks ended up beating the Cavaliers in five games in the first round but would end up losing to the No. 8 seed Miami Heat in six games in the second round. The Knicks are looking to improve on their season and here are 3 players that can help them do so.
Here are 3 players the Knicks should trade for: 3. Buddy Hield
The Knicks finished the season as the eighth-best 3-point shooting team at 35.7 percent. In the postseason the Knicks finished dead last in 3-point shooting as they shot 29.2 percent from 3 and had the second-worst field goal percent this postseason at 43.3 percent.
The Knicks lacked a consistent high-volume 3-point shooter — Julius Randle was the leader in attempts, shooting 8.3 3s per game and making 34.3 percent of them. The Knicks had just 3 players shoot above the league average from 3.
This is why they should trade for Buddy Hield. He has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the league over the last few seasons. He finished second in 3-point makes this season and ninth in 3-point shooting percent at 42.5 percent.
Hield is exactly what the Knicks need. He will provide excellent floor spacing as Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett and Julius Randle do their best work on the court when they have an open lane to the basket. Since Hield will become at best the fourth-option, he can also spend more energy on defense which he’ll definitely need to do working under Coach Tom Thibodeau.
Buddy Hield may not be the big star that Knicks fans are hoping for but he would be a massive improvement over Quentin Grimes as the starting shooting guard. In order to pull off the trade it would be centered around giving up Evan Fournier’s contract which is a big win for the Knicks.