NFL
The real drama has begun. With the NBA trade deadline vastly approaching, the rumor mill is starting to kick into overdrive. It has been reported that the Golden State Warriors are looking to avoid a huge luxury tax bill by trading D’Angelo Russell. And one of the teams on the list is the New York Knicks.
While this may confuse some fans, this is a blessing in disguise for the Knicks and the Warriors. On the Knicks’ side of things, it gives them a bonafide star and all they will lose is an unprotected pick and Mitchell Robinson. However, that unprotected pick could prove to be huge depending on the year of the pick.
With the Knicks and the Warriors both struggling, if said deal were to go through, the Warriors could end up with two of the top five picks in the 2020 NBA Draft. And with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both expected back next season, they could easily form a new dynasty.
The Knicks have interest in trading for D’Angelo Russell, sources tell @IanBegley.
Bobby Portis and Frank Ntilikina could be heading to Golden State https://t.co/CTE8L87afj pic.twitter.com/ITJPD4lods
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 3, 2020
Back in NYC, there are no Slash Brothers or a do-it-all PF in Draymond Green to fall back on. What the Knicks have are tradeable assets and hope. With Russell, the Knicks can begin the rebuilding phase with Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and see what Bobby Portis could do if given starter minutes. To be fair, it’s a win-win for both teams.
Russell has shown that he can compete in the NBA after guiding the Brooklyn Nets to the playoffs last season when no one expected them to make any noise, And this season, he’s averaging 23.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists for the Warriors. The All-Star guard is also shooting 43.3 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 78.0 percent from the free-throw line. Let’s face it, the Knicks need this type of star power bad.
While Robinson is young, he’s been up and down this year. On the season, he’s averaging 9.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game. But are the New York Knicks willing to eat that $117M contract Russell just signed this offseason? The simple answer to that should be yes. This is what the Knicks have been waiting for. They need a player to lead them and one that can persuade others to join him at MSG.
This is a move the New York Knicks cannot afford to let slip through their fingers as they did last summer with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. If D’Angelo Russell is indeed on the table, it’s time to seal the deal.
