zach bacharContributor IDecember 22, 2023
David Liam Kyle/NBAE through Getty Images
The New York Knicks are apparently thinking about getting Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray and Toronto Raptors defensive-minded forward OG Anunoby through trade, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
It does not appear that any trade is impending, thinking about that the Knicks’ interest in Murray is referred to as “exploratory.” That might alter as the Feb. 8 trade due date grows more detailed.
New york city has actually left to a 16-11 start this season, sufficient to put them in a tie for the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Point player Jalen Brunson is balancing a career-high 25.3 points per video game while shooting 45.8 percent from behind the arc on 6.6 efforts each night. All-NBA forward Julius Randle got better from a rough start to the season, installing 25.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per video game on 53.2 percent shooting over his previous 17 looks.
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Julius Randle (26 PTS) continued his excellent play, scoring 20+ points for the 12th-straight video game as the Knicks protected the W in Brooklyn < a href="https://t.co/JPr3XY1jlh">> pic.twitter.com/JPr3XY1jlh
They’ve progressed into among the league’s more powerful duos, although New York’s defense will require to enhance if the group wishes to go on a playoff run. Beginning center Mitchell Robinson has actually usually anchored the Knicks’ defense, although the group apparently predicts that he’ll miss out on the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to an ankle injury (by means of Shams Charania of The Athletic).
In the 6 video games given that Robinson sustained the injury, New York owns a protective ranking of 119.9 which ranks 19th amongst all NBA groups (per NBA.com). The Knicks’ front workplace might aim to obtain Murray or Anunoby to assist, who have actually both made All-Defensive groups throughout their profession.
The Raptors forward is among the very best border protectors in the association, balancing a league-leading 1.9 takes per video game last season. He’s able to utilize his speed to stick to smaller sized guards while being strong enough to handle bigger projects without getting overmatched. The Knicks have actually formerly had an interest in him, as they “made a play” to trade for him last season (through The Athletic’s Fred Katz).
While Murray isn’t as strong of a protector as Anunoby, his offending output makes him an appealing alternative to couple with Brunson in New York’s backcourt. The previous All-Star is balancing 20.0 points, 5.4 helps, and 1.5 takes per video game on 45.2 percent shooting. With the Hawks presently sitting at 12-15 after 27 video games, basic supervisor Landry Fields might move the 27-year-old and re-tool the lineup around Trae Young.
The Knicks own several first-round choices in the upcoming 2024 draft, although the front workplace might aim to package them together in order to generate a gamer that can presently assist the group.
