Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |
The Knicks have been in touch with several teams around the league to monitor the trade landscape, so it's not particularly noteworthy that they are among the teams who have touched base recently with the Golden State Warriors.
What is somewhat noteworthy is that several teams say the Warriors are looking to making a trade to help them avoid the luxury tax this season or one that would reduce their future luxury tax bill, per SNY sources.
The Knicks, of course, can help with that effort. They have several players with contracts that aren't guaranteed past this season. So, if they traded one or more of those players to Golden State, it could reduce the Warriors future tax commitments.
ESPN reported that the Warriors could face a $75 million tax with the updated luxury tax projection for 2020-21. That figure is based on Golden State paying the dreaded repeater tax, which is in effect for teams that pay the tax in three of the previous four seasons.
If Golden State gets below the luxury tax this season, they will avoid paying the repeater tax. There are a number of smaller transactions that could get Golden State below the luxury tax this season.
Also, if the Warriors traded guard D'Angelo Russell, there are scenarios where they could shed some salary to help them towards a goal of getting under the tax this season. There are also scenarios where a Russell trade could reduce the Warriors' future tax bills.
Just something to keep in mind as we get closer to Thursday's 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline.
Other notes...
Several teams have had conversations with the Knicks about potential deals involving Bobby Portis recently, per sources. Portis signed a two-year deal worth $15 million annually that isn't fully guaranteed for next season. He is averaging 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 21 minutes per game for New York. Portis is shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc.
SNY sources confirm that some with the Knicks would like to see the club pursue a point guard at the trade deadline, as the NY Daily News reported. OKC's Dennis Schroeder is among the point guards believed to be available. As noted earlier, the Knicks see Charlotte's Malik Monk as a potential trade target -- teams believe that the Knicks and Marcus Morris have strong mutual interest in Morris signing with New York in free agency this summer; this will impact Morris' value to teams interested in trading for him.