The Knicks and Jazz have engaged in some exploratory conversations about a possible trade that would send wing Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt to New York, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
According to Scotto, the proposed deal would see Evan Fournier, Obi Toppin, and draft capital going to Utah.
As Scotto details, the specific draft assets going from the Knicks to the Jazz presumably represent the sticking point in the talks between the two teams. Utah has reportedly sought a first-round pick for Beasley and one for Vanderbilt as well.
Given that Fournier’s contract, which includes an $18.9MM guaranteed salary for 2023/24, is viewed as a negative asset, the Jazz may want another first-round pick for taking on that deal rather than simply considering him the salary-matching piece for Beasley. On the other hand, Toppin – the eighth overall pick in 2020 – should have positive value and could perhaps take the place of one of the first-rounders Utah is seeking, Scotto notes.
Of course, even if the Knicks and Jazz could agree on the number of first-round picks that would accompany Fournier and Toppin to Utah, the two teams may not see eye to eye on how those picks are protected.
New York controls several protected first-rounders from other teams, including Dallas’ 2023 pick (top-10 protected), Washington’s 2023 pick (top-14 protected), Detroit’s 2023 pick (top-18 protected), and Milwaukee’s 2025 pick (top-four protected). Of those selections, only Milwaukee’s has a chance to ultimately land in the top eight. The Knicks also have the ability to add protections to their own first-rounders if they’re willing to trade one or more of them.
However, CEO Danny Ainge made it a priority to stockpile unprotected first-round selections in his offseason trades involving Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell. Beasley and Vanderbilt don’t carry the same value as those two All-Stars, so Ainge won’t have as much leverage in this instance, but he’ll still be pushing to make the protections as light as possible on any pick he acquires.
Current Knicks executive Gersson Rosas signed both Beasley and Vanderbilt to their current contracts when he was the head of basketball operations in Minnesota. Led by president of basketball operations Leon Rose, New York had interest in Beasley before he re-signed with the Wolves in 2020, Scotto writes.
Beasley has reportedly drawn interest this season from teams like Cleveland, Atlanta, Phoenix and New Orleans in addition to New York.
As for Vanderbilt, Scotto has heard that the Pacers have interest in the fifth-year forward, previously named the Suns as a possible suitor, and confirms that the Trail Blazers are in the mix as well. Forward Nassir Little is a player to watch if Portland gets involved in trade talks with Utah, Scotto adds.
Knicks are a bad trader
Knicks need major changes
Ainge wanted to send Donovan Mitchell to Knicks in July 2022
Knicks are about to make bad trades, turn food trades into bad trade
It’s time
Thanks for Lauri *(whoever runs new york fo
He didn’t want to send him to NY in July, the Knicks showed interest in trading for him. Ainge could care less which team he ultimately ended up with, he wanted best value in the trade.
Mitchell also wanted to go home, so of course Ainge was going to try to accommodate him by discussing him with the Knicks. Ainge ultimately would have dealt him to Virtus Bologna of the Italian league if it was the best return.
My prediction:
3 Firsts are
1 Knicks first round pick (top 5 protected)
Milwaukee’s 2025 pick (top-four protected Detroit’s 2023 pick (top-18 protected)
The trade value of Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt is all time high
Fournier trade value is all-time low.
Zero chance there’s more than 2 firsts in that trade. Those guys aren’t top three players on a contending team. Cmon now.
A lot of “Fake Firsts” in the former deal.
Fake “rest management” below
Spencer Dinwiddie, who has been involved in Kyrie Irving trade rumors, is questionable for tonight’s contest due to what the Mavs are calling “rest management.”
This seems a bit overboard. Beasley is nothing special and while Vanderbilt is a nice asset, there’s no reason to trade three 1sts to get him and dump Fournier. Even if the 1sts are mid range at best.
Fournier is an expiring deal next season. His value is not as negative as it looks. Especially for a team like Utah who would, unlike Thibs, actually play Fournier.
Actually giving playing time Fournier would definitely show the rest of the league that Utah actually is serious about tanking.
@Tacocat: I agree somewhat. I don’t think Fournier has much value as an actual basketball player but he is a better player than he’s been this year. With regular playing time, he would probably be back to his usual 38-40% 3PT%, which does still have some value in the league.
I thought that too. But I am intrigued by Beasley. I didn’t realize how efficient of a scored he is. Almost a .500 career FG%. Plus, he’s had years of 20 and 19 a game while near .500 FG. That’s impressive.
My only problem is that this deal is like 60% of what it would have taken to land Mitchell. So why didn’t we just get him? Beasley and Vanderbilt are nice pieces, but they’re only pieces.
Yes, Beasley and Vanderbilt are nice pieces, but they’re only pieces.
I said it at the very beginning, Knicks need major changes.
You have a good point, but
“value” means all the things that can’t be quantified in the price tag, for you to directly compare prices may have unintended effects
Toppin or Collins?
Id rather an heir to Michael Conley Jr.. so draft picks. give us more draft picks
Lots of options and possibilities. Always a fun time of year. May the best offer win! =)
I love Obi, and really think he can be a nice player in this league. But i got face that this isn’t happening in NY. Randle will be our starter PF for the forseeable future. Kid needs to go away in order to be a starter. And Vando and Beasley is solid return with nice contracts
I agree that with a change of scenery Toppin could thrive. For whatever reason (likely defence), Thibs won’t put the two of him and Randle together in the starting lineup with Robinson out. Not saying it would work, but it would give the Knicks a better idea as to what Toppin could offer against other team’s starting lineups to get a true long term value in his play.
@greg1: I’ve been hoping for that move for a couple of years now. Move RJ to SG and play Toppin at SF. Doesn’t appear like it will ever happen, unfortunately.
FYI
Suns offer 1 First for Beasley, rumors
The Pacers should get Vandy to play the 4 spot and move Nesmith to the 3.
Or get Toppin
Knicks should trade Randle, but not at a deadline trade. Fournier is immovable. Unfortunately, along with Reddish, everyone was able to see how pitiful those two are, but Reddish still has a crack in the door of hope open for him because of his age, and minutes played. Moving Fournier costs New York too much when they have assets coming in 2025, and still are a minimal draw in free agency up to this point. They needed more lottery seasons before trying to win games, and barely squeak into the playoffs. Bad FO model if rebuilding at this point wasn’t part of the plan still
Knicks have plenty of draft capital. They should get this one done. Beasley gives improves your perimeter and 3-pt shooting greatly over R.J. Barrett. Vanderbilt is a versatile guy who can play the 3 and the 4. Won’t score, but will board and defend. Best suited as a valued rotation guy on a good team.
Vanderbilt would fit. He’s a one position PF, so at best he’d get the backup minutes at PF behind Randle that Toppin now has. Less upside than Toppin, but he better defender/rebounder. Good contract. Still, a 1st (protected or not) is steep.
Beasley would not fit. He’s been a minus defender (or worse) since coming into the league, and nothing in the numbers has changed. Good athlete, good shooter, but nothing special on either front. Whatever minutes he might earn can be handled by Fournier, who, at least career-wise, is a better player.
Reports of Knick trade discussions rarely have any credibility, and almost always come from other teams. I don’t know Scotto’s history, but this has the look of nonsense.
Jazz trade for kyrie and Vanderbilt stays as a cog in a playoff push! I can see kyrie actually falling in love with Utah. The fans would adore him and the management is solid.
#FreeObi
Also some #ShouldaBeenHali
Obi is a 4 and only a 4.
Gotta face it. The way Randle is playing. There is no need to carry Obi1. I like Vanderbilt want no part of Beasley. And I rather have Bey over these two…….
DeRozan to the >>>> Knicks …..
I really want the Knicks to push for Derozan but I don’t think the Bulls will ship him out. A few 1sts, Obi, and Rose’s expiring deal (and whatever salary filler) should be enough to get it done considering Derozan only has a year and a half left on his deal. But I don’t think the Bulls would do it. Brunson, RJ, Derozan, Randle, and Mitch/Hart would be a good starting lineup.
I agree with you and Al DeMar DeRozan would make us a dangerous team with his lethal mid range game. But Knicks fans let’s stop gassing us up with this RJ Barrett crap. RJ Barrett is not that dude and he has regressed so bad he is looking like a waste of a third round pick. His game is just bully ball ,he has no mid range or three point shot ,and he has turned into one of the Knicks worse defenders. If I was the coach and not this enept stubborn coach Thibs I would insert IQ in the starting lineup over RJ because IQ is turning into a dynamic two way player that RJ was suppose to be.
He’s the closer we lack. And a better scorer than anyone we have. Plus he plays D. And fits right in at the 2.
I agree Robinson, Randle, RJ, DeRozan, Brunson is a solid 5 to compete for East. Plus we have depth. hate to give up on Obi. But the way Randle is playing. I think we have to. Getting Vanderbilt would just make it great.
Hm not long ago as I recall you insisted the only solution was to dump Randle…
Knicks are gonna Knick. What a horrible idea for a trade, across the board. Never going to learn until a Dolan or two dies.
Imo Thibs hasn’t used Fournier right. And he’s not helping him play D either. Which seems to be the thorn in their relationship. Fournier is a 20 point scorer who can shoot. In That Order. He can definitely help a contender. Suns would be wise to pick him up cheap.
Knicks are trading just to trade and say they tried to get better.
Really just want to see the Jazz go for it and try to win