Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal

Some will protest this move from the Knicks’ perspective. They’ll have a point. This is not a great NBA team – why are they making win-now moves? 

Well, the Knicks aren’t like other NBA teams either. They play in New York. By virtue of that fact, they should be able to operate under different principles, even if it hasn’t generally gone that way for them. 

The Knicks don’t need to build a contender ahead of 2022-23. They just need to build an appealing destination. Acquiring Hield would go a long way towards that achieving that goal. 

For what it’s worth, there is talent in New York. Julius Randle could have a bounce-back season, and RJ Barrett could take a step forward. Mitchell Robinson is a quality defensive big, and Isaiah Hartenstein is a solid two-way center.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers & New York Knicks Updates

With Hield in the fold, the Knicks could be respectable, and for a New York team, respectable should be the first step towards contention. 

Where does this deal take the Pacers?