Since I have last reported, the Knicks new record is 15 and 17 ranked 7th in the eastern conference meaning technically right now we are in the playoff zone. Normally eight teams can make the playoffs, but this year is a little different. In this season, the ninth and tenth seed have play- in games so technically speaking the seventh and eighth seed does not secure a spot in the playoffs. The teams in those spots just have a better chance at remaining in playoff contention per the NBA. With the Knicks on a roll and Julius Randle being named the first Knicks all-star since 2013, they are looking at a promising season– but what moves can they make to secure a spot?

They have already made a decent trade move shipping expiring contract DSJ and a second rounder for Derrick Rose. Elfrid Payton (our starting PG) is good for the time being but not for the future and with Austin Rivers not playing anymore, we have moves to make for the PG position.  

We also have Fifteen million in extra cap space per the Knicks and if this is not used by the March 15th trade deadline, we will use the cap room. In other words, in the new few weeks we can take on a player with a bigger contract and be fiscally stable to do that so we might as well.

With injuries taking place, Kevin Knox, a young three- point shooting SF, got a decent amount of minutes and hit some nice shots with confidence. Knox has shown that he can play and with him not getting minutes in the rotation the Knicks may be looking to move him before the deadline.

Now that I have explained the moves we can make with extra cap money and players who are not playing or are not quite good enough to start on a playoff team I will be riddling off some bigger trades moves that are rumored to be made.

Bradley Beal and Cj McCollum are among the two star shooting guards the Knick have their eyes on right now. We can play it safe and make the playoffs making lights and small little moves that we can random into flop trades and also get new key pieces for our future. If the Knicks perhaps wanted to trade for Beal or CJ, in reality we would have to give up assets and also a good future star.

Real talk– a trade for Beal would look something like this:

• NYK Bradley Beal → WWW RJ Barrett and three-four first round picks.
• NYK CJ McCollum → PTB Alec Burks, Payton, and one – two first rounders

This is a lot to give up but that leads us to a question of do we want to make a huge impact in the playoffs this season or just make them in general? 

With the trade deadline coming up, there are still many moves to be made. It really depends on what The Knicks want right now, to build a team and culture and get used to winning and make the playoffs, or make an impact in the playoffs but trade away a potential future star and assets?