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New York Knicks mock blow up: Carmelo Anthony to the Los Angeles Clippers

Robbie Stratakos
New York Knicks mock blow up: Carmelo Anthony to the Los Angeles Clippers 11
Feb 19, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Eastern Conference forward Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks (7) in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates after a dunk against the Charlotte Hornets with New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Who’s off the Table?

While the Knicks do need to get busy on the trade front, there are a few players who should be off the table in trade talks. Forward Kristaps Porzingis is one of them.

The 21 year old Latvian forward has taken the next step in his game, and it’s imperative that the Knicks begin formatting their roster around him. Fellow big man Willy Hernangomez is another player the Knicks need to start building around.

The 22-year-old Spanish center has been a bright spot for the Knicks this year. He’s been a presence on both ends of the floor. He posts up, grabs both offensive and defensive rebounds, and is a solid defensive force. His youth and potential upside to grow into a tower down low make him a valuable asset for the Knicks. The same goes for guard Ron Baker.

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The rookie Baker hasn’t received a ton of playing time this year, but he’s shown that he can play. He’s been a two-way player; he’s come in and hit the three ball, and has been an excellent on-ball defender. Guard Courtney Lee has done the same and given his reasonable four-year, $50 million contract the Knicks should look to keep him on their roster as well.

Also, while they’d probably love to get his massive 72 million dollar deal off their hands, center Joakim Noah is virtually untradeable. He hasn’t produced to the level the Knicks had envisioned, and he has been outplayed by both Willy Hernangomez and center Kyle O’Quinn. Who is tradeable, though?

Here are four deals the Knicks could make before Thursday’s trade deadline.

[sc name=”Knicks Link Next” link=”elitesportsny.com/2017/02/20/new-york-knicks-mock-blowup-carmelo-anthony-los-angeles-clippers-373/3/” text=”Trading Brandon Jennings” ]
Robbie Stratakos
Robbie Stratakos

Robbie Stratakos is a New York Knicks/Giants Beat Writer for Elite Sports NY (ESNY); he also covers the NBA nationally. He previously wrote at Last Word On Pro Basketball and Empire Writes Back. In addition to writing for ESNY, Robbie is an MLB columnist at Baseball Essential. He previously wrote at HardBallScoop - part of Scout/CBS Interactive/247Sports, Last Word On Baseball and District On Deck. He is attending Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York. Follow him on twitter @RPStratakos