What Does Trade Between Westchester Knicks And Texas Legends Mean For Both Teams?

At the midway point of the 2018-19 season, the Westchester Knicks completed a trade with the Texas Legends. Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days reported the Knicks acquired Jameel Warney in exchanged returning rights of Xavier Rathan-Mayes. Johnson noted Rathan-Mayes has signed a G League contract, which means it won’t be long before the Florida State product is in a Texas uniform.

A day following the trade, Warney was in practice with his new team and is likely to make his Westchester debut during the team’s three-game road trip.

What does trade mean for Westchester Knicks?

Texas Legends head coach Bob MacKinnon noted when Jameel Warney arrived in Frisco, he mainly played within 10 feet of the basket. In his two-plus years in Texas, he has shown his growth to where he is a solid four and can play the five.

Warney consistently saw his game grow under the Texas coaching staff, which greatly paid off when he earned a 10-day contract in March of 2018. MacKinnon even praised Warney’s decision to return and felt like he was a call-up candidate heading into the season.

He brings a rebounding presence who can play in the post and has showcased his passing ability when a few of the Legends guards were out. He is a 6’8” forward who can play in and out and has shown progression with his perimeter game. Warney is a solid pick-and-roll defender.

Warney has produced at a high level in the previous two seasons with Texas and nearly averaged a double-double (19.8 points and 9.6 rebounds) to go along with 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. If the third year forward can capture the success he had last season, he will be a candidate to earn a 10-day contract this season.

What does trade mean for Texas Legends?

Xavier Rathan-Mayes was a bright spot for the Westchester Knicks in his lone season with the team. He showed he could be a solid penetrating guard who could finish strong at the rim. The 6’4” guard had a brief moment where he shot the ball well from deep where he shot 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. While that isn’t a strong part of his game just yet, Rathan-Mayes has shown he can impact the game in many ways.

He was the main facilitator on last year’s team and became the main distributor on offense when Trey Burke earned a call-up. He can find his teammates in the right spots to score on the offense end and is a solid drive-and-dish facilitator.

In late December, Eurohoops reported the sophomore guard has been in talks with NBA teams to potentially land a two-way contract. The report noted Xavier Rathan-Mayes was in talks with Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards. Toronto and New York have an open two-way spot available. Rathan-Mayes didn't have a great season with AEK Athens— 9.1 points, 3.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds on 33.5 shooting from the field— but he could make a case for a call-up by season’s end.