Ian Begley of ESPN.com reported earlier today that teams are asking the Knicks about Kyle O’Quinn in trade discussions, and according to Frank Isola of The New York Daily News (Twitter link), one club that spoke to New York about O’Quinn says the Knicks are looking to get a first-round pick for the big man.
O’Quinn, who turns 27 next month, is having his best season as a pro this year in New York, averaging career highs in PPG (6.4), RPG (5.6), and FG% (.534). Although he may not be a difference-maker, O’Quinn has been a reliable part-time player for the Knicks, and is on an affordable contract — he’ll earn about $4MM annually this season and next season.
Still, while it doesn’t hurt the Knicks to ask for a first-rounder, it would be a surprise if a trade partner was willing to give up a pick of that caliber without either getting another piece from New York or ditching an unfavorable contract. Although O’Quinn’s deal is cap-friendly, he has the ability to opt out of it in 2018, so he won’t be under team control for long. He’s also not a player who would have a major role for a contender, having averaged 14.3 minutes per game in his career, and never more than 17.2 MPG in a season.
In addition to O’Quinn, other Knicks that have been mentioned this week as potential trade candidates include Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, and Courtney Lee. Carmelo Anthony appears increasingly likely to stay put.
Hey Kings get in on this. This is Sacramento’s kind of trade
1st round pick, top 30 protected
Lol !!
knicks are so dumb! You can’t get a #1 pick
for Oquinn a marginal back up player who can’t put in even 20 minutes per game! He’s not a young Jamal Crawford or even a Lew Hudson who ave 19ppg and brought the Lakers a #1 pic and can give the Rockets 25 minutes per game, even start if need be
KO is certainly worth a mid-1st round pick. Anyone who thinks otherwise likely hasn’t either seen him play or looked at his numbers. Knicks want to get him more MPG, and has responded well when he has, but there’s a logjam at his spots. It’s one reason he’s available. He’s abit old for his experience level (4th year), but he’s still an ascending player (a young 26, with upside).
Never thought I’d have to defend a “big” who is leading the league in blocks per 48M (Gobert is a distant second), in the top 10 or so in rebounds per 48, shooting over 53% from the field (not all on dunks) and 75% from the line. Also, his physical style with high IQ game (among centers, he’s 12th per 48 in assists) make him quite impactful at times.
Exactly what are these “contenders” looking for in the backup big men they give 15-17 mpg to?
What is he worth? A 2nd round pick? A old pair of sneakers? Nothing? Blocks, rebounds, FG% are all irrelevant stats?
pretty sure KO is not going to be the difference in winning/losing a playoff round.
better to keep your draft pick and use it on a younger, more talented, cheaper, higher upside player in this deep upcoming draft.
Any GM that gives up a 1st for 2 years of Kyle OQuinn needs a CT scan, FAST!
Nice to know KO’S family is representing on hoopsrumors. won’t find that kind of backing for such an irrelevant player anywhere else!
Really? You’re pretty sure? Well, that settles it. LOL. Your assessment of his talent and upside are comically off, but you wouldn’t understand why if I explained it to you. Yeah, he was a 2nd round pick, so that must mean he’s not talented, and there’s so much up elite talent in the middle to bottom of the first round of the NBA draft, and only superstars make a difference in winning and losing a playoff round, etc. – yep, you’ve memorized it all.
as long as you agree with me, that’s all that matters.
Teams will come looking for O’Quinn because they don’t want to be left out on the chase of the title when it might be the teams last chance.
If he was so good he would be getting more minutes. A logjam shouldn’t prevent him from getting minutes when KP is the only guy who should obviously be before him.
That’s not reality in the short term. Noah was just given a big contract (and while he hasn’t played to it, he hasn’t been so bad that the Knicks should completely sit him either, although it may come to that). In addition, the Knicks also have another rising young 5 in Hernangomez (who also needs some minutes, as Porzingis needs some at the 5 too). KO may still end up starting if not traded; he’s earned the chance.
The point, in any event, is not that he’s “so good” that he’s only starter minutes away from being a star. I think there is some potential upside here based on his history if he gets more minutes. But forget that. Just evaluate him on what he’s doing this year when he plays, i.e., providing 15-17 backup minutes at a 20+ PER which is better than average starter level quality. That’s valuable. Certainly worth a mid-to-low first round pick for a team entering the playoffs if they’re not getting that type of bench production at the 5.
And if he’s so mediocre, then why is everyone assuming he’ll opt out of a contract 2 years from now. If he’s so certain to be underpaid at 4.2 mm in 2018-19 (that you know it now), then by definition he’s worth more than a 2nd round pick.
Do you think Boban should of gotten a max contract? He had some crazy good per 48 numbers and a good shooting percentage. When you don’t play many minutes you usually play other bad players and Snapple size definitely matters. Other than Porzingus, who is this great knicks front court player keeping him off the court? There is a reason.
You think a player traded for a mid-to-low first round pick is a generally a max level player-? There’s a concept out there called “qualifying minutes” (look into it). BTW, there isn’t one called Snapple size. Although maybe you can introduce it, along with your other insights.
Never imagined so many would have trouble grasping a such a simple concept. Try again: If you want a guy to come off the bench and give you high end production for 15-17 mpg, then why not go out and get someone who’s actually doing that? (it doesn’t matter, for that purpose, why his minutes aren’t higher, since you getting him to play those minutes – and if you think that’s not worth a low to mid 1st rounder, then you haven’t been paying attention to the market value of those picks …. I guess you think Bogdanovic is going to get max money from Washington, whereas I’d bet not)
Sounds like Phil better hold on to him and build franchise around the big guy. I have not seen him because the Knicks aren’t worth watching.
The Knicks aren’t worth watching. But the opinion of someone who hasn’t seen him play isn’t worth reading.
He’s a good role player off the bench. But he’s certainly not worth a first round pick.
Most mid-to-low first round picks don’t achieve the status of a good role player off the bench, which is why teams don’t fret much about trading those picks for players that already have.
1st round pick for a guy who plays barely 15 mpg on a losing team. If this guy is so good as you can make it sound to be why did Orlando get rid of him or why wont the Knicks tried to build around him. If hes only starter minutes away from being a star.
1st round pick me also vary right? He might be worth a 1st rounder to a team picking from 25 down.