The New York Knicks are exploring trade options for center Jericho Sims ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
Sims, currently sidelined with back spasms, has fallen out of the Knicks’ rotation in recent games and could be moved to make room for additional frontcourt depth, as long as New York can convince someone to fall for the trap of trading for Jericho.
“Jericho Sims, recently removed from the Knicks rotation and inactive Monday with back spasms, is being shopped ahead of next month’s trade deadline, NBA sources who’ve been in contact with the team told The Post.” — Stefan Bondy
Sims, 26, has seen inconsistent minutes this season as he’s not quite cracked Thibs’ circle of trust.
Already 32 games into his fourth season as a pro with the Knicks, Sims is on pace to appear in the most games in a single year but we’ll see if he does that in NYC or elsewhere. This campaign, Sims is averaging 11.6 minutes per game while posting meager averages of 1.7 points and 3.6 rebounds.
Sims’ calling cards are obvious: his athleticism and defensive chops while on the court. His negatives are glaring on the offensive side, where he can only dunk or make either baby layups or tip-ins.
According to Bondy, the Knicks are seeking a second-round pick in exchange for the 58th overall selection from the 2021 draft, one who has amassed 170 games of experience over four seasons with career averages of 2.4 points and 4.0 rebounds.
Obviously, the Knicks need some mojo added to their bench but the options the franchise has when it comes to adding new pieces are limited at best, and inexistent at worst.
New York will—hopefully—welcome big man Mitchell Robinson back at some point between now and the All-Star break, but even then it’s not that Mitch will help that much on the scoring front.
So far this season, the likes of Ariel Hukporti, Tyler Kolek, Cam Payne, Precious Achiuwa, and Landry Shamet have fought for seventh-man minutes with Deuce McBride the clear-cut sixth man in Thibs rotation, albeit injured for his fair share of games.
When it comes to Knicks’ tradable assets, things look horrid, to say the least. New York is operating above the first salary cap apron, limiting their ability to take back significant salary in any deal and bring forced to, at most, receive a salary as high as the one getting dealt the other way but never higher than they’re getting rid of.
With Sims on an expiring $2.1 million contract, all other reserves—with the exception of Deuce—expendable but on tiny deals, and Mitch Robinson the only—perhaps, assuming other franchises want to take on an oft-injured center—kinda appealing player within the roster, Leon Rose & Co. will be hella limited in what they can do before the trade deadline in terms of flexibility and potential additions to boost an all-time-bad second unit.
Here’s hoping.