A few notes as the Knicks and Nets approach the NBA trade deadline at 3 p.m. Thursday
Many teams are still interested in trading for OG Anunoby. The Knicks are one of them.
It will take a significant number of picks/players to get Anunoby from the Raptors. The Knicks, as SNY reported, told Toronto earlier in the season that they would be comfortable sending three first-round picks for Anunoby. Members of the organization remain interested in the 25-year-old on Tuesday night.
Any team that acquires Anunoby will do so knowing they can test free will in 2024 (Anunoby has a player option in 2024 and it would be surprising if he didn’t exercise it). The teams would therefore probably have assurances that he would re-sign next summer before negotiating for him.
If the Knicks landed Anunoby, it’s fair to assume he would knock someone in the starting lineup down. The most logical move would be to slide RJ Barrett to the shooting guard.
In this scenario, Quentin Grimes would pass on the bench.
But let’s not rush. The Knicks are among many teams interested in Anunoby and it remains unclear if Toronto will move him.
WHAT ABOUT BEASLEY AND VANDERBILT?
The Knicks did their homework on Jazz players Malik Beasley And Jarred Vanderbilt. HoopsHype reported that Beasley, Vanderbilt and Obi Toppin were discussed in trade talks between the Knicks and Jazz.
The Jazz are interested in Toppin. But the Knicks’ interest in Beasley and Vanderbilt is less clear.
What we know: the interest of the two players is not unanimous. There’s a small group on the basketball side that sees both players as a fit. But others are unsure about the compatibility of either player with the current roster. Things can change from hour to hour at this time of year. But there was pessimism over a deal being struck for either player on Tuesday night.
ROUGEOIS INTEREST
As reported on The Putback, the Pistons and Nuggets have expressed interest in Reddish cam recently. The Knicks will look to move Reddish by Thursday afternoon. As we noted in our mailbag last week, the Reddish team expects it to be traded before the deadline and has no interest in the Duke product continuing to collect DNP after the deadline if not redeemed.
RAPS HIGH ON CLAXTON
The Raptors and Nets discussed potential trades as recently as Monday. They will likely continue to hit base before the deadline. Something to note: Some members of the Raptors have been adamant that Nic Claxton be included in any significant exchange with the Nets.
Claxton, of course, has been a key part of the Nets’ success this season. The club presumably see him as an important part of the future. The Raptors don’t have to trade a player like Anunoby or Pascal Siakamso they seem to have the upper hand in most trade negotiations involving these players. Fred Van Vleet is a pending free agent. The Raptors therefore probably have less weight in trade negotiations on Van Vleet.
A factor that had slowed trade negotiations on Tuesday evening? Kevin Durantuncertain status with the Nets.
Several teams said talks were impacted by Durant as many teams wait to see if the All-Star will be available through trade at the deadline. So teams are holding back on any big moves until they get some clarity on Durant.
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