The Knicks weren’t willing to part with a major portion of their draft assets to land Donovan Mitchell, but Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be worth the gamble, writes Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post. New York fans will get to see the talented guard in person Sunday afternoon when Oklahoma City comes to Madison Square Garden.
Although SGA has often said that he prefers to remain with the Thunder — and repeated that sentiment Friday night — his trade value might be too tempting for a franchise that’s still in the rebuilding stage. Through 11 games, Gilgeous-Alexander ranks sixth in the league in scoring at 30.5 PPG and he’s averaging 4.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.0 steals as well.
Gilgeous-Alexander would fit the Knicks’ fascination with Kentucky players, and Sanchez states that team scouts saw plenty of him in college before New York took his teammate, Kevin Knox, with the No. 9 pick in 2018. SGA also has a connection with RJ Barrett as they’re set to join forces for Team Canada at the 2024 Olympics.
Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti has been willing to trade away stars in the past, and if he decides to move Gilgeous-Alexander in exchange for draft picks, New York is in a strong position to make the best offer, Sanchez contends.
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Jalen Brunson believes Barrett has All-Star potential, per Ian O’Connor of The New York Post. “I think he can be a very impactful player, I think he can lead a franchise, and that’s what he was picked here to do,” Brunson told reporters Friday after Barrett’s 30-point outburst in a win over the Pistons. “He can do it. I have the utmost faith in him. He works very hard. He has a great demeanor about how he plays. You never see when he’s frustrated, you never see when he’s having the game of his life. … It shows he’s not afraid of the moment, not afraid of anything. He’s capable of doing a lot of big things.”
- Former Knicks guard Kemba Walker is being patient as he waits for a chance to return to the NBA, relays Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Appearing this week on a podcast with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Walker explained what went wrong after he signed with New York last summer. “When the opportunity came about, I was über-excited,” he said. “But unfortunately, it just didn’t work out for me. Individually, I didn’t really fit the system and what those guys were trying to do over there. It just wasn’t for me.”
- Because the Knicks don’t have a true first option to lead their offense, they have to rely on effort and hard work more than other teams around the league, notes Steve Popper of Newsday. When that’s not present, like in Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Nets, the results can be embarrassing.
If Knicks fans manage to get their hopes up about Shai leaving OKC to come to NYC it just shows (yet again) that being delusional is their fanbase’s main character trait
“being delusional is their fanbase’s main character trait”
Almost every single Knicks fan will tell you that the team is trash and will never win anything as long as Dolan is running the show. You Knicks trolls make absolutely no sense to me. *We already know the team is bad*. We’ve been watching for decades.
People like you make the mistake of taking garbage articles written by NYC media hacks (like Marc Berman) and ascribing their trade/free agency proposals to the actual fans. None of us believe any of this garbage.
Delusional is how to describe them. Especially those who still think they’re going anywhere with this current team. Or getting any stars any time soon. Last big time guy they got was Melo 10 years ago. And where’d that lead them? Before that was the finals run 23 years ago. But Mitchell wasn’t good enough for them apparently
NY media only plays to fans love of Knicks. Everyone is always coming to Knicks. Real fans know where we are. And it’s yr three of Rose and Thibs reign. Yes Dolan has always been the biggest obstacle. But he’s stayed away from this group. So you have to like that. Cause otherwise Mitchell would be a Knick. And we wouldn’t have any picks left.
If the Thunder trade Shai to the Knicks, he’s definitely coming right? Lol.
SGA really doesn’t have a say if he’s traded to the Knicks. So that’s an odd stance to take
Articles like this are absolutely trash and a waste of time.
He ain’t leaving okc. Sorry knicks fans, dream on. Also you don’t have the assets to get him if you wanted him. (Look what Utah got for Mitchell. That’s about what SGA would cost and you don’t have that to part with without your team being weakened considerably.). Okc wouldn’t want your late draft picks if you got SGA. (First rounders mean crap if they’re in the 20s or higher)
This whole article was absolute garbage. Why not write one about the knocks getting Joel Embiid or Steph Curry. That also would be good to read.
Wrong. The Knicks have more assets than any team after OKC. Plus Every time the Knicks trade an unprotected pick, it’s guaranteed to be in the lottery.
Knicks have had plenty of assets in recent times and what have they don’t with it?
You’re only one of plenty assets on this board ….
Utah has more trade assets than NYC. They have 1st picks and valuable vets. Most of the Knicks picks are heavily protected and will likely convey into 2nd rounders.
@andremets, Knicks don’t have more assets than Utah, warriors, Orlando, Spurs, Rockets, Pistons, Pels etc. they all have better pick/young player assets. And I’m sure there are a fair few I’m missing.
Alls Knicks have are a couple young players, then multiple negative trade assets like Fournier and Randle(a couple good games don’t change he’s not worth is contact).
Outside of RJ Knicks have nothing, but they’ll still push and finish play in at best, with a late teens pick and complain about it. Tank or make moves, don’t half ass it and go for a slightly above average guard in Bruson.
Unless the Thunder trade Shai to the Knicks, right?
SGA doesn’t have a say if he’s traded.
He may not, but OKC do. What are Knicks realistically going to be able to offer an under 25 guard playing top 5 in the league RN?
Instead of writes Mark W. Sanchez, it should say wishes.
how many guards do the knicks want?
About tree fiddy.
They’ve got plenty of guards who don’t play much
SGA… ranks 6th in the league at 30.5 ppg….
Sheesh What would Jordan average in today’s NBA?
Not necessarily today at 60 years old, but in his prime….
My guess would be in the 23-27 ppg range unless he adapted. Jordan didn’t have much of an outside jumper and the wings in today’s game that would be defending him are much more athletic. His will, grit and determination would get him to the mid 20’s though.
Jordan didn’t have much of an outside jumper????? Are you kidding me???? Michael Jordan was a jump shooter for the last three Chicago Bulls titles. All the dunking went out the window early in his career. Jordan averaged 38 ppg on jump shots. Jordan had spots on the floor where he could nail ALL of jumpers that was unguardable.
Jordan also played in an era that did NOT cater to offensive players. Opposing guards could get physical with both hands and body. If you drove the lane, you hit the floor. Your body could not sustain years of the pounding you took. You HAD to alter your game. That was part of the greatness of Jordan. He altered his game to an elite level as a jump shooter.
Clearly, you only have seen Michael Jordan highlights, and not the actual games he played in.
MJ worked on his shooting. It became a weapon later on in his career. Like his passing and being a play maker. Testament to his greatness. Like Curry tightening his handle and playing better D. Great players always find ways to improve.
@tacocat1331 – The NBA has DRASTICALLY altered the rules over the years to generate more offense. In the process, the offensive stats that you see from many current players is a product of these rule changes. LeBron, Kevin Durant, etc. that translates to any era.
I almost just clicked out when I saw the comment above that said Jordan didn’t have a jumper. Wow lol. Most of his most iconic buckets were jumpshots – even back to college.
Yes, LeBron and Durant (McAdoo) would score and be great in ANY era. But Jordan in THIS era??? An era where Kobe can score 60 in his LAST game?? My goodness. Jordan would literally score however many he wanted to.
Btw… it would take waaaay more than mere athleticism to guard that man. He’s as athletic as they come – and more skilled than any “athletic wing” today. SGA is having his way with these athletic wings lol
I’m pretty sure Jordan is a notch or eight better than SGA.
Regardless of what Gordon Hayward says the Jazz let Kobe score 60 points in his last game. It took him 50 shot attempts to do so.
I honestly cried the 2nd time Jordan retired. I’m 46 so I watched a lot of games in which Jordan played in, more than most in fact and I saw them WHEN he played them.
I said Jordan didn’t have an outside jumper, in fact he purposely avoided developing that part of his game. He claimed it took away from his ability to get to the hole. The 90’s didn’t have anyone that played defense like Leonard, George, James or even Durant. The 2nd best SG of Jordan’s era was Reggie Miller. The best defensive wing? That was his teammate Scottie Pippen. Jordan was great, in fact one of the top 3 players of any era but in today’s game playing guard is all about 3s and layups. In today’s game Jordan would be a better version of DeRozan.
@tacocat – Rule changes have created many of these “top” offensive guys you see today. Again, LeBron, Durant, Luka, Giannis, etc. That translates to any era.
Trae Young is an example of a player who wouldn’t exist if not for rule changes. “Bigs” have been taken out of the paint. True post players of yesterday have been eliminated. Eliminating bigs inside creates clear driving lanes and space for offensive players. Defenders are no longer allowed to make contact while guarding. Opposing “old school” guards like Derek Harper were strong enough to control opposing offensive guards with physical contact.
Rule changes have been done to generate more offense with the expectation that it will lead to higher television ratings and more advertising dollars for ESPN, which has paid untold billions to broadcast the games.
@tacocat – 90’s didn’t have guys who played defense like Leonard, Paul George or LeBron????
Have you heard of Dennis Rodman??? He spent his career guarding the biggest of bigs and wings like Scottie Pippen at an equally elite level.
How about Dikembe Mutombo??? Do you want to talk about Rim Protection????
How about Hakeem Olajuwon???? Nothing was happening inside.
Have you heard of Gary Payton??? “The Glove”! His kid is a good defensive player. Pops was Great!!
Yes, Scottie Pippen was an elite, multi-position defender.
Ben Wallace in his prime with the Pistons was nothing that anyone wanted to deal with in the paint!
You won’t get an argument with me on Reggie Miller. One of the most underrated players in league history. An absolutely lethal shooter! Absolutely at his best in the clutch! Reggie and Pacers took the Bulls to Game 7 in Eastern Conference Finals. That Pacers team was easily the stiffest competition the Bulls faced in ANY of their 6 title runs.
Knicks bro ……
@ Tacocat
LMAO
At 60 yes he would average that
No hand checking and soft big men jordan is going for 40 a night easy. Even if he never develops his 3 (which he would)
No hand checking? Softer fouls in the paint. 40-45 a game
SGA is a nice talent. But he’s a Thunder so his stats are going to be padded. Why wouldn’t you want him on this Knicks team. He’s just not my first choice. We have all our assets. And I know a trade is coming. Probably be after Jan 15. By the way the season is going so far. I believe we will have a few options for a trade.
Dying to see Grimes play. Hope he’s getting closer.
Cause he just destroyed your knicks team and is better than any player you have on the team. But you’re still not getting him because you have nothing that OKC wants that would be better than SGA.
“Because the Knicks don’t have a true first option to lead their offense, they have to rely on effort and hard work more than other teams around the league, notes Steve Popper of Newsday.”
Now this is a man who never played ball. Or hasn’t a true understanding of the game. Sounds like the many geniuses who love to troll the Knicks.
First off in a true offense. There is no first option. This ain’t the NFL. It’s the flow of the offense that dictates the shot. Yes sometimes you exploit miss matches. That’s not a first option. Basketball is about understanding their defense. That’s what you are attacking. Only in iso ball or a close out situation. Do you have a first option and a need for a true star. To take over the gm. I’d say Randle, RJ, Jalen all do that now. But here yes I’d agree. It would be nice to have a Beal or Mitchell. But a team who just started its third yr of a rebuild. I believe still has time to find that player or trade for that player.
This is a perfect example. Of the constant meddling and abuse the Knicks get. From a media that only wants readership. And unfortunately usually affects Dolan our owner.
Shai killed the Knicks today. No Mitch no D it seems like. Knicks lost and gave up 145 pts to Thunder. At the Garden …… embarrassing lols
The Knucks need a young dynamic GM otherwise they will languish in mediocrity and continue to get outmaneuvered by opposing GMs. In addition clearly Thibs is not a rebuilding Coach and…
This is a rebuilding team, the problem is their young core’s just not that good due to their insistence on trading back in the Draft. Good teams trade back in the Draft, bad teams trade up memo to Leon Rose.Is the problem that they think they are better than they actually are?