Per the latest NBA rumors, The New York Knicks have reportedly shown interest in a pair of Utah Jazz trade candidates.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Knicks are keeping Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk on their radar ahead of this year’s NBA Trade Deadline:
The Knicks also registered trade interest in Utah’s Jordan Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk earlier in January, league sources told HoopsHype. “Whatever team can get Clarkson will be a game changer,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “I think he’s the best of the volume scorers available on the trade market.”
Clarkson and Olynyk have both appeared in many trade rumors this season. In fact, Scotto mentions that Olynyk “is considered Utah’s top trade candidate ahead of the deadline”:
Olynyk has drawn interest from various teams across the league, sources say, and is considered Utah’s top trade candidate ahead of the deadline by rival executives as he prepares to enter unrestricted free agency in the summer
However, it is unclear whether the 24-25 Jazz will move on from either of them.
This season, Clarkson is averaging 17.7 points and 4.8 assists per game. Olynyk, an upcoming free agent, is averaging 8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Clarkson and Olynyk have started just less than half the games they have played this year.
NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Interested in Utah Jazz Pair
Who Could the Knicks Trade?
The Knicks have had one of the best months of any team in the league. Now 31-17, the Knicks own the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and have won their last eight games. However, news broke recently that star Julius Randle will likely miss a few weeks with a shoulder injury.
Though it likely will not be a long-term problem, Randle’s injury may provide enough motivation for the Knicks to add a few reinforcements. This is why adding Olynyk and/or Clarkson may be appealing to the team.
One Knicks player who has been thrown out a lot in the rumor mill is Quentin Grimes. This year, Grimes is averaging 7.3 points on 39.5 FG%. However, Grimes’ 3-and-D playstyle makes him appealing to most teams in the NBA.
HoopsHype’s Scotto also mentioned that Grimes’ name has come up in talks with the Jazz:
Knicks guard Quentin Grimes, who was previously discussed in Donovan Mitchell trade talks, came up again in separate discussions for Clarkson and Olynyk with the Jazz, league sources told HoopsHype
Additionally. Scotto has previously reported the Knicks have a package in mind to receive “a potential upgrade”:
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.
The Last Word on the Latest NBA Rumors
For now, it seems increasingly like the Knicks will move on from Grimes. Furthermore, it seems just as likely the Jazz will trade Olynyk and/or Clarkson ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. A swap between the two teams makes sense.
This year’s NBA Trade Deadline is on Thursday, February 8, and the Jazz and Knicks are two teams to watch out for.
