NBA Trade Rumors: 2 Knicks 'Dangling' in Talks
The New York Knicks and the rest of the NBA are inching closer toward the Feb. 8 trade deadline. Even though they previously worked out a deal for OG Anunoby in late December, the Knicks figure to be active, even if there's little chance of adding the paradigm-shifting superstar they've sought for so long.
New York could be aggressive thanks to an Anunoby-induced surge (8-2 since he entered the lineup on Jan. 1) and that could spell the end of the Manhattan line for veterans Evan Fournier and Quentin Grimes.
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HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto is reporting that the Knicks are "dangling" Fournier and Quentin Grimes in trade discussions with other teams. Both have been with the Knicks since the 2021-22 season, one of six players left over from that group that failed to build on the momentum of a run to the fourth playoff seed the year prior.
"The New York Knicks are primarily dangling the expiring contract of Evan Fournier, young asset Quentin Grimes, and draft pick compensation for a potential upgrade, league sources told HoopsHype," Scotto writes. "While the Knicks have been linked to Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, as previously reported here on HoopsHype, New York is gauging the market to see what else that potential package can fetch."
Fournier, who has a $19 million team option next season, has been long-removed from New York's rotation and has been open to a trade for a while. Considering his lack of playing time (39 minutes in three games this season), trading Fournier would likely require the Knicks to attach some of draft compensation.
Ironically enough, Fournier's spot in the starting five was commandeered by Grimes, who has since been moved to the bench in favor of Donte DiVincenzo. Grimes, a first-round pick in 2021, has rediscovered some of his offensive spark in the second unit but has struggled to gain minutes in the new year.
That was particularly apparent when starting point guard Jalen Brunson sat out two games last week: rather than Grimes, the nod was given to Miles McBride, who set career-bests in scoring in back-to-back games.
"It’s no guarantee the Knicks trade Grimes before Feb. 8. No deal is imminent, according to team sources," Fred Katz of The Athletic writes. "But the wheels are already turning on a possible exit. If New York doesn’t part with Grimes in the next three weeks, it could finally pull the trigger this upcoming summer."
Preparing for what could be a lucrative second half, the Knicks (25-17) need a backup power forward to spell Julius Randle and three-point shooting, which has improved but not to the standards of the NBA's finest. With RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley already dealt in the Anunoby deal, Fournier and Grimes probably stand as the most likely transactional options, at least among those with names at this point.
