The New York Knicks' recent slide may have them in the market for another guard. And if some of the latest NBA trade rumors are accurate, the Chicago Bulls' backcourt duo of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu could be in play.
New York is one of, if not the favorite, to represent the Eastern Conference in this year's NBA Finals. At 24-14 as of Jan. 10, there's no reason for the Knicks to panic and make a rash decision; there's no reason to swing a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis or another star who would rob the team of some talented depth.
But Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Co. have lost five of their last six games and have three consecutive road tilts facing them on the West Coast in Portland, Sacramento and Golden State. Not a Murderer's Row of opponents, but for a struggling title contender that's 5-7 in its last 12 games, a challenge all the same.
And New York is reportedly in the mix for some help that Chicago could provide.
Knicks could have interest in Bulls' Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White
According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic (subscription required), New York's disappointing defense could use an upgrade, particularly in the backcourt.
Edwards mentions Jose Alvarado of the New Orleans Pelicans, Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings and Ochai Agbaji of the Toronto Raptors as potential fits. All three are strong defenders and, perhaps most importantly, don't make a ton of money. As a team near the second apron, Edwards points out, the Knicks can't take back more money than they send out in a deal.
That makes franchises with both available cap space to absorb salary and guards on cheap contracts most attractive. Franchises like the Chicago Bulls. And players like White and Dosunmu.
White, Dosunmu could give Knicks backcourt depth for a title run
If New York is looking for an inexpensive point-of-attack defender, there may not be a better option on the market than Dosunmu.
The 25-year-old has long been one of the NBA's most overlooked guards, especially defensively, but he's no slouch on the other end. Dosunmu is a fantastic athlete who's elite at attacking the rim and can handle some playmaking responsibilities. He has a nearly 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
He's making $7.5 million and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
If the Knicks are focused on upgrading their defense, White may not be for them. But there's no denying he would make a strong offense even more potent.
Despite his injury struggles through the season's first four months, he proved he can be a go-to scorer in doses and is a wildly underrated playmaker. He could help space the floor around Brunson and act as a second-side playmaker or run the second unit, and would willingly fill a role as a low-usage bucket-getter.
The 25-year-old former UNC star is making $12.9 million this year and is also set to be an unrestricted free agent.
If New York is truly in the market for a backcourt upgrade, it could do far worse than Dosunmu or White.