The New York Knicks are in the middle of another solid NBA season that has them sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-15 record. Jalen Brunson continues to play at a very high level, and the recent acquisition of 3-and-D wing OG Anunoby is already paying dividends, as they’re on a five-game winning streak that started with Anunoby’s debut on New Year’s Day.
One of the Knicks’ big strengths is their frontline, but that frontline was dealt a serious blow when big man Mitchell Robinson suffered a severe ankle injury about a month ago that required surgery.
At first, it was thought he would miss about a couple of months, but then the team figured he had a good chance of being sidelined for the rest of the season. To that end, it is reportedly looking to target the Washington Wizards’ Daniel Gafford in a potential trade.
“As the Knicks continue to look for a fill-in for Mitchell Robinson during his maybe-season-long-maybe-not injury absence, Daniel Gafford has emerged as a potential target,” wrote Matt Moore.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Daniel Gafford, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards Updates
Gafford, a second-round draft pick in 2019, is averaging 10.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots in 25.6 minutes a game, all of which are career-highs, this season. He isn’t quite the physically imposing presence Robinson is, but he is a capable big man.
At 6-31, the Wizards have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and nothing to play for, other than perhaps extra ping-pong balls in May’s draft lottery. Gafford has two more years after this one left on his contract, so perhaps one motivation for them to trade him would be to clear their financial books sooner rather than later.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Daniel Gafford, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards Updates
New York already has a very capable center in Isaiah Hartenstein who has been starting in Robinson’s absence. But it needs another legitimate serviceable 5 behind him since it looks like there’s a good chance Robinson won’t wear a Knicks uniform again until next season.
Somehow, even without Robinson’s 10.3 rebounds a game, the Knicks are first in the NBA in rebound percentage.
