Knicks Rumors: Phoenix Suns Inquire About Mindaugas Kuzminskas
New York Knicks rumors: Forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas has drawn inquires from the Phoenix Suns as a trade target.
Recent New York Knicks rumors have revolved around players other than Carmelo Anthony. Anthony has a full no-trade clause and intends to stick with the Knicks, so the team has begun working on other trades.
Derrick Rose is drawing interest from teams, with the Minnesota Timberwolves at the head of that list. The Knicks are also receiving calls about center Kyle O’Quinn, and are looking for a first-round pick in return. You can now add reserve forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas to the list.
According to Mike Scotto of Basketball Insiders and the Associated Press, the Knicks have received inquiries on Kuzminskas from the Phoenix Suns.
The Phoenix Suns expressed interest in trading for New York Knicks forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas, league sources told Basketball Insiders.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 23, 2017
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The 27-year old rookie has been in and out of the Knicks rotation all season. But, when he has received the minutes he has produced well.
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Kuzminskas has been adapting to the NBA game and has improved steadily as the season has progressed. He has been able to score some, averaging 14.8 points per 36 minutes and has shown an ability to shoot it from deep. Where he has made the biggest improvements has been on the defensive end of the game.
Anytime you watch a Knicks telecast and Kuzminskas gets in the game, the commentators speak about his defense. Coming over from Europe is an adjustment for anyone. Kuzminskas is slight at 6-feet-9 inches tall and only 215 pounds but has gotten better the more he has become acclimated with the NBA. He struggled at first but has seen improvements as the season has worn on.
His contract is a very affordable one, as he signed a two-year deal in the offseason worth just under $6 million. Kuzminskas is an intriguing player to hear in trade rumors. The Suns interest in him is peculiar as well. The Suns are very clearly in the rebuilding stage, so what could the Knicks look to get in return from him?
The Suns have a lot of veterans they are looking to ship off, such as P.J. Tucker and Tyson Chandler. Chandler would have no use in New York, as the Knicks already have an aging center they don’t know what to do with. Tucker would improve the Knicks defense immensely, but the price is probably too high give the demand around him.
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If the Knicks are to trade Kuzminskas or anyone for that matter, they should be looking for some type of draft pick compensation. The only way for the Knicks to truly rebuild, especially with the recent actions of James Dolan and Phil Jackson making a negative impact on players, is through the draft.