New York Knicks Receive: G CJ McCollum, F/C Robert Covington
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F RJ Barrett, F/G Alec Burks, G Evan Fournier, C Nerlens Noel
This package is one that the New York Knicks would likely not bite at, but the Portland Trail Blazers could push for. While there are no draft picks switching teams, Portland is landing a high-upside youngster in RJ Barrett.
Despite some of his inconsistencies, the potential is there for Barrett to be a two-way force on the wing. He is athletic enough to play in the backcourt but has the size to play on the wing. If the Trail Blazers are going to break up their backcourt, he is the type of player they will target.
However, the Knicks do not want to trade Barrett, and rightfully so. If he was made available, they would want Damian Lillard in return, who would push them closer to contender status than McCollum.
But, it would also cost them more along with Barrett than this trade does. New York is essentially hitting the redo button on their offseason, as the three biggest contracts they handed out are all involved in this deal.
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Alec Burks has played very well for the team no matter the role he has been asked to play but is included in this deal to help match salary. Nerlens Noel hasn’t had the same impact this season as last season and is included as well.
In addition to McCollum, the Knicks are landing a versatile frontcourt player in Robert Covington. Covington can help open things up offensively with his 3-point shooting from the frontcourt. He can play multiple positions defensively, giving Tom Thibodeau some flexibility when it comes to lineup construction as well.
