Trading for an All-Star has been a path the Knicks have explored in recent years as they’ve stockpiled future draft assets, but there are some new factors they’ll have to consider if and when they go star-hunting this summer, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.
For one, the emergence of Jalen Brunson as a legitimate All-Star and top-five MVP finisher significantly reduces the likelihood of the franchise pursuing another ball-dominant guard, Bondy observes.
The team will also have to weigh Julius Randle‘s fit going forward after getting to within one game of the Eastern Conference finals without him. As Bondy notes, Randle would be an obvious candidate to be included in certain trades for a star to complement Brunson, both for salary-matching purposes and because it probably wouldn’t make sense for New York to have three impact players who all need the ball in their hands.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Speaking at a charity event this week, Josh Hart said he’d happily play a recruiting role on behalf of the Knicks if the club is going after a specific free agent or trade target this offseason, according to Dan Martin of The New York Post. “If I have to be on the phone with someone, I’ll be there,” Hart said. The workhorse forward also reiterated that he’d like to see head coach Tom Thibodeau sign a contract extension: “He deserves it. He’s someone that works extremely hard and he prepares us. He makes sure we have the right mindset. But it’s not in my hands.”
- With the help of cap expert Yossi Gozlan (YouTube link), Ian Begley of SNY.tv takes a closer look at the most important contract decisions facing the Knicks this offseason. Begley says he believes it’s reasonable for forward OG Anunoby to earn $35MM per year on his next contract, noting that the rival Sixers are believed to be eyeing Anunoby and could put pressure on New York by making a big offer.
- Anunoby’s willingness to try to play through his hamstring injury in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday left an impression on members of the Knicks’ organization, Begley writes for SNY.tv. “He wasn’t moving well. (Prior to Game 6), they didn’t think he was going to play (in Game 7),” a source told Begley. “But he was adamant about playing.”
- Zach Braziller of The New York Post shares a player-by-player breakdown of the Knicks’ roster, examining how each player performed in 2023/24 and what their contract situations are for ’24/25 and beyond.
Mikal Bridges would be a dream get for the Knicks, although it’s difficult to imagine them and the Nets linking up. A guy who never misses games, is never injured, can play off-ball and create his own shot when needed, plays tough, quality defense, and would work well either as a Randle replacement or in addition to him and Brunson. Playing him at the 2 would allow them to play DDV as a high-quality sixth man to replace IQ’s role from last year and prior to the OG trade, and he’d flourish there with a ball-handling star like Brunson drawing so much defensive attention. Similar to how he did with Booker and Paul in Phoenix, but more offensively involved.
Trading away Randle also requires they replace him at the 4, so that’s something else to consider. Even when he’s not scoring efficiently, he can be valuable for his rebounding, defense, and ability to handle the ball for point-forward type plays. Risk-reward calculation favors moving him on paper, but basketball games aren’t won on paper.
I like the Rockets fit better tbh for all parties
Maybe its possible they get back #3 this year and the rights to their own 25~27 picks back from Hou
That be a big haul for Brk but one that just might be possible considering the landscape- IF the blocks real hot try and slip Whitmore in there too….they could certainly use Knicks interest as leverage tho to achieve BIG asks
Green Lawndale Tate Whitmore
Bridges Diop 24~27 picks back to Brk
Lakers trade proposal
Rui and Vincent for Randle
Knicks save $30 million
And this helps the Knicks how? Smh
Might as well throw in Dlo for Brunson to save knicks even more $
Bondy’s hypothetical star is quite a player. One day I hope to see him play. He’s good enough offensively to replace Randle as the second offensive option. But he’s not a ball dominant perimeter player. So, I guess that means he’s either a perimeter player good enough to be a second option while not being ball dominant, OR a scoring big man (PF or C). The former is a small group, and the latter an even smaller one, counting in its numbers Randle, who’s toward the top of the food chain there.
Not sure whether any of them will be viable Knicks targets this summer, but for what it’s worth, he does list some specific players in that story (Paul George, Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, etc.).
Yes, I saw that. But he nixed most of them. The only player he mentioned that I stopped to think about was Ingram, as he’s the only one I think is both likely to actually be available and age appropriate for the current group. Each situation is sui generis, but generally, if relying on any of these guys is necessary for a championship, I think they should revist tanking.