Back during the 2015 NBA Draft process, there were rumblings that the New York Knicks really liked Emmanuel Mudiay, then an explosive guard prospect who spent a year playing in China after high school. New York ended up snagging Kristaps Porzingis instead in a move that Mudiay thought was best for his development, but fast forward nearly three years and the Knicks were finally able to acquire the point guard they once coveted.
New York has reportedly agreed to a three-team deal that will involve Denver and Dallas. As Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN first reported, the Knicks will get Mudiay and will ship Doug McDermott to Dallas. Additionally, the Mavericks are sending veteran point guard Devin Harris to the Nuggets.
Denver is trading Emmanuel Mudiay to New York, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Denver, New York and Dallas agreed on a three-way deal, league sources tell ESPN. Mudiay to Knicks; Devin Harris to Denver and Doug McDermott to Dallas.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
There will also be some second round draft picks that get sent around in the deal.
Sources: Dallas is also acquiring second-round pick from Denver in trade sending Emmanuel Mudiay to New York, Devin Harris to Denver, Doug McDermott to Mavs.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2018
New York will send Denver a future second-round pick in the trade, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/b13B7AHI4T
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Denver and New York was swapping second-round picks in the three-way trade, league sources tell ESPN. Denver gets New York's 2018 second-round pick via Clippers, and Knicks get Denver's second-round pick via Portland.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
This move gets something done for just about everyone involved. The Knicks got a young point guard who, despite his struggles to this point in his career, is still only 21 and has a friendly contract — Mudiay is signed for $4.3 million next year, has a qualifying offer worth $5.76 million the year after, and is a restricted free agent in 2019. The Nuggets acquired the point guard help they reportedly wanted at the deadline in the form of a veteran on an expiring deal. The Mavericks got a young marksman and a pick to add to their war chest of assets.
It’s a fairly unremarkable deal, but each team got something out of it, which is sometimes the case with deals on deadline day.
