Brandon Jennings (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors ignite in the Big Apple as one of the city's esteemed sportswriters came up with a bold suggestion.
From Frank Isola of the NY Daily News, the Knicks should trade for Brandon Jennings, back-up point guard of the Detroit Pistons.
"The Knicks, according to a source, have interest in several point guards including Jennings, who finally returned to the lineup after rupturing his left Achilles tendon nearly 11 months ago," Isola wrote. "That's a red flag right there. Jennings went 2-for-4 with seven points and four assists in 17 minutes in his season debut."
Isola points out that there is still time to assess Jennings as the deadline is still two months away. The Knicks should also consider that Jennings will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Is Jennings worth the gamble-and is he capable of being a starting point guard again? Detroit Pistons coach and also President of Basketball operations Stan Van Gundy made the endorsement.
"Oh yeah, I don't think there is any doubt," SVG said. "Brandon is coming back well off of the injury and he's a guy who just absolutely loves to play, loves to be in the gym. He's still young, he's still 26. I don't think there's any doubt he'll be a starting point guard in this league again."
However, Isola seems wary of SVG's remarks as he noted that one of his transactions involved trading for Reggie Jackson-who's now the Pistons starting PG, and signing him for a 5-year contract. It implies that he really does not have faith in the 2009 draftee.
Still, NBC believes it's worth a shot. "If Jennings can get back to even something close to what he was before the injury, he would be the clear-cut starter and a massive upgrade for the Knicks. Given his injury and expiring contract, trading for him wouldn't be impossible, either. It's something to keep an eye on."
Phil Jackson may have to adjust his triangle offense for Jennings, if ever he decides to roll the dice with him as Jennings is known to be "ball heavy." This is probably why he may take his time before pulling the trigger.
