How This Trade Impacts New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have done a wonderful job improving the team’s image in recent years. Leon Rose has played a big part in that, as the Knicks look to have a plan in place and are sticking to it.
Not only does the future look bright, but so does the present, as New York has a team that looks like a playoff contender once again. They have a clean salary cap outlook. Multiple first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023 after having two in 2021.
Acquiring Malik Beasley would be a risk. There are legitimate questions about how he would fit in with the team. He isn’t a strong defender, something that will land you in Tom Thibodeau’s doghouse quickly. It was an area Alec Burks was solid in, and Beasley would be a big drop off from.
His off-court issues also make him someone the Knicks may want to avoid, as the organization is beginning to reshape its image on and off the court. But his offensive prowess would be great to have.
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Beasley would give the Knicks another bonafide scoring option, something they lacked last season outside of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. Derrick Rose and Alex Burks were a dynamic duo off the bench alongside Immanuel Quickley, but the offense was what New York needed more of.
Beasley is an efficient scorer with a .446/.391/.816 shooting split in his career. He has averaged 19.9 points per game with the Timberwolves since being acquired from the Denver Nuggets.
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The Florida State product can also initiate some offense, which Burks was tasked with last season when injuries persisted. Turning 25 in November, Beasley does fit the timeline and has three years left on his contract, the last of which is a team option, which fits New York’s plan.
As long as his off-the-court issues are behind him and he isn’t a cause for concern, he would be a nice pickup for the Knicks off their bench.
