As the surging Knicks near the trade deadline, Rockets’ forward Victor Oladipo remains a target for the team, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. It was reported back in early February that New York was eyeing the 28-year-old ahead of free agency.
Oladipo has already been traded once the season, having been involved in the four-team deal that sent James Harden to Brooklyn. Set for free agency at the end of the year, Oladipo has put up his best numbers since the 2018/19 season in his time between the Pacers and Rockets. In 24 games, Oladipo is averaging 20.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 4.5 APG.
Berman notes that some people are wary of Oladipo’s physical condition, even though he is two years removed from a season-ending ruptured quad tendon back in January 2019. But, paired with first-time All-Star Julius Randle, Oladipo could give the Knicks an offensive jolt as they contend for a postseason spot.
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:
- In the same piece, Berman notes that people within the Knicks organization fear the team does not have a definitive option at point guard. Elfrid Payton has been injured and inconsistent when healthy, exciting rookie Immanuel Quickley is seen more like a sixth man, Derrick Rose has also been coming off the bench, and Frank Ntilikina only recently reentered the rotation. The Knicks have reportedly kept tabs on Hornets’ Terry Rozier and Pelicans’ Lonzo Ball.
- Despite flying back with the team after registering multiple negative COVID-19 tests following an inconclusive result, Rose sat out the Knicks‘ last game before the All-Star break on Thursday due to the health and safety protocols, Steve Popper of Newsday writes. It remains to be seen when Rose can rejoin the Knicks on the court.
- Amid his solid display in the Nets‘ last few games, NetsDaily examines whether Nicolas Claxton can help offset the loss of Jarrett Allen, who the team traded as part of the Harden deal.
Claxton had some Kevin Durant in him when I saw him before the draft, but more of at the 5/4. He has been really good for them in his short sample sizes both years
If Ntilikina is up for trade, I wouldnt mind him as an option for the Heat, although I personally wouldnt move him if I were them. Knicks also need more shooting at the 2/3 spots
You gotta be kidding. The only way that Claxton had some Kevin Durant in him is if he dropped the soap in the showers. Sorry for the crass comeback, but it was right there.
Maybe Claxton is the next KD since Bruno Caboclo clearly wasn’t.
‘If Ntilikina is up for trade’
He is and has been. A second round pick could have gotten him at any point over the last year. No one wants him, though, because he has yet to really prove he belongs in the league.
It may be showcasing at this point, being 4th string, but like Mike/Berman said there are divergent voices in the Knick FO.
Claxton can’t shoot much, but otherwise, he might be like KD. Big exception though! Dinwiddie liked his defense and sync right away last year. Should have stayed in college longer and gotten some game.
Claxton is going to be that missing piece for the Nets. Add in Blake and they are more than set
The Knicks should not trade for Oladipo if we can sign him as a free agent this summer!
For me the following holds true:
Untouchables:
Julius Randle
RJ
Quickley
Obi
Rose*because I don’t think he’s tradeable.
Tradeables:
Noel even though I would like to keep him.
Mitchell same as above.
Frank
Rivers
Payton
Burks even though I would like to keep him.
Kevin Knox
Reggie Bullock
Ignacio
Jared
Taj
Pinson
I think we can do something with those who are tradeable.
Obi is not any good, i would put him in a package in a trade. he’s got no outside shot, he’s got no post up game, ball handling is not good, his defense is not all that good. Not a good player at all. was not recruited highly out of high school, that is why he ended up at Dayton.
You clearly know nothing about him. He’s got an outside shot, his post-up game might be his greatest asset (aside from his athleticism), he’s shown nothing to indicate that his ball handling is ‘not good’, and he’s got Thibs teaching him defense. He will be fine. He’s played a grand total of 342 minutes in the league. Chill.
Agree about Obi, and preferring Rozier over Dipo. If Quickly played with Rozier he might look more like a fulltimer. It’s hard to project with Dipo, on court or off.
Nice list nbaBros… Burks is 40%3, plus9 on-off.
I pray to God Oladipo doesn’t up on the Knicks at the deadline or in the offseason. He hasn’t been a plus player since 18-19.
He’s a prime example of a guy who clearly fell off, yet still garners interest because of name recognition. Knicks would be much better off pursuing Ball, Rozier, or letting Quickley cont to develop.
Oladipo and Lonzo asking price is too high
Nobody is offering valuable assets
Cheap owners are not planning to trade future Firsts for them
No need for trades. Stay the course. If someone offers one hell of a deal for Randle, take it. Same for the rest that aren’t named RJ, Robinson, Obi, and Quickley. More picks please.
I’d like to see them move up in the draft if at all possible. They have the collateral and picks to do so. And if not, collect more picks for the upcoming draft. Low cap, young, and perhaps 6-7 deep to continue progress while they add a FA or two.
And if there’s a player I’d love to see the Knicks go after, it’s Hunter on the Hawks. Loved his game in college, and loving it in the NBA. Hawks have a log jam at F, and the Knicks have picks to move for him. He’s be a perfect compliment at SF with RJ at SG and Toppin at PF. His D along with Robinson would be outstanding.
Agreed Hunter may be better than RJ. Wonder what it would take to pry him away, Atlanta has a lotta wings … although Gallo has been underwhelming and Bogdo is hurt
I worry about leg injuries as Hunter picks up his activity level. There was talk of him playing the 2 which may backfire if it hasn’t. Not sure how he got injured but earlier, he was around halfcourt going for the ball & got bumped; and I don’t like his wavering eurostep clarity, which can stress joints… He best stay upright, unsurprised. Not a doc though.
link to m.youtube.com 2019
I agree I’d rather wait for Oladipo to become a FA and see more of him. Always liked Ball cause if his D and pass first mentality. But this yr he’s has lost me. We don’t need a head case. Who is concerned about his money. Especially in NY cause too many distractions here. Keep that family away from us please. I like Rozier but the way he is playing. I don’t see Char moving him now. Knicks need a traditional PG for this team. Payton to me is a solid backup, been saying it for yrs. I’m a Dinwiddie guy, I sign him before Oladipo. Knicks can move Payton, Rivers now and get a good look at Nttilikina. He is as good if not better than Payton. Then get value for him next yr.
This will always be the problem in NY. Always the pressure to win now. You don’t rebuild and win now. Like you reach .500 ahead of schedule. So now we want to be a contender. This is the pit fall we fall into since the Ewing days. Rebuilding takes time n work. It’s been 31 freakin gms. We got 3 of top 32 picks in next draft. Build the core and get ready for next yr. Be smart Thibs, don’t take the bait.
Oladipo is not the answer this year or next. Take a look at his adv stats since 19, not good. Just watching him you can see he doesn’t have the same burst
We got the rest of yr to watch him. He’s worth monitoring if healthy I would take a chance on him. Would not overpay. He’s been hurt past two yrs plus. That’s the whole point. He’s worth monitoring not trading for. We can wait and see who else will be available.
Claxton is solid big off bench for Nets. But they want to win now. So will not count on a young unproven player. Makes sense to add on if you can. They need help on D and bigs. When you have a real shot. You have to go for it. They get Drummond it’s over.
I don’t believe that, at this point, VO is still a target (if he ever was). He’d be a costly, high maintenance rental, who is a poor fit chemistry-wise with Barrett (unless the league is getting rid of the 3 pt shot). An odd target. Since Rose hasn’t done anything stupid yet, and Berman routinely suggests them, I’m going to assume this originated with the latter. Perhaps a distinction between a guy being a target and being monitored was lost by the guy between scoops of ice cream.
Oladipo would obviously prefer being traded to an actual contender.
No one is giving up much for a guy who might be healthy. Who wants to get paid. Rockets at this point probably better off getting him right and go for sign n trade. Or let him walk. You can sign a young rotation player with the cap space.