Historically, the New York Knicks haven’t been a very successful franchise. Most of their existence has been spent just trying to build a steady playoff contender.
This summer, though, the Knicks went all-out in their quest to build the best team possible. And after committing huge salaries to Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle, the team has a core they can roll with for the next few years.
And while some are optimistic about the new-look Knicks, not everybody sees them in the same light. On Twitter, for example, fans actually flamed the organization for paying those guys so much money.
This has to be the most expensive Mid 3 ever https://t.co/j2wCwW47NH
— Patrick Lawrence (@iAmPatrickL) August 30, 2022
😒😒😒 Randle a big three ? https://t.co/qX1JYSkZ4A pic.twitter.com/9iDidY1f2V
— Skiillz 💋 (@Mzskiillz) August 31, 2022
the 2020s knicks are the new version of the 2010s pistons idk how to explain it https://t.co/bjSIgRNyxo
— Zariq (@zariqxavier) August 31, 2022
3 dudes who can’t go Right… https://t.co/Cs8PnFkasV pic.twitter.com/KkvtsHRtkb
— GivePeaceAChance (@ThirdRail44) August 30, 2022
https://twitter.com/slattlegsanji/status/1564761687521214465
jaylen brown marcus smart and robert williams are all better and make over 100 million less combined https://t.co/V0XMapukkM
— mitchell (@DeversFanAcc) August 30, 2022
poverty franchise par excellence https://t.co/04tmzCxa46
— Dave Algonquin (@the_real_matt_m) August 30, 2022
None of those guys are max-level producers on the court, but they should keep the Knicks competitive in the East and could even make a surprise playoff run. Unfortunately, what they have now is probably not enough to win a title, which is why Donovan Mitchell’s name continues to come up.
As a young superstar and expert-level scorer, he could be the guy that takes this squad to the next level, and the Knicks could still pull off a deal to get him…
The Jazz continue to have strong interest in Knicks’ wing RJ Barrett, per SNY sources. Evan Fournier’s name has also come up in discussions, sources say. The Jazz are seeking at multiple first-round picks. Utah would want at least one of the trio of Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley in a trade if Barrett is included, per sources.
Where do the Knicks stand on including Barrett in the deal?
Last month, SNY reported that people in touch with the Knicks early in the free agency period were under the impression that the club had no interest in trading the former No. 3 pick. That stance has shifted. Some New York decision-makers are open to including Barrett in a trade for Mitchell, sources say (h/t SNY).
Even without Mitch, a core of Barrett, Brunson, and Randle puts the Knicks in a better spot than they’ve been in years. They have some real star-level talent on the team, and they are all young enough to continue to get better and improve.
While it may not be the dream team fans were hoping for, it’s probably the best the Knicks could have done this summer, given the circumstances.
