'Boomer And Gio': Could Russell Be Answer For Knicks' Long Point Guard Search?

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The Knicks' search for a great point guard seems neverending. 

"I'm trying to think the last truly great point guard they had. Mark Jackson?" Boomer Esiason said on Tuesday's "Boomer and Gio" show. 

Esiason's co-host, Gregg Giannotti, was a fan of the point guard combo of Chris Childs and Charie Ward in the 1990s. But point noted.

"It's just been this trotting through of a bunch of lottery picks who stink," Gio said.

"They can't find a point guard," Boomer added. "It's almost like trying to find a quarterback in the NFL. Like when you get a chance to grab one and draft one, you have to, and hopefully they turn out."

Now, just a couple of days before Thursday's trade deadline, there are reports linking the Knicks to Warriors star D'Angelo Russell, a 23-year-old point guard who was an All-Star selection last season with the Nets. 

"Even a lot of those point guards that have been through here, I mean, they're all still playing, but they're all playing bit roles," Esiason said. "They're not the stars. And D'Angelo Russell would be a star here, as he proved over in Brooklyn."

The Athletic reported Monday that the Knicks and Warriors have discussed potential trade packages involving Russell. The Minnesota Timberwolves are also reportedly interested in Russell, who is averaging a career-high 23.8 points this season.

Warriors guard D'Angelo Russell shoots against Pelicans forward Derrick Favors on Dec. 20, 2019, at Chase Center in San Francisco.   Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Images

A former No. 2 overall pick by the Lakers, Russell is in the first season of a four-year, $117.3 million contract.

"Really what it comes down to they haven't really seen him play with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson," Boomer said of the Warriors. "They'd like to see that. But then again, if somebody's going to be aggressive enough to try to get him and give them some salary cap relief going into the offseason for the Warriors, then I could see maybe them trading him. But they'd probably be better served by trading him in the offseason than trading him now."

Added Giannotti: "You've just got to make sure that you have that flexibility if any free agent actually wants to come to New York that you're not hamstrung by terrible contracts."

To listen to the open from Tuesday's "Boomer and Gio" show, click on the audio player above.