Phil Jackson says the New York Knicks are set at the point guard position. The team currently has Langston Galloway and Jose Calderon on the roster and Jackson believes that will be enough in 2015 to help turn the team around. While the Knicks have gotten linked to several options at the position, Jackson has his sights set on defensive help and getting an elite center to help on the court. Despite having Eric Bledsoe dangled in front of them, could the Knicks get active in a trade for DeMarcus Cousins?
There are conflicting reports coming out regarding the status of Cousins. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, head coach George Karl is pushing the Sacramento Kings to trade the center heading into the NBA Draft. Karl has reportedly been looking to shop Cousins for some time now since taking over the team towards the end of the regular season. However, ESPN is reporting the Kings will not allow Karl to ship out Cousins, believing the center is the player to build around for the future. Regardless, teams are looking to at least test the waters of a Cousins trade and the Knicks could be one of them.
According to HoopsHabit.com, the Knicks could be a landing spot for Cousins as Jackson looks for established players over rookies. The issue is New York lacks an enticing trade package. The No.4 pick in the draft is nice, but Wojnarowski reports that if the Kings are sending away Cousins, they want established players in return. That means getting rid of Carmelo Anthony. He is the only player worth the value of Cousins in the eyes of Sacramento. Sure the Knicks could try and toss in Tim Hardaway Jr, Langston Galloway and Lou Amundson, but Anthony is the player the Kings would want.
The chances the Knicks get into the mix for Cousins are slim to none. The reported trade deal for Bledsoe could be the better move. ESPN's Ian Begley, the Knicks are eyeing a trade down from the No.4 pick. The Phoenix Suns are looking to capitalize as Sporting News reports the team is willing to offer Bledsoe and the No.13 pick for the Knicks spot on the draft board. That would benefit New York. They get an established point guard and a move down the board to acquire someone like Willie Cauley-Stein, Kevon Looney or Frank Kaminsky whom they have all worked out before the draft.
Jackson could be favoring the Phoenix deal since it gives him veterans and draft picks. New York could easily stay put and draft someone like Justise Winslow at the No.4 spot, but Bledsoe is the better upgrade from Galloway or Calderon.