Memphis @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2018 ) New York 103, Memphis 98

Things haven't gone as planned this season for the New York Knicks or the Memphis Grizzlies, and one of the two is already beginning to take giant steps toward the future. The Knicks hope to have a few of their new players available after pulling off the first blockbuster trade of the season when they host the Grizzlies on Sunday.

New York went all-in on a rebuild by sending Kristaps Porzingis, Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday in exchange for DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr., two first-round picks and - most importantly - enough cap space this summer to sign two max free agents. The immediate result of the trade left the Knicks shorthanded on Friday, leading to a 113-99 home loss to the Boston Celtics that marked the team's 12th straight setback and leaves it with the worst record in the NBA. The Grizzlies floated rumors weeks ago that veterans Mike Conley and Marc Gasol were on the trade block but have yet to pull the trigger on their own rebuild. Conley sat out Friday to rest a sore knee and Gasol struggled to eight points on 3-of-10 shooting in 27 minutes in a 100-92 loss at Charlotte that marked the team's 17th loss in the last 19 games.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FS South (Memphis), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (20-33): Memphis might not be piling up wins, but the team feels like the effort is there from the veterans down to the youngsters. "I think that's been the consistent thing from the last games, from the last six, seven games the effort has been tremendous independently of who's out there, whatever the name on the jersey is," Gasol told reporters after Friday's setback. "Everybody that steps on the floor sets the standard of effort." Power forward Ivan Rabb, 21, is making the most of an increased opportunity and scored in double figures in each of the last two games while going a combined 10-of-15 from the floor.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-41): New York spent most of the last month giving the young players on the roster increased playing time while pushing veterans like Lee and center Enes Kanter to the end of the bench. The trio of former Mavericks joining the team soon are not expected to get the same treatment, and Matthews and Jordan will serve as mentors to the youngsters while Smith stabilizes a point guard spot that has been a problem this season. Kadeem Allen, who was signed to a two-way contract last month, started at point guard on Friday with Burke on his way out the door and Frank Ntilikina (groin) and Emmanuel Mudiay (shoulder) nursing injuries.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Grizzlies SF Omri Casspi will reportedly undergo surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee.

2. Knicks rookie SF Kevin Knox is averaging 19 points over the last three games.

3. New York earned a 103-98 win at Memphis on Nov. 25 behind 21 points and 26 rebounds from Kanter.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 102, Knicks 95