New York Knicks Receive: G/F Caris LeVert
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, NYK 2022 1st Round Pick (Top-10 Protected)
Back in December, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Indiana Pacers were heading towards a rebuild and would be receptive to trade offers not only for Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, but Caris LeVert as well.
Since then, Pacers’ ownership has shot down the rumors of them wanting to “rebuild” and the idea of trading Sabonis seems very unlikely given the value the Pacers have on him. With Myles Turner now being out due to a foot injury, this leaves Caris LeVert as the key, available trade asset in Indiana.
The Knicks are needing more scoring weapons and due to some within New York’s front-office already eyeing LeVert, it seems reasonable to believe that New York will inquire about the Pacers’ wing over the next two weeks leading up to the trade deadline.
He would be the perfect complimentary player next to both RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, plus Caris LeVert is averaging 18.5 points per game this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks Could Trade For Caris LeVert After Cam Reddish Deal
Three-point shooting percentage is a problem for LeVert, as he is only shooting 33.1% from deep on the year, but his ability to score at the rim and open up space on the floor is what the Knicks are missing right now.
Evan Fournier was a big addition for New York in the offseason and they had high hopes for him, but his inconsistencies defensively have been a problem on the wing for the Knicks.
Not to mention, Fournier really has not been much of a scoring weapon for the Knicks this season other than a few games where he got hot from three-point range. One could ask why the Pacers would want Evan Fournier then if he is not as good of a scorer as LeVert and the simple answer is because the Pacers are dreadful from three-point range.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks Could Trade For Caris LeVert After Cam Reddish Deal
As a team, the Indiana Pacers have shot 33% from long-range this season, ranking them 25th in the league. Justin Holiday and Chris Duarte are the only two players on Indiana’s roster shooting above 35% from deep on the season (min. 200 shots) and adding someone like Fournier not only gives them a boost offensively this season, but moving forward as well.
The Knicks’ level of interest in someone like Caris LeVert is what really drives this trade, but would they be willing to give up their first-round pick for him?
