With the trade deadline just a month away, the New York Knicks have propelled themselves into contention on the back of an elite starting five. Their starting five has a +4.5 net rating with an elite offensive rating of 117.2. However, the flip side of the same argument is that the Knicks starting five have played 688 minutes together. The next highest minute count? Minnesota’s starting lineup with 430 minutes on the court. The Knicks have no other lineup with even 100 minutes together.
This overdependence on the starting five has helped the new team gel together, but it has come at the expense of some sloppy losses. In close games against good teams, they look tired down the stretch, often outhustled and outscored by their opponents when it matters. To further this matter, the Knicks are 6-7 in clutch games this season, with a 21st-ranked -8.6 net rating.
To strengthen their bench, the Knicks recently announced that they had put Jericho Sims on the trade market, opening up all sorts of opportunities and possibilities for Leon Rose to flex his abilities. So, what do the Knicks need as they hit this trade deadline?
Knicks’ Needs as Trade Deadline Looms
Wings
Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby are the top three on the total minutes played list this season. Between the three of them, they have played over 46% of all possible Knicks’ minutes. Except for these three (and Precious Achiuwa), they have no one else under a standard contract listed as a forward. Most of Precious’ minutes are spent at the five, and when even one of their wings’ sits, the Knicks play a three-guard lineup. They are in dire need of serviceable wings who can play on both sides at the deadline.
Despite their defensive brilliance in years past, Anunoby and Bridges have not made the impact fans thought they would. It’s middling when Anunoby is on the court, but at least teams are worse by 1.7 points per possession when he’s on the court. With Bridges, on the other hand, it’s a below-average unit, and teams are 1.6 better when he’s on the court. According to every defensive metric, Bridges has been a net negative defender this year.
Offensively, their individual performances haven’t been much better for the Knicks. Both are on pace for their second-worst year in terms of three-point shooting and have very average advanced offensive numbers. Lack of rest in games is definitely a factor. The more minutes you play, the more tired you likely get. The biggest part of defense is your ability to move across the floor, and being tired hurts your athleticism. The same could be said for the three-ball, which needs to be launched from far away from the basket, requiring a certain amount of strength.
Defensive-Minded Players
While there are offensive concerns about Bridges and Anunoby, Josh Hart’s offensive leap (14.3 points on career-high efficiency), and elite numbers from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson have helped cover those inefficiencies. However, this has come at a cost. In the 14 high-scoring games the Knicks have been a part of (opponents score 120+), the Knicks are 4-10.
Towns and Brunson aren’t great defenders on a regular day. When they have to shoulder a massive offensive load, their defense gets worse than it is, opening up easy opportunities. Adding defensive-minded players will help the Knicks against other playoff-caliber teams with elite offenses. This will help the Knicks rest their key starters and not give up their advantages, something they do not have the luxury of doing.
The Last Word
The Knicks need good defensive-minded players/wings if they want a shot at the title. Improving their depth will help the Knicks add a new variance to these games, and will make sure the team is healthier and more effective come playoff time. They will be able to mix their strategies so that they can keep opponents on their toes and must add some players with the limited flexibility that they have.
The post Knicks’ Needs as Trade Deadline Looms appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.