New York Knicks Receive: G Spencer Dinwiddie & IND 2021 2nd Round Pick
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Dennis Smith Jr, F Kevin Knox & NYK 2022 1st Round Pick (Lottery Protected)
The New York Knicks have set themselves up for future success by drafting a young core of R.J. Barrett and Obi Toppin, but the addition of Spencer Dinwiddie will help them win some games now and while they still may fail to reach the playoffs, it sends a big message to the rest of the league.
While Barrett and Toppin could develop into great players, the only way the Knicks become a legit threat once again is if they can land a big name free agent. By going out and acquiring Dinwiddie and proving to everyone that this organization can win, there will be plenty of All-Star level players who will be on the phones with their agents trying to get them to New York.
Not only is this city one of the biggest markets in the NBA, but it is one of the biggest markets in all of professional sports! Who wouldn’t want to come play in New York and in Madison Square Garden for one of the NBA’s most historic franchises? Well… not recently, but you get the point!
Last season, Spencer Dinwiddie averaged 20.6 points, 6.8 assists and shot 41.5% from the floor and 30.8% from three-point range. With both KD and Kyrie out last season, Dinwiddie emerged as a leader for the Nets and was one of the main reasons they ended up making the playoffs.
The New York Knicks need a leader and by bringing in Spencer Dinwiddie, they are able to get one that can lead their offense and young core. Not to mention, Dinwiddie is only 27-years old and entering the prime of his career.
Dennis Smith Jr. and Kevin Knox are two guys who just have not worked out in New York’s plans over the years, but have a lot of potential. In three years in the league, playing for both the Mavericks and Knicks, DSJ has averaged 12.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and has shot 40% from the floor. His athleticism is what makes him an interesting young player and his ability to get in the lane and score is above-average.
Kevin Knox was drafted 9th overall in 2018 and has been a disaster on the wing for New York. After averaging double-figure scoring his rookie season, Knox played in 65 games last year, only averaging 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and shot 35.9% from the floor. He saw his minutes cut almost in half and does not seem like a big piece of the Knicks’ puzzle for success moving forward.
The Nets have plenty of depth on their team and while Dennis Smith Jr. nor Kevin Knox would come in and play significant minutes, they could end up learning a lot from Kyrie and KD. With all of that being said, let’s take a closer look at this trade and why it would make sense for both the Nets and Knicks.
