The New York Knicks are expected to be active sellers in the trading market this season as they look to unload several contracts and achieve some sort of flexibility in their payroll moving forward. Other than franchise player Kristaps Porzingis, any player on the roster can be traded for a promising young player, draft picks, or just a cap relief.

NBA insider Ian Begley of ESPN New York mentioned four veterans whom the Knicks are trying to shop for assets. New York has until the mid-season trade deadline in February to reach a trade deal for center Joakim Noah, shooting guard Courtney Lee, forward Lance Thomas, and center Kyle O’Quinn.

Trading Noah will always be to be a challenge because of his overpriced contract ($17 million this season), while the market is thin for big men like Thomas and O’Quinn. On the other hand, the Knicks may not encounter any of these problems if they want to move Lee, who is still a productive player and playing on a reasonable contract ($12 million per year).

32-year-old Lee is averaging 9.8 points on 42 percent FG shooting with 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 31 minutes per game this season. He’s still an above-average perimeter defender, making him a more desirable trade target for teams looking for reliable a two-way player. There are no front-runners at the moment, but teams – especially playoff contenders – are expected to ramp up trade efforts for Lee weeks leading up to the trade deadline.

Nikola Mirotic

KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported on Saturday that Nikola Mirotic issued a “me or him ultimatum” to the Chicago Bulls front-office in the wake of a punching incident that landed him in the hospital and left Bobby Portis suspended for eight games.

Mirotic, who re-signed with the Bulls on a two-year, $27 million deal, no longer believes he can co-exist with Portis and is now asking the Bulls to trade either him or the third-year power forward.

Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports reported that the former Spanish League MVP is willing to waive his no-trade clause to make him trade eligible in January.

Bulls’ president John Paxson held an unscheduled press conference on Friday to discuss the Mirotic-Portis saga that puts the franchise in a hot mess. “We’re going to continue to communicate with Niko and his representatives and find our way through this.

It’s very important for us to do what’s in our best interest,” the Bulls executive said of the situation during the media briefing.

Eric Bledsoe

Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough had a discussion with the Milwaukee Bucks for a possible deal involving Eric Bledsoe and last year’s Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon. The Suns executive is currently looking for deal in which they can unload the disgruntled guard and get a promising young player in return.

The Bucks engaged in an exploratory talk with the Suns, but took a step back when Phoenix asked for Brogdon. Milwaukee was insisting on a package centered on point guard Matthew Dellavedova, who clearly doesn’t fit with Phoenix’s youth movement.
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