New York Knicks: One quick pro and one quick con of trading for John Wall
By Sam Friedman
The New York Knicks front office have put John Wall as a potential trade target. Here are some of the positives and negatives of the potential blockbuster.
Marc Berman, of the New York Post wrote a piece Tuesday about the New York Knicks being in the running for John Wall when he becomes available for a trade.
The deal would be a mix of Frank Frank Ntilikina, Emmanuel Mudiay, Damyean Dotson, Courtney Lee , a first-round pick and second-round pick.
This would be a massive (whether good or bad is yet to be seen) move for the Knicks and Wizards.
Related Story. An initial reaction to the Robinson Cano trade. light
Pro
The Knicks would be getting the point guard they have coveted for years.
This is also John Wall, year in and year out one of the best point guards in the East. Wall would give the Knicks a seasoned veteran, who’s played in meaningful playoff contests.
Wall has consistently been overlooked as one of the premier point guards in the league.
Consistently making the All-Star game, and a slash line of 21.3 ppg, 8.4 apg, 3.5 rpg, 1.7 spg and 1.0 bpg this season, he’s well on his way back to the mid-year festivities of the All-Star Break.
To his standards, this is a down year.
Wall showed how valuable he is during the Knicks loss to the Wizards on Monday (12/3). At 7/20 from the field and just 18 points, Wall left a lot of meat on the bone from a shooting perspective.
One of those shots happened to shove the dagger in the Knicks attack, ending a promising comeback.
Wall contributed 15 assists as well, highlighting his passing genius. He can facilitate without having to just score. This would bode extremely well for the Knicks that struggle to create their own shots.
Wall would be a true asset if he came to the Knicks
Con
Wall just doesn’t seem like that good of a guy.
If the Knicks executed this trade, it would be eerily reminiscent of the trade of Carmelo Anthony.
Knicks would be giving up a lot of assets for a superstar with an attitude. This is a gross generalization, but there are similarities.
An example of Wall’s attitude has been clear this year. Wall has been at the forefront of a drama filled season for the Wizards. He notoriously said, “[expletive] you” to his coach, Scott Brooks.
I have a firm belief that when the media continuously comes out with the same story over and over, there’s a reason for that.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Wall and Bradley Beal blatantly do not like each other. This is likely Wall’s doing
Outside of the Wizard’s turmoil, Wall’s contract is the other problem.
If the Knicks took on Wall’s contract, they would lose their max roster spot.
His contract’s ludicrously back loaded terms call for Wall’s salary to eclipse $40 million.
On top of the $40+ million, Wall makes an extra 15% if he’s traded. His agent deserves a medal for that performance.
Wall would handcuff the Knicks significantly.
Related Story. What a potential John Wall trade could look like. light
Verdict
I don’t believe it’s worth it. His egregious contract, along his ego make the fit hard to see. I do believe that he is a good player, but it’s better to watch him from afar.