Report: Knicks make Hardaway, Lee available for trade

The New York Knicks have made Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee available in trade talks ahead of the Feb. 7 deadline, the New York Times reported on Thursday. The report noted that the Knicks' motive for trading the two guards is "largely financial," and the trades would give the team the salary-cap space needed to go after top-tier free agents such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker this summer.

Hardaway, 26, has started 42 of 46 games this season, averaging 19.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists, though he's shooting just 39.2 percent from the field. He is in the second year of a four-year contract and is set to make nearly $18.2 million for the 2019-20 season, with a player option worth nearly $19 million in 2020-21. The 33-year-old Lee, who has played only 10 games so far this season, is averaging just 5.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He has one year left on his contract and is set to make nearly $12.8 million next season.

When asked Thursday about the upcoming trade deadline, Hardaway was abrupt in his answer, according the New York Post. "I'm not going to answer that question, so you can stop asking me," said Hardaway, in the Post's report. "Next question."

Per the Times, center Enes Kanter is also on the trade block, though his expiring contract is less of a priority to move than the longer-term salaries of Hardaway and Lee. Kanter has been vocal over the last week about his unhappiness with his shrinking role, which included sitting out all of Wednesday night's game despite being healthy.

--Field Level Media