As we all know, the New York Knicks need a point guard. There are plenty of rumors about trading for Chris Paul and the possibility of drafting a point guard. However, is there a better option?
Instead of the Knicks trading for Chris Paul, who arguably has one the worst contracts in the NBA, they should consider their options.  Paul still has two years left on his deal and getting 80+ million. Not to mention Paul is an aging point guard despite having a very good season. Plus, the Knicks shouldn’t be thinking about giving up young assets, and most likely picks, for a 34-year-old point guard.
Who the Knicks should really target is Fred Van Vleet, 26-years old, from Toronto.
Some may think that offering Van Vleet max money will be a ‘trap contract’. He’s playing very well for the Raptors but once he gets paid, he’s play could decline. In New York, playing for the Knicks, that’s definitely possible. We’ve seen it before.
Some team out there, maybe the Knicks, is going to offer Van Vleet a lot of money, possibly max money. He’s a scrappy style of play forces turnovers and has that underdog story that everyone loves. Van Vleet is quick, can score and has a defensive mindset.
Van Vleet best season was 2018-19 really stepping up his game in the NBA finals. The Raptors probably don’t win the title without him, and he came back from that championship run an even better player. Sure, we all wish he was a little taller but he has the determination and drive to win. As of right now, he’s better than any other point guard the Knicks have on their roster. He’s averaging 17.6 points, 6.6 assists and 1.9 steals this season.
While people in the Knicks organization think Paul can change the culture of the team, it’s best to stay away. The Knicks have been down that path too many times. Trying to take on big contracts for a quick fix. It doesn’t work.
Why this wasn’t the best breakdown of Van Vleet or Paul, it’s really simply. If the New York Knicks are going to trade for or sign a point guard, fans would rather them go younger than older, with a very expensive contract.