Knicks traded for future picks, expressed interest in Gordon Hayward

After clearing the closet, Leon Rose is set to assemble his first Knicks team, and the rookie team president has reportedly already made a trade with the Utah Jazz while focusing on players like Gordon Hayward, who just came from withdraw $ 34.2 million. money guaranteed.

Just when you thought you could take a second to celebrate a seemingly successful draft night, the Knicks wasted no time making major renovations by getting rid of half the squad. Shortly after, they signed Myles Powell unwritten out of Seton Hall. Then all hell broke loose.

First, Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that the Knicks were extremely interested in signing Gordon Hayward, 30, who gave up his $ 34.2 million playing option with the Boston Celtics for this. season and is now an unrestricted free agent. .

The once besieged All-Star was finally starting to look like his old self this year with averages of 17.5 points (50% on field, 38% at depth), 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game . But he has faced injury issues over the season, including a broken wrist and a fairly severe ankle sprain, and has only played 52 games.

In order to build a strong team, you need talent, and Hayward is a talented man. It’s okay for the Knicks to show interest. What they can’t do is panic, worry that the Indiana Pacers or someone else will outbid them, and offer Hayward a bloated, multi-year contract. Please, and yes this phrase can be considered begging, don’t pay Hayward too much.

The Hayward stuff is still a rumor, however. It’s just something to chew on. This new news is something you can actually eat. The Knicks have reached a deal with Utah Jazz that will bring back mediocre big man Ed Davis and two second-round picks in 2023. It looks like the Knicks aren’t trading anyone or anything under that deal. , they just agree to take the Davis contract so that the Jazz can have more space to sign their own players. Cared for!

Netizens say that, since 2023 will be the first year high school players can be drafted, the Knicks are smartly trying to hide as many picks as possible for that draft. Sure, but maybe they rather store some draft assets so they can trade for John Wall or something like that. Just by saying, don’t get too comfortable. 2023 is far away.

If that wasn’t enough for you, the Knicks are also keeping an eye out for Malik Beasley, who the Timberwolves have reportedly put on the line. Beasley, 23, played just over three seasons in Denver before being traded to Minnesota in February in part of a giant four-team deal.

He finished last season on a tear, lighting it up with 20.7 point averages (47% from the field, 43% from three), 5 boards and 2 assists in the 14 games he has played for. the Timberwolves after the trade. For his career, the 6’4 ”shooter has averaged 8 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist per game while shooting 45% overall and 39% over the arc.

That being said, the following came out after the Beasley Release Report, so you never really know the truth until action is taken.

This condensed offseason period is just beginning, my friends. Things should only get crazier from now on. Keep your hopes high but your expectations low. And Leon, when are you going to trade Julius Randle so Obi Toppin can enter as the starting power?