The New York Knicks have gotten off to a 14-7 start and are currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference, but you can’t help but feel somewhat underwhelmed by the way they’ve played thus far.
The Knicks could definitely use some depth along the wing in particular, so they should be expected to be rather active in trade talks between now and the NBA trade deadline.
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Of course, New York is relatively thin on assets thanks to blowing most of its draft capital, but it should still be able to cobble enough pieces together to swing an impactful move.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale has identified Chicago Bulls swingman Ayo Dosunmu as a potential trade target for the Knicks in the midst of what appears to be a breakout campaign for the 25-year-old, although netting him wouldn’t be easy.
“Ayo Dosunmu helps check a couple of wing-defense boxes while placating those who want the Knicks to deal for a backup playmaker,” Favale wrote. “Matching his $7.5 million salary requires a perfect storm of circumstances, particularly if New York wants to hang onto Deuce McBride.”
So, how could New York pry the former second-round pick away from Chicago?
“The Chicago Bulls have to be willing to take on Guerschon Yabusele (trade-eligible Dec. 15), have interest in Tyler Kolek and/or Pacome Dadiet and be ready to move Dosunmu without receiving first-round compensation,” Favale added.
To be perfectly honest, the chances of that happening seem rather slim.
Dosunmu is in the final year of a three-year, $21 million contract, so the Bulls may want to move him now before they have to pay him over the summer, but his value is increasing pretty rapidly.
The University of Illinois product is averaging 15.8 points and 3.1 assists over 27.8 minutes per game on 52.9/49.4/85.2 shooting splits this season.
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Is what Dosunmu is doing sustainable? He probably won’t keep shooting such a high percentage from downtown, but he owns lifetime 50.4/37.2/78.4 splits, so his efficiency (career 59.5 percent true shooting) has always been solid.
Dosunmu would definitely be a terrific get for the Knicks, but actually acquiring him would be an uphill battle, especially with plenty of other suitors surely in the mix.
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