How This Trade Impacts New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are having an identity crisis. Last season their defense was their calling card. They could count on that to help keep them in games. This season, that has not been the case.
New York is giving up wide-open 3-pointers at an alarming rate. The decision to sacrifice some defense for offense in the offseason has not panned out, as now the team has nothing to count on coming into a game.
A shake-up will likely occur, as the current pieces on the roster aren’t meshing as well as hoped. Landing someone such as Myles Turner would help get the team back on track.
Turner is an elite rim protector, which is imperative in a Tom Thibodeau-led team. For Thibodeau’s system to work, a traditional center is needed. From that perspective, Turner is a throwback.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: This Knicks Player Is Receiving Trade Interest From Rival Teams
Offensively, Turner would help modernize the Knicks’ attack. Their offense is too easily thrown off course because they have arguably the easiest center combination to defend in the NBA. Mitchell Robinson, Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson aren’t going to consistently hurt teams with jumpers. Robinson and Noel are zero threats outside of putbacks and dunks.
Turner, on the other hand, can knock down 3-pointers and has a budding offensive game. He is in the midst of the best shooting season of his career and is more than just a floor spacer at the 5-spot.
The trade package would upset some people. Obi Toppin is a fan favorite, but unless Thibodeau is going to consistently use a Julius Randle/Toppin frontcourt pairing, he may be better off being used as a trade chip to bring an impact player back. Either play him more minutes or use him to bring in a guy that will.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: This Knicks Player Is Receiving Trade Interest From Rival Teams
Turner is a huge upgrade over Noel and Robinson has looked better coming off the bench in recent games. Acquiring the former Texas product would likely keep Robinson with the second unit. With extra draft capital at their disposal, the first-round pick isn’t too steep of a price to pay.
