NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 09: Lance Thomas #42 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets during the preseason game on October 9, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

As the New York Knicks approach the 2017-18 regular season, hybrid forward Lance Thomas has surfaced as a potential trade option.

The New York Knicks are approaching the 2017-18 NBA regular season with a surplus of talent at a number of different positions. One could argue whether or not the Knicks have enough talent to compete for the playoffs, but head coach Jeff Hornacek has logjams at multiple positions.

Although most eyes are on the competition at the center position, there’s another position battle to keep an eye on at small forward.

New York has three small forwards who are competing for the starting job: Michael Beasley, Doug McDermott, and Lance Thomas. Hornacek has also been playing veteran off-guard Courtney Lee at the 3, and could ultimately start him alongside shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Knicks may have an opportunity to clear up some of the confusion due to the trade interest that Thomas is generating.

…it’s worth noting that teams have expressed interest in O’Quinn and Thomas in the weeks leading up to the preseason, per league sources.

Thomas could be of great value to the Knicks, but the surplus of small forwards may have changed the outlook of the organization.

Thomas, 29, is the oldest of the small forwards who are currently on the roster. Beasley, 28, and McDermott, 25, are on expiring deals, but the latter will be a restricted free agent in 2018 and the former was signed to alleviate the scoring burden from Kristaps Porzingis.

Thomas, meanwhile, is the best defender of the three, and has the positional versatility to play and defend the 4.

Due to the fact that he’s struggled to overcome injures during his NBA career, however, Thomas may prove to be the odd man out.

It’s worth noting that, when he’s been healthy, Thomas has provided quality two-way contributions. He was the glue guy for the Knicks in 2015-16, and shot 42.3 percent from beyond the arc between 2015-16 and 2016-17.

There’s no telling if New York is willing to part ways with Thomas, but if it decides to trade him, it could clear as much as $7,119,650 from the books in 2018-19.

The first trade rumors of the 2017-18 NBA season have already arrived. The New York Knicks are inevitably at the heart of the discussion.