The Knicks will remain active on the trade market after acquiring OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn from Toronto on Saturday, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Having previously named Dejounte Murray as a possible Knicks trade target, Scotto reports that New York is still interested in Murray following this weekend’s deal. However, the team would no longer be able to offer Immanuel Quickley, who might have been a key piece of any outgoing package for the Hawks guard.
Scotto also spoke to multiple NBA executives to get their thoughts on the Anunoby trade for the Knicks. One of those execs questioned whether it might have been overpay, but acknowledged that the team remains well positioned to make another big move and said that justified the decision to part with two talented scorers in Quickley and RJ Barrett. A second exec is curious to see what New York’s front office has up its sleeve for its next move.
“There’s not a lot of shot creation for other players on the roster now, and there’s a lot of pressure on (Jalen) Brunson,” the exec told Scotto. “I get why New York made the trade. The team was playing selfishly. Anunoby is a better fit with what they have than Barrett.”
Here’s more on the Knicks and their latest trade:
- The Knicks players who weren’t involved in Saturday’s deal had mixed feelings about the move, as Peter Botte of The New York Post details. “This probably for me is one of the toughest ones just because of the relationship I built with those two,” Julius Randle said, referring to Barrett and Quickley as “little brothers” and suggesting he’ll continue to root for them. Taj Gibson expressed excitement for the addition of Anunoby but said that it “kind of sucked” to say goodbye to the two departing Knicks: “I’ve been around them since they came into the league. Great young men. It’s just tough, one of the tough parts about the business. Being able to see them this morning and talk, it was tough.
- Zach Kram of The Ringer, John Hollinger of The Athletic, and Keith Smith of Spotrac took a closer look at the five-player trade from both the Knicks’ and Raptors‘ perspectives, breaking down why it could be a win-win move for the two Atlantic rivals. Smith also explores each team’s financial situation and considers how new deals in 2024 for Anunoby and Quickley will affect their cap outlooks going forward.
- Frustration about roles and playing time had been mounting in the Knicks’ locker room, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic, which is one key reason why the front office was motivated to make a consolidation trade sooner rather than later. Within Katz’s story, which examines the trade in greater detail, he cites league sources who say the Knicks and Celtics briefly discussed a deal centered around Quickley and Marcus Smart in the offseason before Smart was sent to Memphis. In other words, the team has been mulling swapping Quickley for an elite defender for a while.
Id love to hear someone present a reasonable package that NYK could offer that would make us even consider trading away Dejounte
You have nothing to write about. Just an NBA writer who found out about the Onunoby deal at the same time all of us did, trying to throw out a name they think is the next move. The Knicks don’t move like that.
Murray has been shopped by Hawks this yr. Rumors have been around since beginning of yr.
link to syndication.bleacherreport.com
Murray was obtained from Spurs for 3 first rounders and Gallinari who they immediately waived. Knicks could easily match or exceed that to make the Hawks whole.
Not sure Knicks could pull it off. But I don’t see Hawks moving him to NY. We got plenty picks to offer.
You only have one extra first of value. Those Detroit and Washington picks are basically 2nd rounders at this point. That Milwaukee pick is never going to convey.
link to fadeawayworld.net
Really ??????
I guess you know ….
All 1st rd picks are valuable. And all picks are assets that can be used to move up. There are 2nd rd picks who are HOFers today. And just having our own picks means we can trade. Like next yr there are two. Bucks pick is top 4 protected. You must be on the dark web.
Josh Hart, Grimes, Sims and McBride with a pick for Murray and Wesley Matthews. I like Murray as a PG though. I don’t like him as a SG. my opinion
I have always liked Murray. Love those big PGs. And 2way talents. Imo he’s a great fit with Jalen. Cause Brunson tends to go offense first. So it’s really like having two combo guards. That both can play either guard position well. Interchangeable
You add him and this moves the Knicks to contender status. And considering the age of this team. It would be for yrs to come. Gotta love that if you are a Knickerbocker fan.
Unfortunately I don’t see Hawks ever trading Murray to Knicks. Unless it’s an overpay. I just don’t see it. (hope I’m wrong)
With Donte going for 38 last night. It’s telling Grimes he better wake up. I believe he has 2way potential. Hopefully now he won’t get lost in the offense with the two players gone. OG is a much better fit for this offense. So I’m hoping Grimes finds his groove. Plus he’s most likely to be included in this next trade (get his value up).
Mitch injury has thrown a wrench into this year. Imo that’s why they pulled the trigger on this trade. Achiuwa has his chance to help this team. With Sims back. I hope we get back to playing solid D. Knicks strength is still their depth. They will need it to have a productive year.
DeM is still to me the more realistic move. Slide him into SG. All those who claim he is and iso player. Don’t get his game. Thibs offense is based on iso. And the mismatches it creates. Just need players who are willing to share the ball. DeM is that player. His ast have consistently gone up since leaving Toronto. Add the fact he wants a ring. I just see a great fit.
I hope another trade is coming. But it might happen next yr. When other players could be available.
That pick Raptors received is a very valuable pick. Pistons second rd pick.
Raptors in the long run. Probably getting better return on this trade.
I agree with almost everything you said. But, if Demar wants a ring like you said. Why in the world would he want to be on the Knicks? Brunson, IG, and Randle are all nice players. But, would need to be the 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th best players on a contender. Knicks need a Superstar to go with those 3 to be a true contender.
Well to me he’s a superstar. Look up his stats in the 4Q. He is clutch. He gets buckets and is an excellent FT. He has an unstoppable jump shot. He’s a team player. Plus he’s a true SG with size. And he’s at his best right now. NY will only motivate him more. Plus he’s attainable at a fair price. Probably can get him and Drummond. What SG that are available are better than DeM.
Depth is a powerful force to have. He makes Knicks one of deepest teams in league. Teams win chips. Not stars.
Does DeRozan have a no trade clause? If not, I’m sure he would be happy to go to any contender at this point in his career (and the Knicks at least have a realistic shot to go deep).
I don’t think he’s the absolute ideal fit, but a Brunson-Murray backcourt makes sense on paper. I agree getting him from the Hawks could be unlikely and cost too much.
Can agree with much of what you wrote but still strongly against using any assets for Derozan. To me, he’d be an upgrade right now, sure, but he alone is not that missing piece for contending for a chip. He’s also likely to start declining soon and he’s a free agent this offseason. If he wants to go for it with us, and no one better is out there, he can choose to be a Knick and take a reasonable salary, assuming mutual interest. To me he’s not a superstar, not sure he ever was. But definitely a great great player who can probably play for Thibs too
With IQ gone, Knicks need more perimeter shooting. Demar has size and passing and late game scoring, but his best skills seem redundant with JR and JB. JR and JB attack relentlessly, so rock solid 3-point shooters to kick it out to would be nice. I don’t think Demar is the right dude for us
Agree with you. Brunson/Murray/ Divi would be an excellent rotation for the two guard positions. Murray will complement OG as Murray can defend other team’s best guard and OG will defend other team’s best forward. Knicks have been killed by big guards and small forwards like Butler, Tatum, Middleton, etc. also Murray can run point when Brunson is resting. Might have to include Grimes in the trade with Fournier and 3 number ones. I would do it. Starting 5 could match up with anyone especially next year when Robinson returns. Still have Divi/Hart as very good backups and Hartenstein next year.
Both RJ and Quickley have a chance to up their game. RJ is a great fit with Barnes and Siakam. Away from NY, RJ will find his true value. Only 23yrs old. Quickley stats as a starter are as good as any PG around. He learns to run an offense better. Then this trade is very promising for Toronto.
It’s all about team fit. With both teams. I’m rooting for both ex Knicks …..
That Detroit pick is also a great get. I see it helping both teams get better. And that’s what you want with a major trade.
Murray is (obviously) no longer a NYK target. I can’t even imagine they’re still discussing him casually. The best evidence of that (aside from common sense) is that the media is has been reporting on it for weeks. The NYK FO doesn’t speak with the media. In 3.5 years of the Rose regime, countless potential trades were reported on as possible, likely and/or imminent. None of them happened. Zero. Most, it turns out, weren’t even being discussed (at least by the NYK). In contrast, every trade they’ve actually made was NOT reported on in the media in advance, only after it was made or on the day it was. A 3.5 year track record should be hard to ignore, or at least one would think.
Knick front office has been consistent in just about all of their actions since they arrived. They are in the middle of executing the plan they drew up, and have many of the pieces they think they will ultimately need.
You hit on the head. Basically, a guy who knew nothing of the Anunoby trade going down, suddenly is gifted with the inside info on the Knicks and Dejounte Murray. He is not being pursued by the Knicks.
@Very Barry – Agreed. Whatever one thinks of the quality of the various Knick moves over the past 3.5 years, they’ve all been largely consistent with the rebuild plan Rose laid out when he took over.
The media guys here not only missed on the Anunoby trade, as you noted, but also had no information on the NYK’s monitoring of Smart and Murray last summer, WHEN it was actually happening. They found out now (after the Anunoby deal rendered it moot), learning it from “league sources” (vs real sources). The latter likely figured hey, why not give it to these losers, as its dated and more trivia at this point than relevant going forward.
Well OG was rumored to Knicks for yrs. I know that’s more from Toronto. Since there have been rumors about Siakam and OG moving. I believe Murray is being shopped.
ATL may be shopping him, but I doubt he’s on the Knick shopping list any longer. I hope not anyway. Murray’s highest and best value on both ends is as a PG. He can defend wings, but his length doesn’t have same impact there. Offensively, on the wing, he’s a poor (Barrett-esqe) distance shooter, and (like Barrett and Randle) needs lots of possession time to create his own shot. He and Young ain’t working for a reason. Murray’s next team should figure out why BEFORE dealing for him.
Knicks have been discussing OG as a trade possibility for a long time. I almost gave up on it. Glad it happened though. I think the fact that the Knicks stopped playing defense and letting up 130+ is forcing their hand. OG already made a big difference versus T-Wolves yesterday. Murray would solidify the team defensively in the backcourt. The other thing is that he fits in salary wise so the two stars (Brunson and Randle) are still at or near the top of the team in pay. Don’t want the team leaders to get out paid could cause desention. Players seem to get along right now. That’s one reason why Zach Lavine is a nonstarter besides the fact he doesn’t play any D.
Murray should have a big market, he’s on a tidy contract, he’s a two way player, he can play on ball or off ball, can play the 1 or the 2. Not many 6’5 guards that give you 20 points per game and are really good defenders.
Not sure if anyone beats the lakers package of Reaves, Hayes and a first.
Lakers don’t need the playmaking but could do with the consistency of a lead guard that’ll create offence for themselves and others plus is a good defender. Dlo is inconsistent and poor defensively. What it would mean is that lakers would probably need to add a shooter or two to the depth chart to provide some spacing.
Lakers won’t trade Reaves.
I don’t like this for either team
Siakam would probably be a good fit on the NYK, why not double down and go for Spicy P? If Raps want young players, maybe a 3 team deal where the Knicks send picks for whatever player they’re targeting.
NYK would have no interest in Siakam. Randle may be a mixed blessing, but so is Siakam, and Randle is a much better fit with the NYK, and with a much better contract situation. In any event, no team needs both and the NYK certainly wouldn’t do it straight up. Honestly, I’m not sure TOR should either except for the contract.
For all Randle is. He’s a load to deal with down low. Just ask Banchero, look it up. But it would easier and more efficient. If he worked off the pass. Instead of dribbling to the paint. That’s where Brunson needs to improve. Getting his team easier shots. Theory is OG makes this team a better working group. He doesn’t need the ball like RJ did. But Knicks still need to share and move the ball. And that means more assists and sharing the ball as a team. We’ll see how long it takes for this group to develop true chemistry. I can definitely see the potential. But without Mitch it’s not going to be easy. Mitch takes the defensive load off everyone. Achiuwa and Sims have to help here. Since Mitch is not expected back this yr. New year new team …….. Let’s Do This
Good points. Two things I would add is that Randle should continue to stay in paint and limit his 3’s. Other thing is that OG is a very good corner 3 shooter that must be covered which opens up the paint for Brunson (14 assists) several to OG. RJ wasn’t a good 3pt. shooter and didn’t need to be guarded there which clogged the lane and made it more difficult for Brunson and Randle.
I was the raptors I would keep trading and get younger. They need people the same age as Barrett and Barnes. Quickley off the bench still. Trade Siakam, Jacob P and the best player in the world in Dennis S for young talent and bad contracts. They just need a young PF and PG. Koloko can start at C maybe
A guy like Batum, could be a BO candidate for Knicks? Hard worker, all around skills, plenty of playoff experience, has had greater roles In the past, but Is used to playing another role now.
I think it better Now, and they already have a veteran role filled with Taj.
If Batum could slide right away with the chemistry, it would be nice. I really don’t know about the Fit.
With another star, they ascend to contender status.
Best fit, a Star SG, who can shoot from three, AND play defense.
Not sure who’s available and/or attainable
Another good trade could be one that pries away Gafford and Tyus Jones from Washington.
Big time rim protector in Gafford, also a big lob threat, ideally can complement to Randle, and a steady PG, who plays defense, takes care of the ball, and can set up an offense. A starting level PG, no doubt. A luxury to back up Jalen.
Jones might be too expensive for what Knicks should be willing to give up tho. And he might be seeking a starting role elsewhere.