The New York Knicks could explore the trade market to address the team's backcourt void, and Dante Exum and Goran Dragic could be in the team's wish list.
The Knicks are expected to be buyers before the deadline, with the team slowly slipping out of the playoffs conversation. In a tightly-contested race to the postseason, the Knicks are only a game and a half away from the eighth spot, but New York needs to address its void at the backcourt if they wish to enter the playoff picture.
According to Sara Peters of Bleacher Report, Utah Jazz backup point guard Dante Exum could be a potential trade deadline target for New York, although at the expense of the team's own backup PG in Brandon Jennings, who signed a one-year $5 million deal with the Knicks this past summer.
Exum's defense and athleticism could see him a more fitting piece for the Knicks. Considering the team's roster construction, the Knicks won't be in short of scoring options. Adding Exum, who holds opponents' shooters to 4.2 percent below their average field goal percentages overall, may help the Knicks win more games for the remainder of the season.
However, with limited assets to orchestrate a trade deadline move, the Knicks may not be able to afford the Jazz's possible asking price for the 21-year-old point guard. But an offensively-gifted backcourt player like Jennings could be an enticing piece for Utah.
Another potential target for the Knicks is Miami Heat point guard Goran Dragic, who has reportedly been open for a trade, according to Chris Mannix of The Vertical.
After losing Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in the offseason, the Heat have failed to established themselves as legit contenders in the East, which may force the team to consider retooling around younger guys like Hassan Whiteside, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow and Tyler Johnson, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
"HEAT sources have said rebuilding around a 30-year point guard wouldn't be the worst thing to do, but there is a growing sense that Miami explores liquidating not only Dragic but many of the veteran guys they have on expiring deals to collect rookie scale players or draft picks," Kyler wrote.
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Dragic, who is averaging 19.0 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field, including 40.5 from downtown, would give the Knicks sure firepower on the offensive end and a solid playmaker off the bench. His game could also suit well in Jeff Hornacek's fast-paced schemes and could have a smooth transition to New York, according to Forbes writer Anthony DiMoro.
"Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic offers the Knicks a true point guard that is also familiar with head coach Jeff Hornacek. The transition of Dragic to New York could be quite smooth, making a deal with Miami that much more interesting for the Knicks," DiMoro wrote.
However, it remains to be seen whether Dragic would embrace a backup role in the Big Apple. Moreover, trading for Dragic won't be cheap, with the Heat reportedly "too high to encourage any serious trade discussions," reports ESPN's Marc Stein.
It remains to be seen whether the Knicks have genuine interests in acquiring either Dragic or Exum. But it seems inevitable they explore making moves, especially with the team slowly veering away from ending their postseason drought.
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