THE KNICKS DID SOMETHING!!!
Rumored for weeks as a near inevitability from Knicks beat writers Leon Rose relented and sent Jericho Sims to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Delon Wright.
Sims, who came into the league as an older rookie at 23, improved each year but ultimately found himself in a difficult position on a team that didn’t fully utilize his defensive switchability. While he had some memorable moments, including an electric dunk contest performance, his limitations on offense made it challenging for him to secure a consistent role in the rotation despite his talents as a rim protector, screener, and rebounder.
In return, the Knicks receive Delon Wright, a 32-year-old guard known for his defense. Wright has been among the league leaders in steal percentage throughout his career, ranking in the 90th percentile or higher the last eight seasons before this one and 99th percentile the previous three.
Wright’s Potential Impact
So why is Milwaukee trading modern-day Gary Payton? Well...the shooting has not been good.
Wright is currently boasting 27/25/56 shooting splits that would make Elfrid Payton blush.
The good news is his career averages of 45/35/80 suggest he’s a more capable shooter than his current stats indicate over a relatively small sample size of just 82 shots from the field this season.
The addition of Wright gives the Knicks another option in their backcourt rotation, particularly in matchup-specific situations. His size (6'5") and defensive versatility could prove useful in playoff scenarios against teams with multiple scoring threats on the perimeter or as insurance if Cam Payne self-destructs.
One would think if the shooting rebounds even a little bit he’d have a decent chance to jump Landry Shamet for the 9th/10th (pending Mitch) spot in the rotation given that Shamet’s shooting advantage has been exclusively theoretical so far this season.
Looking Ahead
With this trade, the Knicks have addressed their need for backcourt depth while also clearing the way for more minutes for promising young center Ariel Hukporti. The move also coincides with reports that Mitchell Robinson is nearing a return to practice, which could further solidify the team’s frontcourt rotation.
As the trade deadline approaches, there’s speculation about whether the Knicks will make any more significant moves. While some have floated the idea of pursuing bigger names like Kevin Durant, it seems more likely that the team will focus on integrating Wright and preparing for Robinson’s return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ trade deadline strategy, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
• Potential trade targets for the Knicks
• Analysis of trades around the Eastern Conference
• Impact of Mitchell Robinson’s impending return
