Knicks trade deadline target: Quentin Grimes’ future and needed host …
Monday afternoon’s collapse made even more clear what was already true.
The New York Knicks knew before their 98-94 loss to the Orlando Magic that they needed someone other than Jalen Brunson to spark their offense.
This was evident in how aggressively they’ve spoken to the rest of the league since moving on to OG Anunoby in late December.
The departures of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett meant the loss of contributors who could create off the dribble.
Now the Knicks are trying to recoup some of their losses.
They made phone calls throughout January asking other teams for ongoing help, according to league officials in contact with them.
The lack of additional creators becomes even more apparent considering how sluggish the offense has been in the last two games, when Brunson missed the game with a calf injury.
New York could use another broker behind the soon-to-be All-Star.
With almost three weeks until the NBA trade deadline, the Knicks’ priorities are taking shape.
The goal, according to a league source familiar with the organization’s thinking, is to bring in players who could help the team today and then strike attractive contracts in a hypothetical trade for next summer’s stars.
But in order to acquire talented players, they also have to give up something good.
The Knicks are actively pursuing an offer for the former first-round pick, according to rival executives in contact with New York’s front office.
This approach signals a change from just a year or two ago, when the Knicks held on to Grimes in trade talks.
The 23-year-old has recently fallen out of favor with head coach Tom Thibodeau, losing his starting shooting guard spot to Donte DiVincenzo on Dec.
8 and playing just 30 minutes per game in 2022-23.
Diminished.
He got down to 17 minutes and moved to the second car.
Find out more about Grimes, Knicks targets, potential helpers, Evan Fournier and more as the February 8 trade deadline approaches: