Although the Knicks have conveyed to potential trade partners that they want to acquire a star, they don’t expect one to become available during the 2023/24 season, Fred Katz writes for The Athletic.
Katz, like Ian Begley of SNY.tv, has heard from league sources that New York hasn’t expressed any serious interest in Bulls scorers Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, who are presumably a tier or two below the level of player the Knicks would ideally like to land in any major trade. Sixers center Joel Embiid is one example of the kind of star who would interest New York’s front office, but Philadelphia’s success this season has reduced the likelihood that the Knicks will get a chance to make a play for Embiid anytime soon, Katz notes.
At this time last year, the Knicks had already been in touch with some teams to gauge Immanuel Quickley‘s potential trade value, but things have been quiet so far this season, Katz continues. Still, some people within the Knicks’ front office believe a “too-many-guys situation could be brewing,” sources tell The Athletic, so a consolidation trade at some point this season is a possibility.
Here’s more on the Knicks, including some additional trade-related chatter from Katz:
- The Knicks checked in on Karl-Anthony Towns earlier this season, but didn’t make an offer for the Timberwolves big man and haven’t made a “serious run” at him in recent years, Katz writes. Towns has frequently been cited as a possible trade target for the Knicks due to his connections to executives Leon Rose (a former CAA agent) and Gersson Rosas (Minnesota’s former head of basketball operations), but the Wolves are off to a 16-4 start and presumably won’t be looking to make significant roster changes.
- Teams around the NBA are curious to see how the Knicks will handle Quickley, who will be a restricted free agent in 2024, says Katz. According to Begley, when Quickley and the Knicks talked about a rookie scale extension prior to the season, the two sides couldn’t agree on the structure of a potential deal. They didn’t discuss incentives, but at least one offer made by New York included a team option on the final season, Begley adds. Just two of the 14 players who signed rookie scale extensions this year – Isaiah Stewart and Cole Anthony – agreed to deals that included team options.
- Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscription required) hands out his grades for the first quarter of the 2023/24 season, awarding Jalen Brunson an A and giving both Quickley and Julius Randle a B-plus. Josh Hart (C-minus) and Quentin Grimes (D-minus), who have voiced concerns about their respective roles, didn’t fare as well.
The Knicks might have to settle. I don’t see a player of Embiid’s caliber becoming available any time soon. Embiid, Jokić, Giannis, Shai, Booker and Tatum all seem locked into the teams they’re playing. There’s a chance Doncìc might ask specifically to New York but the Jazz and Thunder can outbid the Knicks if he just asks for a trade in general.
Mitchell Robinson I would like to see get more involved in the offense. Maybe have him develop a hook shot or something because he only shoots three times a game. Am I missing something about Grimes? Why is he in the lineup?
Mitch has had several years to develop an offensive game. I just don’t see it happening. He’s complained before about his offensive role but then he shoots under 50% from the line so you have to take him out sometimes in key situations. It’s on him to get better offensively. He’s elite defensively and on the glass, though.
Mitch reminds me of Tyson Chandler. Mitch Webster if I dare, as well.
Yeah, Tyson Chandler is a good comp. Minimal offensive game but *dang* can he defend.
Grimes is in the lineup because A) He’s probably the best perimeter defender at the 2 that the Knicks have, and B) He’s shooting 50% on cuts and 38% on catch and shoot 3s, which is what he’s paid to do. His numbers look worse because he’s missed almost everything outside of that, and he gets basically no opportunities, so his FG% is way worse than he actually merits. It’s so easy for minimal attempts to make you look terrible, because each miss has an outsized impact on your overall production.
Capela is another comp.
Capela has a deeper bag than Mitch, tbh. He’s not like, offensively diverse, but he has hooks and short floaters and scoop shots, he just doesn’t use ’em much. Robinson is either dunk or layup, that’s it.
So what are you saying????
He sucks now. Thibs has already addressed him. He needs to work out of it.
Grimes won’t last the yr here.
Is there a better player potentially available than KAT AND young enough to build around in the timeframe that these extra FRPs convey as well.
Its use it or lose it as far as trade value. They also have 17M doing squat on this roster. Could of had 32M in expiring if they had guaranteed DRose. Also a dumb move to decline is option. Literally set you up salary matching wise for a big time trade. Could have done DeRozan already. Could have gotten Jrue or Brogdon as well without giving up anything but picks.
Something tells me KAT isn’t available unless it’s a godfather offer, perhaps the fact that the Wolves are 16-4. He’s also on track for 50/40/90 and meshing well with Gobert this season.
They’d be in super 2 status w Rose ( unwise ) or they’d have to give up signing DDV to have kept Rose
It’s not as simple as you portray it
This isn’t baseball, there is no Super 2 in the NBA you mean their tax status?
The NYK’s situation, at least as the FO sees it, is that they’re currently a good team (top 10-ish), with a relatively young sutstainable rotation, that fits well together, and can still grow and improve together. The only missing piece is a true star, and that will likely have to change if they are to become a true contender.
If that’s an accurate assessment, and I think it’s at least close, then it makes no sense to make any major trade that doesn’t add that missing piece, or facilitates adding it. If, as is likely, that type of player isn’t reasonably available to them via trade, then he isn’t. Fawning over fool’s gold won’t change that. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t make any other trades, but those would be about facilitating the growth of the current group, not reconfiguring it.
Damn, and LaVine is not wanted by the Knicks now.
Knicks don’t need a top Star. Cause none are available. Minny is in first place. Why would they trade anyone ….
Grant and DeM make the most sense for Knicks. DeM ……. Thibs Get with it.
Embiid and KAT won’t be moved on is the MVP and the other is currently helping the TWolves to one of their best seasons in like a decade.
I think it’s the correct decision to overlook LaVine and DeRozan. Zach offers no defence and is very expensive, DeRozan is old and doesn’t shoot. Both are terrible fits in the current Knicks line up.
You need to find a good middle ground between untouchable and above average that also fits well with what you already have going on.
I’d suggest Lauri Markeneen, Kawhi Leonard, Keldon Johnson, Jerami Grant, OG Anunoby, Austin Reaves, Brandon Ingram and Paul George.
Lauri he’s already in rumours, would slide in at the 3. Improves the shooting/floor spacing aswell as his length providing rebounds, blocks and steals.
Kawhi and PG both depend on how the clippers season go and are more likely FA targets should they opt out. Keldon I really like as being a third option and team player on a winning team. Jerami similarly good third option, provides shooting and defence, possibly more available as he’s on a rebuilding Blazers team. OG likely means bye bye Barrett but I’d definitely do that. Reaves he’s also floated in trade talks after being demoted to the bench. Then lastly BI, again would be along the lines of pleasing Zion and RJ leaving and again I’d make that deal, although he’s not much of a better fit he is a better player tho