The NY Knicks could look at trade deals this offseason heading into the NBA draft and free agency, as players like Reggie Jackson and Brandon Jennings could be potential targets, as the Detroit Pistons have reportedly shown interest in Tim Hardaway Jr. and this comes as New York is expected to target Greg Monroe with a free agent deal this summer.
The Knicks have the fourth overall pick in the draft on Thursday and reports have the team considering a trade down in the first round. The team has been mentioned in trade rumors regarding Eric Bledsoe and the Suns and now another possibility has emerged. According to Ian Begley at ESPN New York, the Pistons could be interested in a deal for Tim Hardaway Jr. and it could involve point guard Brandon Jennings or Reggie Jackson, who is going to be a restricted free agent.
Any move likely would include Jennings over Jackson, as the Pistons traded for Jackson last season at the deadline and that could make Jennings expendable. The Pistons are expected to keep Jackson, but they could look at a trade if he doesn't want to sign a long term contract. The team had the same issue with Greg Monroe last season, but they did not seriously consider trading Monroe. Begley wrote that the Pistons "have interest in Hardaway Jr." and notes that "former NBA star Tim Hardaway Sr., Hardaway Jr.'s father, is an assistant coach with the Pistons."
While that may not be reason enough for a deal, the Pistons likely will shop Jennings this offseason and the Knicks could look at him as a potential option. The team reportedly is going to chase Goran Dragic and Rajon Rondo in free agency, but if those deals don't work out they could look at trades. According to the Sporting News, the Suns are sopping Eric Bledsoe and they have talked to the Knicks about a deal. The team is expected to spend big in free agency this summer, but they likely would have to use their trade exception for Jennings and his $8.3 million salary, according to Begley.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Stan Van Gundy said that the Pistons have not been talking to the Knicks about a deal and said that "some things at least might be overblown" regarding the situation. Either way, the Pistons are interested in keeping Jackson and they likely will make a play for Monroe as well. Frank Isola of the Daily News reported last month that sources said Monroe to New York "is as close to done" as can be, but a lot can happen between the draft and the start of free agency.
Hardaway has potential and he has been solid at times for the Knicks since being drafted a couple years ago, but so far he has not broken through for the team. Last season Hardaway averaged 11 points and 2.2 rebounds per game with 1.8 assists and all of those were career highs for the guard. As a rookie Hardaway averaged 10 points per game in 23 minutes per contest and he could be a potential trade option for the Pistons depending on what happens with Jackson.
Check here for more on the interest in Hardaway, Jennings and Jackson.
