Knicks predicted to cut ties with underappreciated $13 million guard via trade originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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It’s unclear if the New York Knicks will make a move of any magnitude this trade season.
The franchise has the assets to complete a deal, but there’s a chance it will be content to move forward with its current roster.
With the Knicks experiencing a rough patch during a pivotal stage of the season, Sports Illustrated’s Jayesh Pagar believes that trading a valuable second-unit guard who doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves would be a viable option.
“While the franchise didn’t, McBride may secretly be the one who is going to move most likely because his value-to-contract ratio is so very attractive throughout the league,” Pagar wrote Monday.
“He delivers defense, spot-up shooting, and overall toughness, and he is still on a low salary with one more year of team control, which makes him the perfect ‘good salary’ to add in bigger trades.”
Although McBride showed flashes of being a reliable bench asset with the Knicks during the first four years of his tenure, he has taken a significant leap with the franchise in Year 5.
McBride, an evolving three-and-D wing, is averaging a career-best 13.1 points per game on 43.9% field goal shooting and 43.1% three-point shooting in 32 outings with New York this season.
It’s safe to say the West Virginia product has raised his trade value this season, allowing the Knicks to move him for an impactful rotational backcourt or frontcourt piece if they choose to do so.
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