Empire Writes Back
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New York Knicks: Don’t believe the hype

By Justin Chaires

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 27: Frank Ntilikina (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 27: Frank Ntilikina (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The whirlwind of rumors has been that the New York Knicks should trade for Kemba Walker. After watching Sunday night’s game, fans and reporters should begin cooling their respective jets.

Let’s look at this, realistically, from the New York Knicks perspective.

If they traded for Kemba

If the Knicks trade for Kemba Walker they’d be receiving an excellent slasher and scorer and an average defender with above average hands. Though it would increase ticket sales it wouldn’t be smart to give up the future for Walker.

Any trade that sees a first-round pick transitioning away from the Knicks, should be shot down, dragged out back, shot again, and then burned to ashes before being buried.

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The only way this trade would be acceptable is if the Knicks were unwilling to eat a bad contract and possibly send Willy Hernangomez and Kyle O’Quinn or Courtney Lee with one of their pending second round picks. Kemba Walker isn’t worth the future but he is worth cap freedom for Charlotte, a good up and coming big, and an unprotected second round pick that could fall in that top ten range in the second round.

When the Knicks become sellers

The Knicks could find themselves as sellers nearing the trade deadline, and after watching that game against the Lakers, they probably will be.

Shopping O’Quinn and Lee for late first round picks are then acceptable. Each player could catch a late first round from contenders and would give their next team amazing value off the bench and as leaders.

If Scott Perry and Steve Mills can find a way to bring back two first-round picks on the cheap while eating two one-year deals on less desirable players, it becomes a Co-op for the Knicks.

Next: Knicks draft prospect: Mikal Bridges

After receiving those two first-round picks, the Knicks can go back to Charlotte and offer them Enes Kanter’s one-year deal and a first round pick along with Ron Baker and Lance Thomas in return for a Kemba Walker and one of the horrible contracts Charlotte has.

With this, the Knicks can load up on more young affordable talent and wait out the bad contracts they would have on payroll while building towards the future with a much younger roster and more than likely a new head coach.

Looking at you Mark Jackson, don’t let me down!!

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