How This Trade Impacts New York Knicks
Taking a quick look at this deal, it is fair to question why the New York Knicks would get involved. However, there are a few major reasons this could be a deal that the team would willingly accept.
For starters, it is a salary dump. The Knicks save $11.7 million this season alone as the Mavericks can absorb Kemba Walker’s contract with a trade exception. Evan Fournier is owed $36.9 million the next two seasons and has a $19 million option for 2024-25 so the Knicks clear that off their books as well.
New York is saving money next season as well. Dwight Powell is owed just over $11 million and Sterling Brown is owed $3 million. Both of their contracts expire following the 2022-23 season, providing the Knicks with cap space just in time to fit a possible extension in for RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish.
Speaking of Reddish, this trade will open a spot in the rotation for him as well. New York acquired him, along with Solomon Hill and a future second-round pick, from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kevin Knox II and a first-round pick via the Charlotte Hornets. He has not been in the rotation as of yet, but a deal including Fournier would open up minutes for him to get playing time.
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This deal may not help the Knicks win more games this season, but it will certainly help keep them on track to continue building up the roster. They save money, open up minutes for another young player and add a little more draft capital in the process.
