The Knicks are reportedly holding back from making a trade deadline splash, and instead will look to make smaller improvements rather than sacrifice assets for their planned rebuild, but one NBA legend wants to see New York pounce.
Magic Johnson appeared on First Take on Tuesday and was adamant that the Knicks should make a play for Ball if the point guard is there for the taking, believing that Ball could be a key piece to turn New York into a legitimate playoff team, and give them the playmaking point guard they have craved for years.
“Julius Randle has been dominant, and they have some young guys who can get up and down the court,” Johnson said. “The problem is you don’t have a point guard pushing that route to create shots for the other guys. That’s what Lonzo does best. He’ll speed up the game.”
Johnson was part of the Lakers’ front office when the team drafted Ball in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft. Recent reports by The Athletic detailed Johnson’s decision-making at the time, saying the team took Ball because it was “too good of a Hollywood story to pass up.” Ball went before current stars like Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell.
Ball has been better since being traded to the Pelicans, averaging a career-high 14.2 points per game while shooting a career-best 42.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. While there are still concerns about his shooting, something the Knicks are familiar with when it comes to their own former first-round pick Frank Ntilikina, Johnson believes the other areas of Ball’s game will help take the Knicks to new heights, and turn a surprisingly competitive .500 team into a more legitimate threat.
“You know what the Knicks’ problem is? They don’t get easy baskets or easy layups,” Johnson said. “Everything is a halfcourt grind. If you’re going to win, especially in the playoffs, you need to get those easy buckets, and that’s what Lonzo specializes in.”
The Knicks are reportedly reluctant to part with young talent and high-end draft picks before the trade deadline, and could still have a chance to get Ball this summer, when he becomes a restricted free agent.
But the team is reportedly trying to facilitate a three-team deal that would minimize sacrificing assets, which could include finding a willing partner to take on Eric Bledsoe's contract.
The trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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