The New York Knicks are a team that is trying its best to make a push for the NBA Finals next season, as they look to be in a position to make the playoffs as currently constructed. That is necessary, considering the Knicks shocked the world to capture the 4th seed in the East two seasons ago and even made the second round of the playoffs this season. The Knicks have looked inconsistent at times, however, and they need to rebuild the team properly to actually compete with the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.
With plenty of decent basketball going around, thanks to Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, role players, and even head coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks are once again in the spotlight in terms of media and fan pressure. There have been rumors that their star player should be traded and that their coach should be on the hot seat, but perhaps the best way forward for New York is to make a few blockbuster deals to shake up the Eastern Conference. There are plenty of talented stars available for the Knicks this season, and there could be some big names that could be realistically possible for them to attract.
Without further ado, here is the plan for the New York Knicks in terms of creating a powerful Big Four. The Knicks need an upgrade in help and big-man play, and specific star players could boost the Knicks to the top of the food chain in the East. Here is the master plan for the Knicks to make Madison Square Garden a fortress again for the first time in over four decades when they last won a championship.
A Smart Move For DeMar DeRozan
The very first step for the New York Knicks to create a Big Four is to go after 33-year-old All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who made his 6th All-Star Team this season. DeRozan can still score at an elite level and has playoff experience, so acquiring him is the building block for a superteam.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Chicago Bulls Receive: Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier
No doubt, DeMar DeRozan is a very interesting target for the New York Knicks. There are two major reasons why. The first is that DeRozan is a ball-dominant player, and he does fit in the context of what the Knicks have at this point because Brunson is the only shot-creator as a perimeter player. DeRozan can complement Brunson and will take the ball out of his hands, which helps the entire Knicks’ plan of ball-sharing this season. Secondly, DeRozan could want out of Chicago, and a big market suits his profile and talents very well.
DeRozan, who has been the Bulls’ most consistent star, has one year remaining on his deal. Playing on an expiring contract is a non-attractive situation for most high-caliber players, but the Knicks can’t be choosers. DeRozan is fresh off a season, posting 24.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 5.1 APG on 50.4% FG, 32.4% 3-PT FG, and 87.2% FT. In terms of one-on-one offense and shot creation, there isn’t much better than DeRozan right now because the player can get any shot he wants at almost any moment.
DeRozan creates a fantastic situation in New York because Brunson and DeRozan would be difficult to handle on the floor. DeMar is having a very strong season in terms of scoring the ball, as usual, but the Chicago Bulls are not exactly doing too well over the past two seasons. The team might be better off tanking rather than exhausting their efforts to face a first-round exit. The Bulls will want whatever expiring contracts and young players the Knicks can offer at this point. Quickley and Grimes are talented youngsters that Chicago will want to keep for the long term, and that benefits the Knicks spectacularly well.
A New Sharpshooting Big Man In Town
The second step for the New York Knicks master plan is trading for All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who is not only one of the best shooters in the world but is a unique talent. Towns is good enough to be the second-best player on a title team, and the Knicks will need to part ways with three important pieces and two picks to get the deal over the line.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Miles McBride, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2024 Second-Round Pick from Utah Jazz or Cleveland Cavaliers (More Favorable)
The New York Knicks have been looking to make a big splash in the NBA, and trading for Karl-Anthony Towns could be just the move they need to make. Towns is one of the best big men in the league and would be a great addition to the Knicks’ roster. He averaged 20.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 4.8 APG on 49.5% FG, 36.6% 3-PT FG, and 87.4% FT, while his numbers dipped in the playoffs to 18.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 2.0 APG on 45.7% FG, 25.0% 3-PT FG, and 75.0% FT. Even if Towns struggled in the playoffs, he is still a unique talent as a shooting big man at 27 years old.
RJ Barrett has shown some promise in his young career, but he has not yet lived up to his All-Star potential. Obi Toppin and Miles McBride are both youngsters who have shown some potential, but they are still unproven at the NBA level. The 2027 first-round pick and 2024 second-round pick are both valuable assets, but they are still several years away from being able to contribute to the Knicks’ roster. In a nutshell, none of these assets will make the Knicks lose sleep in terms of bringing in Karl-Anthony Towns.
Towns is a proven star in the NBA, having made three All-Star Teams already. He is a dominant force on both ends of the court when playing at his best and would be a great fit alongside Jalen Brunson and DeMar DeRozan. Towns is a great rebounder and shot blocker, and he can also score from anywhere on the court. The Knicks would be giving up some valuable assets in this trade, but they would be getting a player who could help them compete for a championship right away. Towns is still young at 27 years old and has plenty of years left in his prime, so he could be a cornerstone of the Knicks’ franchise for years to come. Not to mention, the big man is under contract until the 2025-26 season at supermax money, so he will be a franchise cornerstone going forward as well.
A Blockbuster Deal For Zion Williamson
With two All-Stars in town alongside Jalen Brunson, the final piece of the puzzle is superstar forward Zion Williamson, who is going through an unbelievable off-court situation that is puzzling the New Orleans Pelicans officials. Zion could benefit from a change of scenery, and joining the Knicks would be an exceptional move for all parties involved.
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Julius Randle, 2024 First-Round Pick from Detroit Pistons, 2025 First-Round Pick
The New York Knicks have been looking to make a big splash in the NBA, and trading for Zion Williamson could be just the move they need to turn their fortunes around. Williamson is one of the most exciting young players in the league and has the potential to be a franchise player for years to come. Pairing him with Jalen Brunson, DeMar DeRozan, and Karl-Anthony Towns could create a formidable foursome that could lead the Knicks to immediate success.
Julius Randle has been a solid player for the Knicks, but he may not be the long-term solution for the team. Trading him, along with two first-round picks, could be a fair price for Williamson. Zion’s career averages of 25.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 0.6 BPG on 60.5% FG are elite numbers that far exceed what Randle has done in his career (18.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.6 APG on 47.0% FG). Zion is also under contract until the 2025-26 season at under $40 million per season, so that is another great deal for the Knicks to absorb for the foreseeable future. Of course, the player himself might want a chance to play with the Knicks as well.
Williamson is a dominant force on the court with his combination of size, strength, and athleticism. He has the ability to score from anywhere on the court and is a tenacious rebounder, as we saw from his days with Duke University. His defensive skills are also impressive, making him a well-rounded player that could make a significant impact on the Knicks’ roster.
While the Knicks would be giving up some valuable assets in this trade, the potential of Williamson could be worth the risk. He has the potential to be a superstar in the league and could be the missing piece that the Knicks need to become a contender. With Brunson, DeRozan, and Towns already on the roster, the addition of Williamson could create a dynamic trio that could lead the Knicks to success for years to come.
The New York Knicks Win The 2023-24 NBA Championship With Their Big Four
The New York Knicks have not made the NBA Finals since the 1998-99 season, and that is unacceptable for such a team located in a big market. The Knicks have a budding All-Star point guard in Jalen Brunson, who averaged 24.0 PPG and 6.2 APG this season, and at 26 years old, he is a long-term option for the franchise. Giving him three new All-Star teammates would mean the Knicks are more than title favorites. In fact, the team would become the leading contender.
DeMar DeRozan is an elite scorer who is unselfish and can play off another ball-dominant point guard, and as long as he gets his mid-range touches, he will always compete on defense as well. The same goes for Karl-Anthony Towns, who can play off the ball for floor-spacing and also score inside consistently. As a 6’11” big man, Towns is also versatile in terms of defending multiple positions and can switch on defense exceptionally well. Finally, Zion Williamson can become the face of the NBA in a massive market in New York.
A duo of Towns and Zion works to perfection because the former can space the floor while Williamson attacks the rim as well. A pick-n-roll with Brunson and Towns leads to easy jumpers while one with Zion can lead to countless posters. Overall, a Knicks lineup with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, DeMar DeRozan, Zion Williamson, and Karl-Anthony Towns would create arguably the most complete starting lineup of all time.
The Knicks can’t settle for simply progressing to the second round of the playoffs because that might be the team’s ceiling at this point. Instead, moving Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and the rest of the depth makes perfect sense in terms of being a title contender. The bench can easily be complete in the free agent market with a host of players looking for minimum deals to try to win a ring while also potentially living in New York for the long term. Even if the Phoenix Suns acquired Bradley Beal, they do not have the star power that the Knicks offer while other contending teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Golden State Warriors simply can’t match up with four All-Stars in their prime.
