The NY Knicks have been a complete mess this season and now backup point guard Beno Udrih has asked for a trade and rumors are already starting about where he could possibly go, as the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings or Mavericks could be interested in the veteran.
Udrih signed with the Knicks late in the offseason and was expected to be a solid contributor for the club behind Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni, but that hasn't worked out on all fronts. According to ESPN.com, Udrih has requested a trade and the team is willing to meet his demand and said they will try to move him if they can and teams like the Bulls and Spurs could emerge. Udrih has been averaging less than six points off the bench and has been just good enough for the team in spots and it isn't too much of a hit apart from depth, as the team signed him to the one-year veteran's deal.
The Knicks have been mostly a mess this season and while they are in contention for the top eight in the east, it has been a much tougher battle than anyone expected after winning 50 games and the division last season. Udrih is signed to a $1.27 million contract and while he played for the starters when they came down with injuries, he was marginalized to just four minutes in the loss against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday and that may have been what sparked the trade request, as his frustration may have been mounting for some time. This season Udrih hasn't been a major contributor, but he has been averaging 5.9 points and 3.7 assists in 19.9 minutes per game.
Udrih made some comments around Christmastime that sounded like frustration, as he mentioned that despite feeling like "he does the right thing", what he does is "not the right thing" to some people. Udrih did not elaborate on those comments, but it fits within the grown narrative around the Knicks and now the 31 year old veteran will likely be moving on if the Knicks can swing a deal for him. Udrih has butted heads a bit with Mike Woodson this season and with the team way under .500, looks like a split is coming. The Knicks played better to start the year, but after going on a mini winning streak, they have slid back and will need a great second half to get into top playoff contention.
