The New York Knicks struggle in one major category, and that is three-point percentage. The team is currently hitting 35.5% of their three balls through 26 games. They currently sit fifth in the Atlantic division and could use a boost to help them climb the ladder.
They did recently trade for veteran point guard Derrick Rose, but his influence is limited as the Knicks begin to utilize Immanuel Quickley more frequently. The expectation is that Elfrid Payton could be a trade candidate, and considering he’s on a one year deal, maximizing his value in acquiring a player or draft picks could be beneficial.
However, there is one more player that could make sense for New York, as I try to bolster their shooting from outside the perimeter.
According to Marc Berman of the NY Post, the Knicks could be a trade destination for JJ Redick:
Sources confirm Redick would prefer a trade to either the Nets or Knicks, as his family still lives in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn.
Reddick would be a solid addition for the Knicks, but at 36 years old, he doesn’t have much more juice left in his tank. He currently has the worst three-point percentage of his entire career at .347, but he’s disgruntled and desires a move away from New Orleans. With family in Brooklyn, he would feel right at home with NY and likely boost his morale back to normal levels. He’s only averaging 7.9 points per game, an anomaly considering he hasn’t dipped below 15 since 2012.
With a career .415 three-point percentage average, Redick is a more than capable shooter and would offer the team an improved presence in the category. In fact, it might give them that extra boost they need to squeak out wins, especially in close games. The Knicks recently lost to the Miami Heat in a tough contest, but injecting a couple of three-pointers into the mix would put them over the hump.
The Knicks continue to scour the market for potential trade opportunities, as good upper management does. Let’s see if they actually bite and try to acquire another player to help their cause.
“I think Leon and Wes and Scott, they’re in constant communication with all the teams in the league,†Thibodeau said. “That’s all part of this business. You talk about a number of possibilities, you look at it, the pros and cons, what it could add, but there’s a number of players that were discussed.â€