The New York Knicks are reportedly shifting their focus on the trade market, where the club is angling to pull off a deal that would help them land an established player at the power forward slot.
The Knicks, who signed Aaron Afflalo to a two-year, $18MM contract and Robin Lopez to a four-year, $54 million deal, are itching to pull the trigger on another big trade, possibly for Golden State Warriors' power forward David Lee and Washington Wizards banger Nene.
The Knicks entered the free-agency season with at least $27 million cap spaces per SB Nation, and after spending cash on acquiring Afflalo and Lopez, they still have enough money to make a play for a veteran power forward.
The Knicks are reportedly setting their sights on two veterans: Nene and Lee. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Wizards are hoping they can unload Hilario's contract to create cap space for free-agent forward David West. The Warriors, on the other hand, are desperate to get rid of Lee's $15MM expiring contract after committing huge deals with Klay Thompson 4-year, $70MM and recent Draymond Green 5-year, $85MM the past two seasons.
Hilario, who averaged 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 25 minutes per game last season with the Wizards, is set to earn $13MM next year. Aside from the Knicks, the Brazilian is also drawing trade interest from the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and Toronto Raptors.
Lee, on the other hand, is coming his worst statistical year since his rookie season, as he averaged 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 18.4 minutes of playing time. The former Florida standout started his career with the Knicks, playing his first five seasons in New York before he signed a six-year, $80 million contract in 2010.
The Knicks used their no.4 pick to select seven-foot Latvian prospect Kristap Porzingis and signed Derrick Williams to a two-year, $10 million deal, but Porzingis is still considered a project while Williams is suited as a versatile backup who can play either the three or four spot.