OKC Thunder: 2 trades to consider making for Kevin Knox

OKC Thunder trade No. 2) Al Horford heads to the Knicks

As we mentioned, the OKC Thunder are likely to be active at this year’s deadline, for they have veterans like Al Horford that, since arriving in the Sooner State, were not viewed as long-term commodities anyway.

This trade manages to do both the expected scenario of them partaking as sellers as well as fulfilling our hopes of them being buyers, as we see the veteran center heading to the Big Apple in exchange for Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina and two future second-round picks.

For the first time in a long time, the New York Knicks look to be gearing up for a postseason run this year, as they currently boast a record of 14-15 and rest soundly in the east’s sixth seed.

That said, with the injury to starting center Mitchell Robinson and the lack of veteran experience on the roster, if this team wants to keep on this upward trajectory, they may want to bring on some players who have ample experience in the postseason and with aiding in winning efforts.

Enter Horford.

Now in his 14th season in the league, the big man is a 5x All-Star who holds career averages of 14 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent shooting from deep and has 124 playoff games under his belt along with eight deep playoff runs and three appearances in the Conference Finals.

He could be a great filler at the five while Robinson recovers or, instead, could be a great big to roll off the bench to help space the floor, make smart plays, and serve as a leader for this youthful Knicks team.

In return, the OKC Thunder obviously bring back Knox who, though he may not be that sidekick we’ve been hoping to bring on to roll into the lineup alongside SGA, is a third-year player who still has the potential to become a solid rotation guy, especially as a floor-spacing wing — shooting 38 percent from deep this season while converting on 40 percent of his catch-and-shoot long-range attempts.

We also see the Thunder bring back another underwhelming Knicks lottery pick in Frank Ntilikina who, like Knox, has certainly not lived up to his lottery status, but is still just 22-years-old and could wind up being a quality role player down the road if provided the proper tutelage.

Boasting impressive size for a point guard (6-4 with a 7-1 wingspan) and stellar defensive instincts, the French-born baller is a raw talent who is still trying to come into his own in the league and, though he may not be a sharpshooter by any means, currently finds himself shooting a whopping 56 percent shooting from deep, giving the hope that he may have the potential to develop into a quality 3-and-D asset.