The New York Knicks have made an interesting move to trade RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for OG Anunoby to bolster the team’s perimeter defense and shooting. Instead of having to pay both Barrett and Quickley for the long term, they brought in a 26-year-old swingman who is just entering his prime. However, the Knicks need to make another blockbuster deal to reach a new level and their February trade deadline guide shows why.
Last season, the Knicks won 47 games led by Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson but only made it to the second round of the playoffs. This season, New York needs to make a move to try to make the Eastern Conference Finals at least and there are five dream targets for the Knicks to reach that new level.
Dejounte Murray
The Knicks could find a way to keep Brunson and Randle on the team and still add another All-Star-caliber player as long as they give up two first-round picks. That deal could see Dejounte Murray coming to New York in a blockbuster deal.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Dejounte Murray
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2025 First-Round Pick (Bucks)
There are a few teams linked to Dejounte Murray right now but the Knicks are reportedly interested in the guard. Murray is one of the better two-way guards in the Eastern Conference and while he won’t guarantee the Knicks a championship by any means, he can be a difference-maker alongside Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. If the Knicks can find a way to score Murray and still keep their core, their probability of making the Eastern Conference Finals greatly increases.
Murray is averaging 20.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this season and while his numbers would decrease if he played for the Knicks considering the two All-Stars beside him, the key is if he can impact winning. The Knicks would do well to acquire a 27-year guard who has five more years of his prime at least and the Knicks can focus on competing for the long-term with that.
Zach LaVine
Luckily for the Knicks, the Chicago Bulls are in a complete rebuild and Zach LaVine could be available for cheap. LaVine is having a down year, averaging under 21 points per game for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign when he was only in his fourth season.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2025 First-Round Pick (Bucks)
The Chicago Bulls are in a complete rebuild and trading away assets such as DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine would kickstart a new era for them. The Knicks need a star player and LaVine would be the answer for them in that sense, more than DeRozan since he is six years younger and has greater potential for the long term. LaVine is averaging 20.7 points per game this season and will get better with better play around him.
LaVine can stretch the floor for the Knicks and having another sharpshooter opens up the floor for Brunson to attack the rim and Randle to finish. Coach Tom Thibodeau will also get LaVine to buy into a defensive mindset and be effective on the fast break as well. The Knicks need more star power and while LaVine isn’t a superstar player, he will sell tickets and bring some excitement and flair to Madison Square Garden for the first time since Carmelo Anthony.
Without disrespect to Brunson and Randle, LaVine’s playing style would translate the best in terms of making the Garden “pop” again. If he can do that while making the team even better on offense, it is a great trade for the Knicks overall.
Karl-Anthony Towns
The New York Knicks have had Karl-Anthony Towns on their radar for a while now, but it seems that they don’t want to include center Mitchell Robinson in any deal for him. In other words, the Knicks want to pair Towns with Robinson and that means Julius Randle could be involved in the blockbuster deal.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Julius Randle, Quentin Grimes, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2025 First-Round Pick (Bucks)
The Knicks can find a way to mimic what the Timberwolves are doing with Rudy Gobert by pairing Towns and Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt. Towns would be the best possible partner alongside Robinson because he can form a modern twin-towers pairing that brings size and shooting. Towns is shooting 39.4% from three this season and 39.5% over his career, so he would elevate the Knicks in that sense.
Randle has been a standout performer for the Knicks as a two-time All-Star, but Towns has greater potential and could bring a completely different skill set to New York. Randle is a terrific all-around player but he only shoots 33.1% from three for his career and Brunson would probably have a better season passing to an elite marksman.
If the Knicks can play all their players outside the paint and have Robinson inside, that could diversify their offense much more. The fact that Towns is only 28 years old means he is younger than Randle and has a much higher ceiling when it comes to reaching another level in his all-around impact.
Zion Williamson
One of the biggest dreams for the Knicks franchise is finding a way to trade for former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson. Williamson has managed to stay healthy this season and is having a productive season, but he belongs in a big market and New York is the place for the superstar big man.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Julius Randle, Quentin Grimes, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2025 First-Round Pick (Bucks)
Zion Williamson is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and promising young talents in the NBA as he is posting 21.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, making him a dream target for the New York Knicks. Despite the Knicks missing out on the opportunity to draft him in 2019 (taking RJ Barrett with the No. 3 overall pick) the persistent rumors surrounding a potential move to New York have kept fans’ hopes alive. Luckily for the Knicks, a trade for Zion could be on the table.
Zion’s playing style is tailor-made for the kind of electrifying, highlight-reel basketball that captures the attention of Madison Square Garden. His explosive athleticism, thunderous dunks, and powerful presence in the paint make him a box office star, a quality the Knicks have been longing for since Carmelo Anthony left. Most importantly, Zion’s ability to dominate inside the paint provides the Knicks with a dynamic offensive threat.
At six years younger than the current Knicks star, Julius Randle, Zion would offer the franchise a long-term solution and a potential face of the team for years to come. Building around a young and incredibly talented player like Williamson aligns with the Knicks’ aspirations for sustained success and relevance in the league. While losing a player of Randle’s caliber wouldn’t be easy, the prospect of acquiring Zion would undoubtedly create a seismic shift in the media and news landscape.
Donovan Mitchell
No doubt, Donovan Mitchell is the player who would change life for the New York Knicks more than any other player. The All-Star shooting guard is one of the best scorers in the NBA and his future is uncertain in Cleveland right now, meaning the Knicks can strike a deal for him and create a new Big Three with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Julius Randle, Quentin Grimes, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2025 First-Round Pick (Bucks)
There has been some buzz about six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell hitting the trade market, and it’s turning heads for good reason. Mitchell’s on-court game is hard to ignore. Averaging a solid 27.2 points per game this season, he’s not just a scorer – he’s a consistent threat that can drop 40 points on any given night. That kind of scoring power could take the Knicks to a whole new level.
Imagine Mitchell teamed up with a playmaker and floor general like Brunson. That combo could be a game-changer, taking the Knicks’ offense to new heights. It’s not just about putting up points; it’s about creating a dynamic backcourt that keeps opponents guessing since Brunson is averaging 6.4 assists per game this season. Losing Randle would hurt, considering he could make an impact in Cleveland for a new-look side. However, snagging a 27-year-old shooting guard like Mitchell gives the Knicks a solid core to build around for the future.
The Knicks are sitting at 16th in the NBA in salary cap this season since the OG Anunoby trade and they have some financial wiggle room. This means they can explore the buyout market and even dive into free agency in 2024 to build a contender around Mitchell. The former No. 13 overall pick has the potential to be their biggest star since Carmelo Anthony. In due time, the Knicks can step back into the spotlight, challenging the Celtics and Bucks in the Eastern Conference.
