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USATSI

The New York Knicks have been sputtering lately. After a 5-1 start suggested that they could be ready to leap from playoff team to bona fide contender, they've gone 8-15 ever since and currently sit at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference. Their two big offseason additions of Kemba Walker (out of the rotation) and Evan Fournier (averaging just below 10 points per game in his past seven appearances) have disappointed, and if the Knicks are going to make it back into the postseason at all, they might have to make a meaningful addition to this roster. 

One trade candidate, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, is Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon. Gordon played on the same AAU team as Derrick Rose growing up, and Rose reportedly tried to recruit Gordon to New York during his first Knicks stint in 2016. Now Gordon, having a resurgent season with the rebuilding Rockets, could be a major spark plug for the Knicks if a trade can be made. 

Of course, Gordon comes with a few complications. For starters, he's injury-prone and about to turn 33. His hefty contract is guaranteed through next season and can become guaranteed for the season after if he makes an All-Star team or his team wins the championship. That is unlikely in New York, but some shooting regression is far more plausible. Gordon is a 37 percent 3-point shooter for his career, but he has made 43.4 percent of his attempts this season. 

The Knicks also have a number of young guards that need minutes and shots. Immanuel Quickley has shined since the Knicks selected him No. 25 overall in 2020, and both Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride have shown flashes in their rookie seasons. The Knicks have the draft capital to make a trade. They even have spare first-round picks from Dallas and Charlotte. But with Rose and Fournier on long-term deals, should they really bring in another expensive, non-star guard?

If the goal is purely to maximize this season, then the answer is probably yes. Gordon would be a meaningful improvement for the Knicks in the backcourt, and his sturdy defense would help a unit that has slipped from No. 4 last season to No. 24 this season. But given their struggles thus far this season, it's worth asking if the Knicks should be prioritizing the present over the future at all. Gordon isn't going to make the Knicks a championship team.