Could Knicks Add Another Villanova Alum at Trade Deadline?

If the New York Knicks are looking for outside shooting, they could return to prior target and Villanova alum Saddiq Bey.

While the New York Knicks' outside shooting has drastically improved from last season (up to 11th in three-point percentage after falling to 24th), they'll likely keep it in mind as they look for further reinforcements before Feb. 8's trade deadline.

That could lead them to re-opening their research into current Saddiq Bey, who was reportedly considered at last year's deadline before they opted for Josh Hart instead.

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Bey, 24, might get looks from New York if only for his Villanova connections: while he never played with current Wildcats-turned-Knicks Hart, Ryan Arcidiacono, Jalen Brunson, and Donte DiVincenzo, he earned his fair share of achievements under head coach Jay Wright, including All-American honors and the Julius Erving Award (bestowed to the nation's top small forward) at the end of the 2019-20 season.

At last season's deadline, SNY's Ian Begley reported that the Knicks "registered some interest" in Bey, then stationed with the Detroit Pistons. He was instead moved to Atlanta in a four-team deal that also involved Golden State and Portland.

"Bey, obviously a Villanova guy, (and a) wing, could help the Knicks from a depth perspective," Begley said at the time.

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In 42 games this season, Bey is averaging 12.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game so far this season. He's shooting a career-worst 31.2 percent from three-point range this year but previously hit 40 during his first 25 games with Atlanta the year prior.

Combined with a strong defensive skillset, Bey could become a solid addition to the Knicks' depth. While he's struggling from the field this time around, keeping at a dozen-point pace should help overcome the loss of Immanuel Quickley's lost offensive production since shipped to Toronto.

New York (26-17) doesn't face Atlanta again until March 5. In the meantime, the Knicks will be back in action on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT).