New York Knick Trade Musings; Deadline 6 days away

When it comes to the playoffs, there are contenders and pretenders.  Some teams are just happy to be there.  It stimulates some cash flow and fan interest but there's not a glimmer of real hope that the team is going anywhere beyond the first round.  Brooklyn, Charlotte, Phoenix, and a few others are making that noise.

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Chicago, however, is playing to win it all.  For Thibodeau whose legacy so far has been that he can deliver wins and a playoff round or two is under increasing pressure to deliver rings.  If not this year, when?  Chicago has had its share of injuries and its bench is weak.  Before the trade deadline they need to shore up their depth in more than one place and the cupboard is relatively bare.  They don't need starters but they do need bench.

Nikola Mirotic has been a disappointment and represents a weak link.  One has to wonder whether or not Chicago might entertain a swap of Mirotic and say, Nazr Mohammed for a combination of Shane Larkin, Jason Smith, and Quincy Acy.  The trade gives Thibodeau bench strength he currently doesn't enjoy.  These are generally speaking high-energy, young and hungry second-stringers who could propel Chicago farther than a first or second round elimination. There's no long term commitment and to a large extent this would be a win now impulse - Chicago still would have their #1 pick to replace Mirotic this summer.

Mirotic is a project and a risk whose long-term upside suits the Knicks rebuilding plans,  Nazr can play out the year backing Amundson and Aldrich.  Mirotic is signed longer term so this would represent an early building block going forward.

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Phoenix is looking to transform it's roster as well.  It is doubtful that the Knicks have any interest in Isiah Thomas the point guard Phoenix is looking to move. But Phoenix, very much like the Knicks is a team of spare parts with Phoenix closer to winning something than the Knicks.

Alex Len, Archie Goodwin, and Reggie Bullock fit a development team like the Knicks better than Phoenix who are on the cusp of playing to win (if that's a true objective).  Len, Goodwin, and Bullock for Jason Smith, Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Travis Wear works financially and gives Phoenix a streak shooter and an experienced backup Center/PF option, and Wear a young/long SF prospect.

For the Knicks, they take a chance on some longer term prospects, one of which (Bullock) has been enigmatic in Phoenix.  These players do eat a small amount of cap space.

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Early in January I speculated about a potential Portland deal.  Thomas Robinson seems destined to be traded.  Portland, like some other teams mentioned should be looking for bench depth.

Prigioni and Jason Smith for Robinson and Barton is workable and has some pragmatism for Portland.

Whether or not NY wants to roll the dice on Thomas is another issue.

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The most ambitious team and stealthy out there is Milwaukee.  They're a dark horse candidate to win it all.  Jason Kidd has both the ego and brass balls required to make a serious run at all the favorites.

Would Milwaukee consider a jared Dudley, Damien Inglis, and a second-rounder for Jason Smith, THJ and Acy swap?

Dudley is a weak link in Milwaukee - THJ can be a more explosive scorer.  Milwaukee adds real depth.

For the Knicks Inglis is the prize rook, the second-rounder desirable with Dudley being the cost of doing business?