Kevin Knox could be an important trade asset if the Knicks try to get Collin Sexton from the Cavaliers, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Knox hasn’t done much over the past two seasons, but Cleveland general manager Koby Altman was very interested in the forward heading into the 2018 draft, Berman notes. The Cavs opted for Sexton with the eighth pick, and New York took Knox at No. 9.
The Knicks have a couple of connections that could help in negotiations with Cleveland, Berman adds. Chief strategist Brock Aller was a front office executive with the Cavaliers when they drafted Sexton and he remains close with Altman and owner Dan Gilbert. Sexton has the same agent as Knicks rookie forward Obi Toppin, another candidate to be sent to Cleveland in a possible deal. They are both represented by Austin Brown of Creative Artists Agency, the firm that Leon Rose ran before becoming president of the Knicks.
There’s more from New York:
- Ian Begley of SNY.tv confirms the Knicks’ interest in Sexton, but cites sources who say the Cavs want a useful veteran in return. New York doesn’t have any veterans with a multi-year contract, so a third team might be necessary to get a deal done. Sexton will be eligible for an extension worth up to $168MM over five years, which would cut into the Knicks’ cap room.
- Begley adds in the same story that teams in contact with the Knicks have gotten the impression that the club has little interest in trading RJ Barrett. A previous report stated that Barrett isn’t untouchable, but would likely only be available in a deal for a superstar.
- One superstar who could end up being available this offseason is Damian Lillard. While it’s not clear if the Knicks would offer Barrett in a package for the Trail Blazers point guard, Berman says the team figures to be amenable to including at least three first-round picks in an offer. If Lillard does look to leave Portland, he’d likely be intrigued by the Knicks in part because assistant coach Johnny Bryant is one of his mentors from Oakland, Berman adds.
- If the Knicks are able to trade for a point guard, that frees up their considerable cap room to be used elsewhere, Berman adds in a separate story. One option is Warriors forward Kelly Oubre, who is expected to lose his starting job when Klay Thompson returns. The Spurs and Heat are reportedly also interested in Oubre.
- Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic identifies six free agents he believes the Knicks should consider, including point guards Goran Dragic and Spencer Dinwiddie and sharpshooters Duncan Robinson and Malik Monk.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
I doubt the Cavs think Knox is an “important trade asset” and the key word from Mark Berman is “Koby Altman WAS very interested”.
It’s Berman. You can’t read too much into anything he says.
Knox has not been great, but he was the youngest guy drafted and the NY spotlight has shone very brightly on his lack of being great. If Knox were on the Wizards or the Spurs or some other team without the huge media spotlight, he would not get nearly the flak that he has gotten.
He is still not even 22 years old, a year and a half younger than Obi Toppin, and still has plenty of upside. I think the Knicks made a huge mistake not sending him to the G League his first year and the lack of G League the past two years has really hurt is development. BUT I don’t think it has ruined him completely just yet.
If he goes to a place like Cleveland or OKC or the G League where winning is not going to be a priority and he will get playing time to improve, I believe Knox can still be a solid NBA player. Maybe not a superstar, but I think he could develop into a starter on a real contending team.
Idk though, because while his shooting was inconsistent and not what was expected, it was his defense and lack of other skills such as playmaking or consistent rebounding that kept him on the bench. He has good height and is young, but he still has a ways to go to being a solid 3 and D player as I would project his future role to be if he can develop into something.
Knicks drafting Ntilikina biggest mistake in recent history. Passing on Mitchell, Monk, and Bam.
Ntilikina and Knox in back to back years was awful.
I honestly was expecting bigger things from Knox. He has been a bust especially with Bridges and Alexander taken after him.
MPJ
It’s not like teams “missed” on MPJ, he had scary back issues.
So you think the Suns are going to win then?
Lots of teams passed on guys like Kawhi, Booker, MPJ, Joker, Gobert, Draymond, etc.
It’s like saying Why did you draft Mike Trout? We’ll 20 something other teams didn’t either.
Can’t look back. Only forward. Different person making the selection different coach.
Im on record for thinking the Cavs would be idiots to trade Sexton. They would be uber morons if they viewed Knox as an important piece. If Barret isn’t in the deal then there should be no deal. Mitch Robinson would be more desirable than Knox.
As a Knicks and Cavs fan there are little the Knicks have in terms of NBA talent that they should want to give up and what Cavs they would want.
RJ > Sexton just due to his contract having 1 more year of cheap control.
I’ve said before that If the Cavs just want a couple picks, Knox and a 1st and 2nd or two 2nds. That should be enough. I don’t see anyone sending back a prospect that is in their LT plans. Like Maxey or Quickley or Herro, those aren’t the guys you’d get. And Sexton for some old vet doesn’t make sense either. It’s picks, they want picks.
Hate saying it, but I don’t think Knox can turn things around. He’s young, yes, but his problem is not being underdeveloped from a skill standpoint. In fact, he has the size, athleticism and skill set to be MUCH more than a role player. But he’s rarely functional on the court, even when he impresses with his skills. I don’t think it’s a skill or attitude problem, but a cognitive one. He just doesn’t read or process what’s happening on the court fast enough. It’s rare for a guy to get this far in professional sports with this issue. But like a lot of one and done guys, he really hasn’t played much beyond HS. People see what they want to see, in particular with a guy who profiles so well at the league’s most premium position. I’m sure in a low intensity practice environment or scrimmage, the skills show through and he impresses.
I don’t have any faith in him but I also think he’s the kind of guy who needs a pg to function so I think he’ll show something when he’s traded.
If Berman were an NBA player equivalent to his job performance, he would’ve been out of the league within a few years.
If the Knicks can get anything for Knox – take it!
At this point a quarter of the league is being rumored to be potentially in NY next year. Yet I don’t see Rose doing anything until Lillard is moved, which now seems inevitable.
Knox is young enough some team might be interested in a flier. He plays a better position than Frank, so he’s got that going for him.
Trade for a PG instead of signing a free agent so you can sign Oubre?
I’d rather sign a real PG and find a SF elsewhere.
Knox is another player caught up. In the Knicks transition of management. And not developed cause of people looking out for themselves. Three yrs of it. It’s real simple. Look at his rookie yr. Then ask yourself why do teams have the G-league. Players need to play to develop. Not watch film or sit on bench. Why waste their first yr of two. It’s just sad and such a waste of investments. By the way it says. Cavs liked Knox in the draft. Not on the Knicks. Not a Sexton guy. Got talent but is motivated by the wrong things. You can’t build a Team with that. As much as I would love Dame in NY. Not happening, we’d have to give up too much. He’d be worse off than he is in Portland. He’s not Mello, Dame does care. Duncan is a guy I can see Knicks could go after. Then why would Heat let him walk. I do like and believe Knicks will try and trade up in draft. There are future stars in top 10. It’s looking like J Johnson could slip out of lottery. I think he fits us, I see upside. Obrue is a bad mix with RJ n Randle. They have similar gms. We need shooting and more playmakers. Mitchell and Bouknight are two players that are ready to help now. Very good 2way players with upside still. It would be major to move up to them.
No Knox No Frank No way
BTW Knox is listed as only 6-7, not 6-9
I can believe Altman liked him— they do have a similar look— but that is no evidence of quality.