NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks likely to trade Wayne Ellington ahead of trade deadline

What's the rumor?

In the weeks leading up to the season, the New York Knicks repeatedly asserted that they could contend in a weak Eastern Conference, although the team has been awful through the first month of the season.

The Knicks have lost eleven of their opening fifteen games, and it is clear that the current roster needs changes. While plenty of players have been linked with an exit, Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors believes that Wayne Ellington is among the individuals most likely to be traded:

(Ellington) will have more value to a playoff team than he will as a bench player in New York. Ellington’s contract is team-friendly — a trade partner would only have to send out about $4.52MM in outgoing salary to match his $8MM cap hit, and he could easily be waived in the offseason with a minimal impact on a club’s 2020/21 cap if he doesn’t work out.

In case you didn't know...

Ellington was among several veteran names that the Knicks signed in the aftermath of missing out on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The 31-year-old finished the 2018-19 season with the Detroit Pistons averaging 12.0 points and 2.1 rebounds, although his minutes have been at a career-low since his move to New York, and the veteran is averaging just 3.8 points per game.

The heart of the matter

Ellington remains a reliable wing, and he has shown over the past two years that he can contribute on a playoff team. With his path to a bigger role with the Knicks seemingly blocked, he is likely to be moved ahead of the trade deadline - and he could be a good pick up for a team such as the Trail Blazers.

What's next?

The Knicks will be looking to move off the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings as they take on the struggling San Antonio Spurs later tonight.