The New York Knicks, whether it be because they play in an illustrious market or because they’re a team that always seems to be missing a piece, are often at the center of trade rumors and this season has proven no different.
After reports surfaced about the Knicks’ sustained intrigue with adding Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine to their stable of talent just a week ago, New York has been linked to another high-profile two-guard: Houston Rockets star Victor Oladipo.
Per Bleacher Report’s A. Sherrod Blakely, “league sources say the Knicks are among the teams interested in Oladipo and will be closely monitoring the impending free agent’s play leading up to the deadline and beyond if he’s not moved by then.”
Oladipo—traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Rockets in the aftermath of James Harden’s fallout with Houston—has averaged 20.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game this season.
There have also been rumors regarding Oladipo’s interest in playing for the Miami Heat for months, leading to legitimate questions about whether or not he’ll re-sign with the Knicks when he reaches free agency next offseason. What’s more, Oladipo has suffered multiple major injuries at just 28-years-old, leading to him playing just 72 regular-season games over the last three seasons.
Nonetheless, the two-time All-Star has shown he’s still an above-average two-way player. Therefore, a struggling franchise like the Knicks—who need to improve both their star talent and their talent on the perimeter—would have an understandable interest in trading for him.
With what’s shaping up to be another intriguing trade season, Oladipo’s situation in Houston is certainly worth monitoring.
