Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty ImagesAccording to reports, the New York Knicks are monitoring trades and the market for top-tier guards this offseason.Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News reporter, reported that Terry Rozier, Terry Rozier and Shai Gilgeous Alexander are being closely monitored in case the Knicks fail to acquire Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal.According to the report, RJ Barrett is being considered by the Knicks as a trade option as they try to add another star to Julius Randle.Rozier, Gilgeous Alexander, and Sexton are all potential targets. They fit both a short-term and long-term timeline. Although Gilgeous-Alexander is most likely the most difficult to acquire, ESPN's Tim Bontemps recently suggested that the Oklahoma City Thunder might explore the possibility of acquiring him.A package that included Barrett and draft picks would be necessary to acquire SGA. It's unlikely the Knicks would make sense to trade Barrett. Barrett showed significant improvement in his second NBA season. The Knicks would be better off keeping Barrett, hoping for further improvement, and possibly flipping future picks for players.Rozier and Sexton are better targets in this sense, but they're not stars who could still fill the Knicks need for a guard rotation. If they end up with Sexton, the Cavs might look into Sexton's market. Jalen Green and Jalen Sugs are the top two picks for the 3rd overall pick. Sexton, with Darius Garland as the point guard of future and present, would be the odd man in the room if Green or Suggs end up in Cleveland.Although Rozier has not been discussed much in trade negotiations, the Hornets may be open to exploring his value if they are unable to pay his next contract. Although the three-year, $56.7million deal Rozier signed with Charlotte was a bargain, he will be looking for a substantial raise on the free-agent marketplace next summer. Given their depth at guard, the Hornets may not want to give him that.
