It seems crazy, but Hakeem Nicks is the hottest name swirling around the approaching NFL trade deadline. The New York Giants wide receiver has the opportunity to become a free agent in the offseason. He was reportedly unhappy about not getting a contract extension. As the Giants remain winless on the season, trading the wide receiver could be an option. However, Nicks is denying the idea that he will not in New York much longer.
Nicks is well-aware that his name is being tossed around with trade rumors. He realizes with the way the Giants' season is going, moves will likely be made. However, he told reporters no one has said a word to him about being traded and he does not plan on that happening.
"I'm a Giant, and that's the only thing I can focus on right now," Nicks said, via ESPN.com. "I'm a Giant, and I love playing for the Giants. I'm a Giant right now, and I'm going to stand strong on that."
According to NFL sources, the Giants have yet to entertain the idea of trading Nicks prior to the deadline, but things could change if another team approached them with the right offer. Nicks' future with New York has been uncertain since the team gave Victor Cruz a long-term contract in the offseason and not Nicks. The Giants have certainly not ruled out bringing the wide receiver back for 2014, but Nicks will likely demand a top-dollar deal in return.
Nicks needed a good season to make himself more valuable on the market. That has yet to really play out. Rueben Randle has played a larger role in the offense than Nicks, getting targeted almost as much as the veteran. Nicks stresses that he is blocking out all outside distractions and is simply focused on improving his game and the play of the Giants.
"I'm sure they've got enough respect for me to come to me and talk to me about a situation like that," Nicks said. "As of now, I'm a Giant. At the end of the day, business is business. But I haven't been getting any whiff of anything like that. I'm a Giant right now, and I'm going to enjoy it, and we've got to start winning games."
Running back Brandon Jacobs hates the idea that a key member of the team could be traded midway through the season. He believes getting rid of Nicks could be damaging to the team's goals. While he understands that the NFL is a business, a trade makes everyone vulnerable.
