![Luka Doncic, the top prospect out of Europe, recorded 20 and 10 for Real Madrid vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv – [image credit: 24kobemon/youtube]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/11/13/660x290/b_502x220x82/luka-doncic-the-top-prospect-out-of-europe-recorded-20-and-10-for-real-madrid-vs-maccabi-tel-aviv-image-credit-24kobemonyoutube_1689823.jpg "Luka Doncic, the top prospect out of Europe, recorded 20 and 10 for Real Madrid vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv – [image credit: 24kobemon/youtube]")
The New York Knicks are dealing with a surplus of talent at the center position. This logjam issue has become even more complicated following the return of former All-Star center Joakim Noah from a 20-game suspension. Now, Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is having a dilemma on how to allocate minutes for four active centers – five if Kristaps Porzingis is included - on their roster.
It’s still early in the 2017-18 NBA season, but a trade appears to be the only solution to the Knicks’ problem. According to Marc Beerman of the New York Post, the Knicks have been fielding offers for veteran center Kyle O’Quinn.
The 27-year old big man has increased his draft stock significantly since the start of the season, after averaging 7.1 points and 6.0 rebounds through 11 games as a backup to starter Enes Kanter.
O'Quinn to the Bucks
Beerman added that O’Quinn could be an intriguing trade target for the Milwaukee Bucks, who just traded their backup center Greg Monroe to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for point guard Eric Bledsoe. Accommodating O’Quinn’s $4.3 million salary for this season won’t be a problem for the Bucks since they can use the $5 million trade exception they acquired from the previous trade. Based on O'Quinn's trade value, a second-round pick, or perhaps a heavily-protected first rounder, could be enough to hammer the deal.
A rising power in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks still have enough trade assets to further beef up their roster this season. While O’Quinn is a low-maintenance, high-character player who usually fits well with any team, Milwaukee is not ruling out the possibility of acquiring high-upside players such as Julius Randle, Jahlil Okafor, and Nerlens Noel at a reasonable price.
Cavs sizing up talented Euro guard
The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of three NBA teams (the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls are the others) that reportedly sent representatives to Israel for the purpose of scouting projected top-5 pick Luka Doncic. The 18-year-old Slovenian forward is considered by many NBA scouts and pundits as the most talented prospect in Europe.
At 6-foot-8, Doncic has the physical tools, superior basketball I.Q and a well advanced passing game to boot. He also possesses a potent outside shot that extends beyond the NBA 3-point range, making him a potential once-in-generation talent.
The Cavs’ representative was none other than general manager Koby Altman and his presence in Israel suggests that the team is very much intrigued with the Slovenian prodigy. Cleveland has the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick, which was the centerpiece of the trade haul they acquired from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Kyrie Irving. Many NBA pundits think the Nets’ pick could end up in the top-5 of next year’s draft. That scenario would put the Cavs in great position to add a promising young talent alongside LeBron James or perhaps draft a key rebuilding piece in the event the four-time NBA MVP bolts out again.
