New York knicks Trade & free agency targets
NBA Analysis Network
It is no secret that the New York Knicks are in dire need of a superstar. Phil Jackson’s decision to draft Frank Ntilikina over Donovan Mitchell when the Knicks got the number 3 pick instead of the number 1 pick for Zion Williamson hurt the team, and it really hurt when they refused to give Kevin Durant a max contract because he would be sitting out the first year. These decisions ultimately led Kyrie Irving and Durant to sign with Brooklyn.
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However, props are due when props are due. In the 2020-2021 season the Knicks not only have a superstar who has risen from the ashes in Julius Randle putting up 25 points per game (PPG) , but they also had the number three pick in Rj Barret who was putting up 20 PPG, start to blossom into the star he is meant to be. At the end of the 2020-2021 season, the seven season long playoff drought was finally over. New York had new meaning, and even a brighter future.
While the 2020-2021 season ended positively for the Knicks, it did not do the same the following year. Julius Randle seemed to take a step back from his superstar status averaging about 18 PPG, which led to the Knicks missing the playoffs during the 2021-2022 season. With that being said, he had a bounce back year this season bringing his PPG to 25.5 and 10 rebounds per game (RPG).
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Now to present day, the Knicks managed to bring over Jalen Brunson, their first solid Point Guard since Stephon Marbury, and he took the NBA by storm. The Knicks on two separate occasions in the season went on a 9-0 win streak, which solidified themselves as a serious playoff team. With the acquisition of Josh Hart, long time Villanova teammate of Jalen Brunson, it seemed like he was just what they needed. As soon as Josh put on the Knicks uniform, you could tell the chemistry was already there. This duo, along with Julius Randle and Rj Barret, made a scary squad that reached the second round. The question lies now on which star would bring the New York Knicks a title?
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Joel Embiid
No better way to start off this list than with the MVP of the NBA, Joel Embiid. Embiid had his best season as a player MVP, averaging about 33.1 PPG on 54 percent Field Goal percentage(FG%), while also grabbing 10.2 RPG, 4.2 assist per game (APG), and 1.0 steal per game (SPG).
If trading for Embiid, the Knicks would need to send away their current superstar Randle, along with Mitch Robinson, Quinten Grimes, and Immanuel Quickly (or) Obi Toppin and at least three first round picks. This would give the Knicks a significant run at the finals. They would still have a great point guard in Brunson, Barret, and Hart when he re-signs. Plus, if they don’t give up Toppin, they can insert him in the lineup next to Embiid. However, if the Knicks make this trade and acquire Embiid, they would still need another role player that can spark their offense.
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Seth Curry
None other than Embiid’s former teammate, Seth Curry has proven himself to be more than just the younger brother of Golden State Warriors' superstar, Stephen Curry. In fact, the 6'1" shooting guard is a little different than his brother. We cannot forget about how acrobatic Steph Curry is, well Seth Curry is a little bit better on finishing inside shots. This season he averaged approximately 40 percent from the three-point line, not the best given however his average FG% is about 47.5 percent. This means most of the time his shots are dropping over 50 percent of the time from anywhere else on the court. This can be very valuable for the Knicks, because they need a 3-D wing that can do the intangibles for the team.
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Zach Lavine
Zach LaVine is a top-30 player in the league: he is clearly a good player. However, while this might be a target for the New York Knicks, I don’t think he is a good pick for the offense. Not only is he a ball hog, but his attitude toward better options in different situations is an issue, and he lacks a good point guard presence. Lonzo Ball was the glue of that Bulls team, it's unfortunate that he might never play again. Back to LaVine, On April 12th vs. the Raptors, he dropped 39 points on 12-22 shooting. But, the following game on the 14th, he dropped 15 points on 6-21 shooting. It doesn’t feel right to trade someone on the Knicks for him because he is inconsistent.
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Donovan Mitchell
Sources close to the player have revealed that the Knicks have been on Mitchell's radar for quite some time now, and there are several reasons for his interest in the team. First and foremost, joining the Knicks would allow Mitchell to play close to his roots. The All-Star guard grew up in Elmsford, New York, just a short distance from Madison Square Garden. Mitchell is intrigued by the energy and culture of New York City, and he sees the prospect of playing for such a passionate fan base as an incredible opportunity. Since then, Mitchell has established himself as one of the league's brightest young stars and has repeatedly proven his doubters wrong on the court. By joining the Knicks, Mitchell would have the chance to show the world how he can contribute to a team and winning a championship. Of course, it remains unclear whether or not the Knicks can make a move for Mitchell, given the salary cap and roster constraints that come with the territory. But Mitchell sees the potential in playing for a franchise with as much history and potential as the Knicks, and fans in New York City would surely welcome him with open arms. Mant New York fans want to trade for him now, but why rush? He will be a free agent in 2026 and could very well join the Knicks on his own accord. Knicks fans want to see this happen and know the talent that Mitchell can bring to the already young and rough Knicks.
