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New York Knicks: Five Point Guard Targets For Trade Deadline

By Kenneth Teape

Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson looks on during a stop in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks: Five Point Guard Targets For Trade Deadline
Jan 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings (7) drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pistons 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Jennings, Detroit Pistons

If the Knicks elect to go the trade route to try and upgrade the point guard position, they could find a partner in the Detroit Pistons. After handing Reggie Jackson a mega contract this offseason, the Pistons have been shopping their backup and former starting point guard Brandon Jennings. Jennings lost his starting job when he tore his Achilles’ last season, and Jackson took over the starting spot.

Jennings actually made his season debut from the Achilles’ tear against the Knicks on December 29th, and has not missed a game since, appearing in 23 with one start. The results have been inconsistent as Jennings missed about 11 months of action with the injury. He is shooting only 37.3 percent from the field and 31.2 percent from deep, averaging 6.8 points, three assists and two rebounds per game, but has shown flashes; he scored 22 against the Toronto Raptors in 22 minutes and 20 against the New Orleans Pelicans in 20 minutes.

Jennings has long loved playing at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, still upset that they passed over him during the 2009 NBA Draft in favor of Jordan Hill, as Jennings fell to No.10 to the Milwaukee Bucks. Jennings may not be able to fully shake the rust off with the Pistons as Jackson is entrenched as the starting point guard, but the Knicks could be a good landing spot for him.

He is a solid shooter normally and playmaker off the dribble, something the Knicks desperately lack in their offense. He does not finish at the rim well, but the fact he can attack and force a defense to move a little would be a welcome addition to the Knicks sometimes stagnant defense. Jennings was looking like one of the better offensive initiators in the NBA before getting hurt last season as his offensive RPM and assist rates ranked in the 94th and 97th percentiles respectively.

It would be a worthwhile risk for the Knicks to obtain Jennings. It would be an extended showcase for Jennings, as he is a free agent after the season. If he bombs, the Knicks can just let him walk, but if he succeeds they could finally have solved their point guard conundrum. There have been rumors linking Jennings to the Knicks already this season, so there is a chance the swap could be revisited.

Next: A PG That Wants The Knicks

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