New York Knicks: Potential trade targets to fix defensive issues

Trade rumors in the NBA are starting to pick up steam. We looked at how the New York Knicks can use the market to improve their defense.

Defense is still the problem for the New York Knicks (16-13). Appointing Kurt Rambis to fix the problem (after six games) hasn’t worked. Rambis was given the defense in part because the Knicks allowed over 100 points in their first six contests.

But since the announcement of Rambis’ new role on Nov. 9, the Knicks have only held five opponents under 100 points in 23 games, and two were the lowly Brooklyn Nets (7-21) and Dallas Mavericks (8-21).

Now let’s take a look at the strange defensive metrics for this team.

Thanks to strong defense from Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, and Kyle O’Quinn the Knicks are sixth in the league in covering the restricted area (per NBA.com).

So if the Knicks are so good at the rim why are they 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions?

Well, like most big men, those three don’t like to stray too far from their comfort zone.

Joakim Noah was supposed to be the do-everything defensive anchor who could make plays all over the court. So much for that.

A majority of the rotation has struggled individually on defense, and it’s hurting them in the paint. They’re 26th in opponent’s non-restricted area field goal percentage and 26th in opponent’s points in the paint.

New York’s weak defense has created a likely problem with fouling.

They’re 25th in personal fouls which creates easy opportunities for other teams at the free throw line. The Knicks are 27th in opponent’s free throw attempts per game.

Their biggest problem is still on the boards. They’re giving away baskets. They rank 29th in defensive rebounding percentage and 28th in opponent’s second chance points (via NBA.com).

It doesn’t look like the answer is in-house. If the Knicks are serious about fixing their defense and making a playoff push, they’ll need to make a trade. We looked at some options.

Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers

• Position: Center and Power Forward
• Age: 22 (04/10/1994)
• Height, Weight: 6’11” , 228 lbs.
• Career Averages: 29.5 minutes, 10.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.7 steals
• Career Slash Line: .491/.500/.601

Nerlens Noel is a dream scenario for the Knicks. His defensive metrics are as impressive as any other big man in the NBA.

Take a look at what he did in just his first two seasons if you don’t believe me.

He’s only going to get better. But unlike New York’s current bigs, Noel can do more than just protect the rim.

Check out this clip from Noel’s rookie season against the Houston Rockets. He steps out to the three-point line and guards James Harden one-on-one. Doesn’t get much more impressive than that.

He’s on the way out in Philadelphia. After complaining about a lack of playing time, Noel’s head coach removed him from the rotation. It’s not a matter of if the big man will be traded, but when.

But do the Knicks have the pieces to pull it off? Noel’s stock isn’t high, but he’s still just 22-years-old. It will take a first round pick and probably Kyle O’Quinn to pry him away from the reluctant Sixers. Some fans will balk at the notion of giving away a first rounder, but that shouldn’t be a deterring factor.

Some fans will balk at the notion of giving away a first rounder, but that shouldn’t be a deterring factor.

The Knicks won’t find a prospect who can offer more in the 2017 draft (in their projected spot outside of the lottery) than Noel.

Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings

• Position: Center
• Age: 23 (08/18/1993)
• Height, Weight: 7’0″ , 240 lbs.
• Career Averages: 18.9 minutes, 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 0.6 steals
• Career Slash Line: .562/.000/.617

Willie Cauley-Stein was a strange pick by the Kings two seasons ago. He didn’t seem like a good fit with DeMarcus Cousins and Kosta Koufos.

It hasn’t worked. It’s not even half-way through his second season, and already the trade rumors are buzzing. It makes sense.

In 2015-16, Cauley-Stein and Cousins had a net rating of -2.9 per 100 possessions in their 596 shared minutes (via NBA.com). The experiment of starting them at power forward and center respectively was a colossal failure.

Both players are true centers.

Under new head coach Dave Joerger, Cauley-Stein has seen his playing time significantly diminish. Through 26 games he’s struggling to crack the rotation, averaging just 12.5 minutes per game and logging 20-plus only minutes three times.

Cauley-Stein is a cheaper version of his former college teammate at Kentucky, the aforementioned Nerlens Noel. Not because he isn’t a skilled player, but because he’ll require a much smaller haul than the Sixers star.

Cauley-Stein has shown the ability to do a lot of the things that Noel can do, just not on a consistent basis. With a decrease in playing time this season (under a defensive-minded coach) his stock has taken a hit.

The Knicks should take advantage of a potential bargain here.

Check out this. Then try and say Cauley-Stein doesn’t have tremendous potential.

Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Age: 34 (01/11/1982)
• Height, Weight: 6’4″ , 213 lbs.
• Career Averages: 22.0 minutes, 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.3 assists
• Career Slash Line: .477/.279/.716

Tony Allen is one of the greatest defenders in the history of the Association. His scoring numbers have never been gaudy, but he could end up in the Hall of Fame someday.

It feels like Allen should remain with the Grizzlies forever. He’s become a symbol of that franchise. But recently he’s been linked to teams like the Lakers in trade rumors.

Any team in need of a perimeter defender would be lucky to have Allen. He turns 35-years-old in January but is still one of the best in the business at what he does.

If you’ve never seen Allen at work. This video gives a good indication as to the greatness you’ve been missing.

In 13 seasons, Allen has never posted a negative defensive box plus-minus rating and netted an individual defensive rating of more than 105 just twice.

The incredible consistency behind that feat shows how good the former All-Defensive First Team player still is.

He’s 10th all-time in Nba history in career steal percentage after finishing in the top-10 five different times. While on pace to do it for the sixth time in 2016-17, Allen’s still got it.

The savvy veteran gets under the opponent’s skin with his physical defense and trash-talking.

Allen is more than just stats. He won a championship with the Celtics in 2008 and could be a valuable voice in the locker room.

Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

• Position: Small Forward
• Age: 30 (08/17/1986)
• Height, Weight: 6’8″ , 230 lbs.
• Career Averages: 35.6 minutes, 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals
• Career Slash Line: .452/.344/.795

You might be scratching your head at this one. The Knicks are set at small forward, and Rudy Gay has a player option for next season of over $14 million.

Think about it this way: Gay is a better defender than Anthony and capable of guarding both forward positions.

A small ball lineup of Rose, Lee, Gay, Anthony, and Porzingis will be lethal from the perimeter and deadly in transition. When it comes to defense and rebounding, they shouldn’t have the same struggles as other small lineups.

Gay and Anthony are both good rebounders for their position, and Lee is one of the better perimeter defenders in the league.

Of course, all of this speculation means nothing if Gay isn’t willing to sacrifice some individual production and come off the bench. He might not be that kind of guy.

The former Memphis Grizzly has made it clear that he wants out of Sacramento however. But how bad does he want it?

Will Barton, Denver Nuggets

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Age: 25 (01/06/1991)
• Height, Weight: 6’6″ , 175 lbs.
• Career Averages: 19.0 minutes, 8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals
• Career Slash Line: .423/.311./787

After toiling in mediocrity for three seasons, Will Barton burst onto the scene as a sixth man for the Denver Nuggets in 2015-16.

Because of the modest beginning to his career, Barton has an incredible contract. He makes just over $3 million over the next two seasons. That makes him an attractive option to plenty of teams.

Barton is known for his scoring, but he’s also one of Denver’s best defensive players.

Barton’s length (he has nearly a 6-foot-10 wingspan) gives him an advantage against most defenders.

Barton can help the Knicks out on the glass too.

He’s one of the best rebounding guards in the league. During his breakout 2015-16 campaign, Barton was fifth among all guards in rebounds per game.

• Alll my stats come from Basketball-Reference unless otherwise noted.