It has been a busy day for sports with the NBA trade deadline today. The Cleveland Cavaliers have created a lot of buzz in shipping out a lot of players on their roster. The New York Knicks, however, have gotten guard Emmanuel Mudiay from the Denver Nuggets.
The Knicks have had a decent season, but run the risk of not reaching the playoffs yet again. NYK fans know it all too well, doing well at the beginning of the season and then falling out of place. The team has flattened to 23-32 in the Eastern Conference at the 11th spot.
The trade
Right at the deadline, Emmanuel Mudiay is a nice addition to this team.
Fans will have to see what is going to happen, as the team also has rookie Frank Ntilkina and Trey Burke. Mudiay is a good player who can penetrate and create for teammates and score in the paint. He will get more minutes and more chances with his new team.
The team will be losing Doug McDermott, who will go to Dallas as stated in an article in the New York Post. The article states that: "The Knicks feel Mudiay is similar to Elfrid but has better talent potential, said one NBA executive who has spoken to the club's brass." The team is correct in the sense that the player could bring a lot to the table and that he has potential.
The guard's season
Emmanuel Mudiay has had a decent season with the Nuggets.
He has a lot of upside with his talent and the fact that he is only 21 years of age. The Knicks are looking to get young talent to build for the future and this is what this acquisition does.
The Point Guard has averaged about "nine points a game off the bench." Rookie Frank Ntilikina has shown tiny flashes of brilliance, but still is trying to develop a jumper.
Although, he has played excellent defense with the Knicks and shown up in close games, sinking key shots. Ntilkina has upside just like Mudiay.
The team is also inquiring about Frenchman Guerschon Yabusele who is a 6'9 athletic power forward and center. The team can use him after losing their star player in Porzingis.
Playoff chances
Despite the trade, the Knicks will most likely not make the postseason. The team suffered a big blow losing franchise player Kristaps Porzingis to a torn ACL, as he was having a great season.
The Eastern Conference has been more competitive this season as many teams are battling for spots. The team needs to keep their composure and try to win as many games as possible to even stand a chance of making a playoff spot. The team will need to make moves in the offseason to get better and hope Kristaps Porzingis comes back as the same player after a devasting injury. All the team can do now is look toward the future and to next season.
