NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks Monitoring Victor Oladipo, Terry Rozier & Lonzo Ball Ahead of Trade Deadline

New York Knicks have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season. Despite not making any big signings in the off-season, the Knicks have shocked everyone with a record of 19 wins and 18 losses, capturing the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Much of it has been because of the hiring of head coach Tom Thibodeau. Under coach Thibodeau, the Knicks have become an elite team defensively, and players like Julius Randle and RJ Barret have taken control of the offensive end.

They might be the second best team defensively, but only have the 23rd best offensive rating in the league. But with the trade deadline approaching, the Knicks might be looking to add another quality offensive star to their team.

According to New York Post’s Marc Berman, the Knicks are monitoring three players: Rockets’ Victor Oladipo, Pelicans’ Lonzo Ball and Hornets’ Terry Rozier. All the three guards are elite options offensively and will be impressive additions.

But given that the Hornets and the Pelicans are making a playoff push, the availability of Ball and Rozier is rather questionable. Oladipo however makes for an intriguing case. The Rockets’ guard recently rejected a two-year-deal worth $45.2 million from Houston and might be eyeing a different team.

Given the enormous pool of young talented players the Knicks have, they can pull off an Oladipo trade ahead of the trade deadline. With a star guard like Oladipo and an All-Star like Randle, the Knicks will cement their position as a playoff team.

What will Oladipo add to the New York Knicks?

Victor Oladipo might not be in the best of forms lately, but there is no doubting his quality as a guard. The 28-year-old has made two All-Star appearances with the Indiana Pacers and is an effective player on the court.

After his breakout season in 2017-18, it seemed like Oladipo was ready to take the leap to next level, but injuries have severely hampered the 6’4″ guard in recent seasons. After playing only 55 regular season games, Oladipo is finally back in full strength and is ready to roll.

He has already played 24 games this season and is averaging 20.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. The Knicks could use someone like Oladipo in their lineup.

With a dearth of talented players in the guard position, a player like Oladipo will be a massive upgrade. He will also be able to take some off the playmaking load off of Julius Randle and will add 20 points in a nightly basis.

The only downside of this move will be the reduced playtime for rookie guard Immanuel Quickley. Although he was only the 25th pick in the 2020 draft, Quickley has surprised everyone with his delicate touch on the court.

With teams looking to add some quality to their roster, the Knicks need to act fast if they want Oladipo in the team.