The New York Knicks are a team that is trying its best to make a push this season, as they finally made it out of the first round by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games and are down 3-1 against the Miami Heat in the second round. There are expectations for New York, considering the Knicks shocked the world to capture the 4th seed in the East two seasons ago behind All-NBA performer Julius Randle. After a disappointing year last season, the Knicks did exceptionally well to capture the 5th seed in the East and make the second round of the playoffs.
Still, even with plenty of decent basketball being played 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 is a major belief that this team is ready to be a title contender, but the only way forward for New York is to make a blockbuster deal to shake up the Eastern Conference. There are plenty of talented players available for the Knicks this summer, and there could be some big names that could be realistically possible for them to attract for the right prices.
Without further ado, here are the major targets for the New York Knicks. The Knicks need an upgrade in play to give Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle some help on both ends of the court, and these players could boost the Knicks back in the playoffs soon. In order to acquire one of these star players, the team might have to part ways with a mix of assets, including the likes of R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, Cam Reddish, and future picks such as two or three first-rounders.
Zach LaVine
2022-23 Season Statistics: 24.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG
In order for the New York Knicks to acquire a go-to scorer of LaVine’s caliber, it might have to come at the expense of a host of depth players and possibly two first-round picks. That is because the Chicago Bulls could be in rebuilding mode very soon. New York needs to acquire an All-Star perimeter scorer who can create his own offense and score the ball consistently. Clearing the roster of depth and future assets hands the keys to a massive market to LaVine, a player who has the highlight reel qualities to make a significant impact on the franchise.
For Zach LaVine, leading the charge in New York would be a huge achievement in his career. Of course, the Knicks will bring excitement back to the fanbase. The goal should be to move on from deadweight players, and start building around LaVine should they acquire him. A Big Three of Brunson, LaVine, and Randle makes things very interesting in the East because the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers have more star power to deal with rather than just amongst themselves.
Pascal Siakam
2022-23 Season Statistics: 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Pascal Siakam has always been a unique talent because he is extremely athletic at 6’9” and 230 lbs and he moves so well with quick bounce. He has also vastly improved as a passer and is an excellent finisher around the rim. The former Most Improved Player is posting All-Star numbers across the board, although he has not helped the Toronto Raptors grab a playoff spot until today.
Siakam and Randle would form one of the best frontcourt duos in the NBA, with Jalen Brunson pulling the strings from the backcourt. Siakam and Randle can both push the floor, rebound, and defend while competing on offense as inside finishers and also decent outside shooters. Getting Pascal Siakam out of Toronto won’t be easy, because it would require a mix of players, including Cam Reddish, and possibly valuable assets, including two or three first-round picks and guys like Immanuel Quickley.
Bradley Beal
2022-23 Season Statistics: 23.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Bradley Beal has been a force on offense over the past few seasons season. He averaged 31.3 PPG in 2021 and carried a heavy burden at the start of the season while the Washington Wizards were struggling to win games. Washington did their best to make the playoffs but they fell badly in five games to the favored Philadelphia 76ers with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Since then, Beal has not made the playoffs and his numbers have been down due to roster inconsistencies and personal injuries. No doubt, he belongs on a much more talented team that includes All-Star-caliber players such as Brunson and Randle.
Bradley Beal is an All-Star shooting guard but he doesn’t have enough in Washington to win and could do better in a much bigger market. Beal wants to play for a good team and he could be better off playing in the Eastern Conference rather than the Western Conference which has a ton of All-Star guards, including Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Paul George, Damian Lillard, and Luka Doncic. Bradley Beal can form a very strong team in New York under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden because he can become a go-to scorer alongside a playmaker in Brunson and an inside presence in Julius Randle.
Jaylen Brown
2022-23 Season Statistics: 26.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Jaylen Brown could be looking for a new start somewhere else, especially if he does not make an All-NBA Team this year and possibly doesn’t win an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. After all, Brown wants to feel “wanted” by an organization, and Boston dangling him in trade talks for Kevin Durant could have rubbed the player the wrong way. No doubt, Brown is one of the top 20 players in the world and gets it done on both ends of the floor and especially in the clutch. Any player posting over 26 PPG and 6 RPG while being a threat on the fast break would be untouchable, but the possibility of joining the Knicks could make the player force his way out of Boston to go to another big market. No doubt, New York would be the biggest market for a player of Brown’s talent.
The Knicks might have some strong competition from a team like the Houston Rockets that can offer Brown a chance to become a go-to scorer and legitimate All-NBA Team contender year after year. If Brown does not want to play for the Rockets, he can certainly play for the New York Knicks and get the chance to be a beloved player that isn’t behind another player’s spotlight as he is behind Jayson Tatum. A Big Three of Brunson, Randle, and Brown would be difficult to compete against and the Knicks should dangle any trade bait they can to get this deal over the line in any potential sign-and-trade situation.
Karl-Anthony Towns
2022-23 Season Statistics: 20.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Karl-Anthony Towns’ time in Minnesota could be up soon because it seems there is always something coming up that proves the big man is fed up with the Timberwolves and there could be mutual interest with the New York Knicks. Towns is a talented shooter from the outside and can rebound at a high level, but he has not particularly taken a step up in his play since making his third All-Star Team last year. For a player at the age of 27, his growth into a potential superstar has not been as expected. After all, Towns is a very good player and could be a superstar someday, and he wants to possibly play for another team.
The Knicks could do very well to let go of pieces including RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, Emmanuel Qickley, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2026 first-round pick. Towns would immediately become the starting center for the Knicks alongside Julius Randle, forming a formidable duo down low. Of course, Barrett and Brunson complete a rather talented Big Four. The Timberwolves might want to recoup some of the picks they let go to acquire solid but unspectacular center Rudy Gobert, and the Knicks could respond by snagging the talented shooter and creating a very solid starting lineup.
