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The New York Knicks, who are going through a tumultous time with nothing seemingly going their way, have been linked with many big-time NBA Trade Rumors but have consistently failed to convert them to fruition.
The best New York Knicks have finished is a lowly 11th in the Eastern Conference since they last made the NBA playoffs in 2013-14. After their six-game loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Conference semi-finals, New York Knicks have decided to shake up their roster.
To this date, they have been struggling to get anywhere close to the playoffs. The New York Knights have drafted poorly in the past few years and traded away their only star in Kristaps Porzingis in a questionable deal where they came off worse.
However, they do have some young players in RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. who could all develop into solid NBA players in the future. Perhaps what the New York Knicks require is an experienced head to make these young players blossom into top professionals.
On that note, let's take a look at five veteran players who the New York Knicks could bring in to lead their young squad.
NBA Trade Rumors: Rudy Gay could still score reliably for the New York Knicks
Career PPG - 17.1
Career RPG - 5.9
Career APG - 2.2
Career FGP - 45.6%.
Just when you thought Rudy Gay was done and dusted, the 34-year-old forward quietly played some amazing basketball for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA bubble. Gay played seven of the Spurs' eight games in the bubble and scored 19, 12, 24, 24, 14, 19 and 13 points in those games respectively - a healthy average of nearly 18 points per game.
Rudy Gay has been a fabulous scorer throughout the 14 seasons he has played in the NBA. While he is coming off his worst scoring season since his rookie year, Gay managed to prove in the bubble that he's far from done if given the right opportunities.
With the New York Knicks, he will get plenty of the ball to show the younger guys just how it is done. Rudy Gay hasn't been a part of many NBA Trade Rumors. The San Antonio Spurs might be willing to let Gay go as they look to rebuild with younger players, but his $14 million contract could make potential suitors a little repulsive.
Also Read: NBA News Update: Damian Lillard reacts after Michael Porter Jr. takes a dig at Mike Malone, Skip Bayless taunts LeBron James and LA Lakers.
NBA Trade Rumors: Marc Gasol could bring a winning mentality to the New York Knicks
Career PPG - 14.6
Career RPG - 7.6
Career APG - 3.4
Career FGP - 48.1%.
Marc Gasol often featured in many NBA Trade Rumors throughout the 2019-20 season and was close to being traded by the Toronto Raptors before the deadline.
Gasol, with his experience, helped the Raptors to an NBA Championship last season. But his utility on the court is presently at an all-time low as he averaged just 7.5 points per game this season.
The 35-year-old Marc Gasol is a big man with a vast skillset. He can post up like a traditional big, stretch the floor and knock down 3s and is also a very competent playmaker.
Gasol's contract runs out at the end of the season, so all the New York Knicks need to do is pay up. He should cost nowhere near the $25 million he is earning this season. But it might be difficult to convince him to come to New York if a championship contender shows interest in him.
Gasol is worth a try, especially given that the Knicks' brightest prospect - Mitchell Robinson - could do with an experienced campaigner like the Spaniard.
NBA Trade Rumours: Could Al Horford and his contract be worth it for the New York Knicks?
Career PPG - 13.9
Career RPG - 8.3
Career APG - 3.3
Career FGP - 52%.
After been swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference semi-finals, the Philadelphia 76ers look more likely than ever to try and rebuild. Irrespective of which direction they choose to proceed in, Al Horford is unlikely to be a part of their future plans.
The 76ers made a huge mistake by paying the 5-time All-Star a 4-year deal worth $109 million in the hope that he would help them contain Giannis Antetokounmpo in the NBA playoffs. But they never made it that far in the first place.
Al Horford's contract makes him extremely untradable, but that doesn't change the fact that he is a fabulous player and could be of utlity to the New York Knicks.
Like Marc Gasol, he can do a little bit of everything and is an excellent defender. He can also play the 4 better than Gasol. The reason why the New York Knicks could be interested in this deal is because the Philadelphia 76ers might be willing to part with a few more assets to get rid of Horford's contract.
NBA Trade Rumours: JJ Redick could finally bring some shooting to the New York Knicks
Career PPG - 13.1
Career RPG - 2.1
Career APG - 2.0
Career FGP - 44.8%.
One of the greatest 3-point shooters of all-time, JJ Redick, continues to defy the laws of ageing at 36.
He had the best scoring season of his career last season with the Philadelphia 76ers where he dropped over 18 points per game. Such is his reliability as a threat from outside the arc that the New Orleans Pelicans decided to pay him over $26 million for two years of his service. This season, he scored 15 points per game for them, shooting an insane 45% from the 3-point territory.
However, the Pelicans want to keep their roster as young as possible. So the New York Knicks could potentially convince them to give up Redick who missed the playoffs for the first time in his career this season.
Nobody in the New York Knicks roster shot as good as JJ Redick did this season, so clearly the young players in the team could learn a lot from a veteran like him.
NBA News Update: Carmelo Anthony could make a fairytale return to the New York Knicks
Career PPG - 23.6
Career RPG - 6.5
Career APG - 2.9
Career FGP - 44.8%.
After being written off by just about everyone in the NBA, Carmelo Anthony had a 2019-20 season to remember as he helped the Portland Trail Blazers clinch a playoff berth under difficult circumstances.
The 36-year-old Anthony showed he belongs in the league. As a starter, he came up clutch on several occasions for the Blazers in the bubble.
Anthony showed no signs of fatigue as he played well over 30 minutes every night, scoring over 15 points, grabbing six rebounds and shooting the 3-ball with an efficiency of 38.5% - the second best percentage in his legendary career so far.
Carmelo Anthony was the last true New York Knicks great to light up the Madison Square Garden. He scored nearly 25 points through seven seasons for New York Knicks and made the All-Star game in each one of them.
Melo is a certified New York Knicks legend, and it will be a great story if he returns to New York. However, he has openly talked about how grateful he is to the Portland Trail Blazers organisation and that he would return to them if given the chance.
Also Read: Powell saved Raptors' season, says VanVleet.
