Knicks predicted to land $14 million Allen Iverson impersonator from Hornets | Sporting News

The New York Knicks’ roster is far from perfect, so they should be open to surveying their realistic options on the trade market. 

By acquiring a popular Charlotte Hornets guard who’s drawn comparisons to Philadelphia 76ers great Allen Iverson, the franchise would be in good hands when it’s time to turn to the reserves.

“Tre Mann has been on fire off the bench for the Hornets this season, surprising everyone with his scoring punch and all-around play,” Fadeaway World’s Fran Leiva wrote Wednesday. “He’s putting up 15.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, shooting a solid 45.8% from the field.” 

“Those are legit numbers for a guy who’s coming in as a backup, and it’s clear he’s got way more to offer than Charlotte can handle right now. With LaMelo Ball running the show, Mann just isn’t getting the spotlight he deserves—and that’s where the Knicks could swoop in and give him the stage he’s looking for.”

“This trade would bring Mann to New York on an expiring contract, meaning he’ll be a restricted free agent soon. That’s perfect for the Knicks—they’d have the chance to match any offers next season and keep him if things work out. And let’s be real: they need him.”

“The Knicks’ bench has been struggling hard, ranking dead last in scoring, and Mann could be the go-to guy they’re missing. Imagine him as the sixth man, coming in alongside Miles McBride in the backcourt, bringing instant offense and giving New York some much-needed energy off the bench.”

To receive Mann, the Knicks would have to trade Tyler Kolek, Cameron Payne, Matt Ryan, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Hornets. 

Talent-wise, no one in their right mind would disagree that Iverson has the upper hand on Mann. 

However, the rising star’s swagger, court attire, mannerisms, and vicious, low-to-the-ground snatch-back crossover in the half-court make it easy to spot the similarities between the two slithery guards. 

Mann had a solid rookie season with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021, averaging 10.4 points per contest on 39.4% field goal shooting and 36% three-point shooting.

The following 80 games, however, weren’t great from a scoring standpoint, as Mann only poured in 5.7 points per game as a second and third-year guard. As a result, the Thunder cut ties with the Florida Product in February of 2024. 

Now that the former first-round pick can play a free-flowing brand of basketball in Charlotte, he is soaring as a score-first role player. 

If the Knicks want to reach the playoffs without draining their starters, they’ll consider Mann when discussing potential trade targets.

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