The NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline is fast approaching, and it is starting to look like there won’t be a lot of movement in total this season prior to that deadline.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could be on the move, although it seems more likely he will be moved this summer. The Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and, of course, the New York Knicks are thought to be in the running for the services of the two-time MVP.
Of more immediate need for the Knicks is some serviceable frontcourt depth off the bench. To that end, they, along with the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, have reportedly inquired about New Orleans Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey, per Evan Sidery.
“The Knicks, Lakers and Suns are among the teams to recently inquire with the Pelicans on Saddiq Bey,” Sidery wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Over the past month, Bey is averaging 21.2 points, 6 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 44.4% on threes.
“Bey is generating strong trade interest during his hot stretch.”
Bey is 26 years old, stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 215 pounds. Coming into Monday, he was averaging 16.5 points and 5.9 rebounds a game, but as Sidery noted, he went on a tear in January. He has a reputation as a hard-working defender who is also a reliable 3-point shooter, which makes him exactly the type of player both New York and Los Angeles need in order to take the next step.
New York defeated the Lakers, 112-100, on Sunday, giving it a 31-18 record and allowing it to remain in second place in the Eastern Conference. But while the team has been excellent offensively, it needs some improvement defensively, as well as a stronger bench.
Although Knicks coach Mike Brown is using his bench much more than his predecessor, Tom Thibodeau, ever did, the Knicks still rank 28th in the NBA in bench points per game. They have been using Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson, both of whom are 6-foot-5 guards, as their backup small forwards. That isn’t exactly a championship formula, especially for a franchise that hasn’t won it all since 1973.
Newsweek