New York Knicks Receive: G Russell Westbrook, G Kent Bazemore, F Trevor Ariza, C DeAndre Jordan, Two Future Second Round Picks
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Kemba Walker, G/F Evan Fournier, F Kevin Knox II, C Nerlens Noel
In this deal between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, both teams are hitting the reset button on their biggest offseason acquisitions. Los Angeles restocks some of the depth that they surrendered when they acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards, while the Knicks move on from their free-agent signings in Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier and Nerlens Noel.
Los Angeles accepts the reality that Westbrook isn’t as good of a fit as they had hoped. So they bring in some players that will fit better alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis as floor spacers.
Kemba Walker is in the midst of the best shooting season of his career, knocking down 40.8 percent of his 3-point attempts. Fournier has struggled at times finding his niche with the Knicks but will have a simple role with the Lakers; spot up at the 3-point line and let James find him for open jumpers.
Noel will provide the Lakers with another option at the center spot as the DeAndre Jordan experiment has not panned out. He could split time there with Dwight Howard, providing the team with another defensive presence in the middle.
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Kevin Knox II is another potential floor spacer for the frontcourt. At 22-years old, he could be a long-term piece for the Lakers, who are lacking many future assets.
For New York, Westbrook would step into the starting five and hopefully jump start the group with his infectious energy and effort. Floor spacing would be a real issue for that starting five without Walker and Fournier, but they would hope to get some in Kent Bazemore and Trevor Ariza.
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This deal could also open up some playing time for younger players such as Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride and Jericho Sims to play rotation minutes. Getting out of Fournier’s contract may also be looked at as a win by some people.
