Knicks may cut ties with Miles McBride in favor of Hawks’ trustworthy lob threat | Sporting News

The New York Knicks’ must solve their frontcourt woes sooner than later. 

Landing a trustworthy Atlanta Hawks lob threat could be a massive step in the right direction. 

“The New York Knicks were one of the teams that inquired about trading for Capela,” Soaring Down South’s Joshua Buckhalter wrote Wednesday.

“It makes sense to revisit those talks amid their continued interest in bolstering their frontcourt.”

“The Hawks had an affinity for Quentin Grimes, but he is now a Dallas Maverick.”

“Deuce McBride is a two-guard but he is built like a point guard. He also defends and can create offense for himself.” 

“He would give the Hawks a similar enough to Trae Young as an aggressive scorer when the three-time All-Star sits or has to miss time.”

“McBride is nowhere near the passer that Young is. Still, McBride is averaging career highs with 10.4 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game entering play on Christmas.”

“The number of useful players the Knicks would have to give up in this deal could be prohibitive.”

“Former starting center Mitchell Robinson is injured. But he could be a worthwhile flier with one more season on his contract after this one.” 

“Precious Achiuwa’s inclusion could be a step too far if the other stipulations are not enough.”

“However, this is the best way to make a deal work without a) including the Knicks’ top five players, who also make the most money, or b) forcing the Hawks to reshape their whole roster.”

While Capela isn’t a dynamic stretch center who can torch defenses in various ways, the Geneva, Switzerland native can wreak havoc as an energetic low-post operator.

Capela’s at his best when setting forceful screens on the perimeter and preparing to catch on and off-target passes around the rim. 

The 2014 first-round pick averages 9.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest on 56.7% field goal shooting. 

Moving on from an improved second-unit asset in McBride would be challenging, but the Knicks should give Capela a look this season at the very least.

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