Knicks, Nets trade deadline notes including latest on OG Anunoby
A few notes as the Knicks and Nets near the 3 p.m. NBA close on 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. As reported by SNY, the Knicks Toronto said earlier in the season that they would like to send three first-round picks for Anunoby. Members of the organization remained interested in the 25-year-old until late Tuesday evening.
Any team that acquires Anunoby will do so knowing they can test the free hand in 2024 (Anunoby has a player option in 2024 and it would be surprising if he didn’t exercise it). So teams would presumably have some reassurances that he would re-sign next summer before trading for him.
If the Knicks landed Anunoby, it’s safe to assume he’d hit someone on the starting lineup. The most logical step would be gliding RJ Barrett to the rifle guard.
In this scenario Quentin Grimes would switch to the bank.
But let’s not anticipate. 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 some homework on jazz players Malik Beasley And Jared 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 do know: The interest in both players is not uniform. There is a small group on the basketball side that sees both players as suitable. However, others are unsure if the two players fit with the current roster. Things can change hourly at this time of year. But there was pessimism that a deal for both players would materialize late Tuesday night.
RUDDY INTEREST
As noted on The Putback, the Pistons and Nuggets have expressed interest cams reddish lately. The Knicks will try to move reddish through Thursday afternoon. As we noted in our mailbag last week, Reddish’s side expects him to be traded by the deadline and has no interest in the Duke product continuing to accumulate DNPs after the deadline if he is not traded.
RAPE HIGH ON CLAXTON
The Raptors and Nets only spoke about possible trades on Monday. They will likely continue to contact you before the deadline. Something of note: Some members of the Raptors have insisted Nick Claxton be involved in any significant trade with the networks.
Claxton has obviously been a key factor in the Nets’ success this season. The club probably see him as an important part of the future. The Raptors don’t need a player like Anunoby or act Pascal Siakamso they seem to have the upper hand in most trade talks involving these players. Fred van Vleet is a pending free agent. So the Raptors probably have less leverage in the trade talks with Van Vleet.
A factor that slowed trade talks late Tuesday night? Kevin Durant‘s uncertain status with the Nets.
Several teams said talks were influenced by Durant as many teams wait to see if the All-Star will be in stores by the deadline. So teams are holding back with big strides until they have clarity on Durant.