NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Ready To Take In Christian Wood If Pistons Blink

KEY POINTS

New York Knicks could get a boost with a Christian Wood acquisition
Wood can thrive under the watch of Tom Thibodeau
Wood could be part of the new young starting unit of the Knicks

The New York Knicks know they have to take in key players, not necessarily big-name stars.

Though they have made headlines linked to mega-stars like Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook, what head coach Tom Thibodeau needs is an efficient supporting cast. There is no question that Christian Wood fits that need.

Wood is one of several interesting free agents this NBA offseason. The Detroit Pistons, his last club, could always try to explore options of possibly re-signing.

However, that is easier said than done. With the 25-year-old due for a raise, such may pose a problem to Detroit’s free agency plans, the Detroit Free Press reported.

If the Pistons fail to come to terms with Wood, the 6-foot-10 forward has options. One of them is the Knicks who need some beefing up in the forward position. Hence, it comes as no surprise that he is a target, SNY.tv reported.

Though New York has a lot of forwards in the mix, Thibodeau could change all that. Woods is young and someone oozing with potential. Proof of that is his numbers from the 2019-20 season.

In 62 games, Wood averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and an assist in 21.4 minutes of action. Aside from that, he shot well from the field with a 56.7 percent shooting clip and 38.6 percent from the three-point region.

He could be the perfect complement to young rising stars like RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.

Compared to the high-profile chase that the Knicks have in mind, Wood would be a key piece in their rebuilding efforts. He is not flashy or a star player but can undoubtedly help New York in his quiet way.

The Knicks have to decide on several players for the 2020-21 season. Among the notable names include Bobby Portis Jr., Reggie Bullock, Wayne Ellington, Taj Gibson and Elfrid Payton.

Keeping Bullock and Gibson could make sense. They are veteran leaders and do not cost that much, allowing the Knicks to divert those numbers to a high-profile cager.

The immediate task at hand for the Knicks is the 2020 NBA Draft. They are at the 8th spot although there are murmurs that they want to move up the ranks.

A plausible target is the Golden State Warriors, a team that is open to offers. However, they may need to add a player to the mix with Robinson looming as the guy the Dubs would be interested in adding.