Marc Berman reported that the NY Knicks is still monitoring the availability of Terry Rozier.
He also mentions that the Knicks are controlling Victor Oladipo and Lonzo Ball as well, but we have already put these targets on the ground here at the Daily Knicks.
We recently explored the idea of the Knicks switching to a starting shipowner in the near term, and one of those names was, of course, Terry Rozier, so knowing that the Knicks are still interested in purchasing the old Louisville product is news. exciting.
Terry Rozier has been a target of the Knicks’ board for a long time.
There are rumors that a deal with Terry Rozier is a high priority for the NY Knicks.
Trade rumors of the past included the name Julius Randle and I have the strangest feeling that that would no longer be the case.
While I’m sure the Knicks fans are overjoyed because Randle was not sent to Charlotte in exchange for Rozier, Terry’s commercial value has done nothing but increase in the past few months.
By basketball reference, Rozier averages 20.5 points per game this season, while shooting an impressive 44% from long distance.
Rozier certainly fulfills the need for the Knicks in 1st position, as he is an excellent pitcher, but they currently have 3 scoring guards in the squad.
I believe that the Knicks should lean more strongly towards the acquisition of Lonzo Ball, since he immediately became the best ace and facilitator of the team on day 1.
The Knicks and coach Thibodeau opted for a more isolated approach this season, and I’m sure a lot of that has to do with the lack of an elite level passer on the team.
With Lonzo Ball in the squad, there would be much more movement of the ball in the attack, which would help the Knicks to pick up their game pace, which is currently near the bottom of the league.
Rozier is a great striker, but he can’t get the people around him to improve.
Even last season, when he was the top ball coach and playmaker in Charlotte, he only had an average of 4 assists per game.
We saw coach Thibs choose several shipowners with many points in the past, for example, Derrick Rose … so this is clearly nothing new.
If I’m Leon Rose, I look elsewhere and wait until Lonzo Ball becomes a free agent in the summer, but here’s an exchange that I think works well for both sides:
Hornets Get
Kevin knox
Elfrid Payton
NYK 2021 1st
2022 NYK 2, 2024 NYK 2
As mentioned in a previous article of mine, although, of course, Rozier is playing incredibly well, the Hornets’ situation next year is severely damaged due to the massive contract they gave Gordon Hayward.
Devonte ‘Graham and Malik Monk may not have the same top scorer level as Terry, but any of them would do well as the team’s starting point guard.
Moving Rozier wouldn’t hurt Charlotte’s success too much, as they still have other options to play alongside the rookie phenomenon, LaMelo Ball.
The exchange would also allow Charlotte some breathing space to acquire free agents in the summer that they would not be able to reach if Rozier was still on the list.
As far as the Knicks business is concerned, Elfrid Payton would fit in as LaMelo’s primary backup, Kevin Knox may be Charlotte’s small reserve or power forward on day 1 after the deal is completed, and New York backs off some options for Charlotte.
The first round of the Knicks this year should end in their 20s after the negotiation, so it would not hurt the Knicks, as they still have a likely lottery choice in the first round of the Mavericks and the second round of Detroit, which is likely to become choice No. 31 or 32 at worst.
Final verdict: Stay here. The deal I put in would be acceptable, but anything beyond that, which the Hornets would probably be demanding, should close the deal immediately.
The team is much better off making an off-season exchange or offering Lonzo Ball an offer in the summer.
There are potentially bigger fish to fry for the Knicks … because I know I saw Bradley Beal being extremely friendly with Julius Randle when the teams were first announced during last night’s star game and NO ONE will convince me otherwise.