Knicks predicted to make point guard trade involving 6-foot-7 Olympic star originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Life could be better for the New York Knicks. 

Although New York is 11-6 and receiving high-level contributions from its Big Four (Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby), the franchise has several issues that should be addressed sooner rather than later.

The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III believes the Knicks should make a point guard trade involving a 6-foot-7 Olympic star to help solve their glaring second-unit backcourt problem. 

“The only way to strengthen it (frontcourt) now is to hope (Guerschon) Yabusele turns a corner sooner rather than later, or make a trade,” Edwards wrote Wednesday. “If I’m the Knicks, though, I’m addressing backup point guard before adding another big man to the fold.”

“New York needs another ballhandler who can get into the paint and create shots for teammates, as well as someone who can be a solid point-of-attack defender.”

“Any medium-sized Knicks trade likely has to involve Yabusele, Miles McBride, one or two of the young guys, a pick, or a combination of all of those things.”

Yabusele, who was a standout contributor for France in the 2024 Olympics, hasn’t lived up to the billing thus far.

The former No. 16 overall pick revived his previously declining NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 50.1% from the field and 380% from deep.

However, Yabusele hasn’t enjoyed the same level of productivity with the Knicks this season, as he’s barely a part of Mike Brown’s rotation to start the year. 

Similarly, in the backcourt, Tyler Kolek hasn’t made the kind of impact the Knicks hoped for off the bench, leaving Brunson without a viable backup. 

The Marquette product is only contributing 3.1 points and 1.7 assists per game, shooting 45.7% from the field and 29.4% from three.

If New York is serious about getting Brunson the help he needs and another franchise agrees to take Yabusele off the Knicks’ hands for good, a trade for a serviceable second-unit point guard could materialize.

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