The New York Knicks could make a big trade during this season, so who are the best players they should target?
As soon as we said grace and cut the turkey, the Christmas trees went up, retail discount codes hit the inbox, and NBA trade rumors picked up steam. No better way to show your thankfulness during the holidays than to scavenge for things you don’t have.
This is no new territory for the New York Knicks and its fans, both of whom anticipating a move for a[n apparently much-needed] star:
On December 15, new players signed during the offseason will become eligible for trade (Donte DiVincenzo, for example). While a star may not be available during the season, the Knicks must consider filling some glaring holes in the roster if they’re serious about competing with the top dogs in the league this season.
I scoured the internet and polled some of the KFTV writers to gauge interest in potential midseason trade targets. Some pricier than others, I split the players up into four categories and assessed which ones made the most sense. So, grab a cart, and let’s go shopping:
The Dollar Tree Gifts
KFTV’s Remi (Recap) Se: “Danilo Gallinari gives us a big forward that probably won’t cost much and could also provide some shooting. We have the Obi Toppin trade exception to offer for Gallo and could throw in one of the many second-round picks available or even one of our young end-of-bench guys to sweeten the pot.”
We know Gallo to be a sniper, but the 35-year-old is shooting just 30.8 percent from three as Washington’s backup center. He would still be a good veteran presence and emergency depth piece, though a Knicks reunion would be more likely via buyout in the late winter.
Other names: Torrey Craig, Chris Boucher, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris, Doug McDermott
The Knicks need depth at forward as insurance for RJ Barrett and Julius Randle. Ideally, a player like Craig or Covington could break the rotation or play spot minutes off the bench for Tom Thibodeau with their 3&D ability. Morris, Batum, and McDermott would provide shooting, though I doubt the Sixers would make a deal within the division. Still, any cheap addition would be better than nothing.
Sale Rack Checks
KFTV’s Alex Trataros: “The Knicks need to add a backup power forward who is a switchable defender. Rui Hachimura gives you that. Plus, he is shooting 50 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three!”
I never considered Rui, given his new contract, but it’s interesting. He could play the Obi Toppin role with a little more shot-creating ability, and the Lakers may value Fournier’s expiring deal to use for a bigger trade this year or next. Giving up two picks would signal a white flag to waiting on a superstar megadeal. Rui fits the Knicks’ timeline, but his long-term deal could limit New York’s financial flexibility, especially as it pertains to the Immanuel Quickley extension.
KFTV’s Remi Se: “If the Knicks continue to float near the top of the second tier of teams with Grimes struggling, I think a push for Alex Caruso could give them a similar level of defender with the experience to find his fit among the Knicks many ball-handlers. Grimes and Fournier for Caruso and Patrick Williams would be a nice way to salvage value if Grimes is still struggling a month from now.”
The important caveat here is if Grimes is struggling—he’s been great off the bench so far. Even still, the deal would be controversial, given that Grimes was a key asset during the Donovan Mitchell negotiations. Caruso is a winning, Thibs-esque player, but this win-now piece is not at a position of necessity, and discussions would ramp up about the Knicks’ inability to maximize young and homegrown talent (see: Obi Toppin and Cam Reddish).
Enter Patrick Williams, a former fourth overall pick, a 6’7″ wing who hasn’t sniffed his hypothetical Kawhi Leonard ceiling. His potential as a top-tier 3&D wing still exists, however. He will be a restricted free agent, and if the Knicks believe in him enough as a reclamation project, it’s worth a swing—I doubt he has a huge market, anyway. I think Tom Thibodeau would value his length and career 40.4 percent shooting from three. If he provides anything in addition to that between Brunson and Randle, then RJ Barrett becomes expendable.
My opinion on this deal may change. Ideally, they could pluck Williams from the Bulls without giving up Grimes. But we don’t live in a perfect world.
Other names: Kelly Olynyk, Deni Avdija, Jonathan Isaac, Royce O’Neale, Kenrich Williams, Saddiq Bey
These players have roles on other teams, but I’d still check their prices each month, just in case. Olynyk provides bigman spacing that made RJ Barrett say “paint’s wide open” during FIBA. The other four provide some combination of defense and shooting at the forward spot and could have futures on this team beyond this year. Shoutout to Avdija specifically, who I believe would fit the read-and-react system well with his ball-handling, passing (3.9 assists per game), and IQ at 6’9″. His 4-year, $55 million extension is pennies in today’s NBA.
Luxury Goods
KFTV’s Chip Murphy: “Bojan Bogdanovic isn’t the household name Knicks fans have been clamoring for, but he’s been remarkably consistent over the last five seasons You can never have enough shooting, and you won’t need to pay the price you would for one of the Bulls’ two ‘stars.’ Bogdanovic’s contract is another positive, as he’s in the final guaranteed year of his deal. His name has come up enough in connection to the Knicks to believe that this front office likes his game. The trade makes sense.”
I’ve been thinking a lot about this deal. Aside from Bojan’s career 39.4 percent mark from deep, he brings a natural good feel for the game and has been on several winning teams, namely the Donovan Mitchell-Utah Jazz squad. It would take a pick or two (or three?) to pluck him from the Pistons, who believe in him as a core part of their culture. What culture? I don’t know. But I think he’d look good with the Knicks if Detroit changes their mind.
KFTV’s Geoffrey Campbell: “O.G. Anunoby is a classic NBA wing that would fit very well with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. Although the team would not be a championship contender, they would be one step closer.
My package for OG would include Immanuel Quickley, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jericho Sims, Deuce McBride, and whatever other salary fillers you need to equal Anunoby’s salary plus one unprotected first and one protected first. People may think this is a lot, but rumors from last year’s trade deadline indicated that a team offered upwards of 4-5 first-round picks for OG’s services.”
KFTV’s Remi Se on O.G. Anunoby: “I’m not sure if OG is realistic, especially after the Knicks’ lawsuit against the Raptors. But he’s the perfect fit for New York’s needs. He’s an elite defender and swing forward who takes six threes a game with good efficiency. RJ, one unprotected pick, and the Dallas-protected pick for OG is the most I’m willing to offer, though I doubt that gets it done.”
Interesting—both writers have the same target, but two different ideas to make it happen. I think the Raptors could be interested in acquiring Quickley with the right to re-sign him, considering his theoretical natural fit with Scottie Barnes as a long-term point guard. RJ Barrett would be a tougher fit, but he’s the hometown kid, and fastbreaks would be fun to watch with those two forwards.
Lawsuit or not, I think Toronto would accept the best deal they can get if O.G. Anunoby signals that he may not re-sign. But he, 26, complements Scottie so well already. A bidding war would begin for his services around the deadline, and while the Knicks could use his elite defense and consistent shooting—in RJ’s slot more than anything—they should proceed with caution if the price gets too steep.
Other names: Kyle Kuzma, Zach LaVine
With Kuzma, the Knicks would have a tall, do-it-all forward with experience playing in a defensive-minded championship team, and his four-year, $92 million contract is descending, music to Leon’s ears. He’d be a pricey bench piece, but an RJ/Randle decision will have to be made eventually, and having Kuz enables some flexibility in that regard. Would Thibs like him? That’s another story.
Zach LaVine is a great three-level scorer. However, he’s only a viable option if you believe the Knicks could survive with him defensively in place of Barrett, and if you think the 28-year-old’s knees will hold up. But with the $89 million guaranteed left on his deal, financial flexibility down the road would suffer, and the Knicks’ ceiling wouldn’t be too much higher.
“Sell Your Soul” Prices
KFTV’s Geoffrey Campbell: “Spida [Donovan Mitchell] feels like destiny to me. Watching him talk about how close he came to being a Knick felt like watching that Michael B. Jordan meme after he broke up with Lori Harvey. The man wants the bright lights of Broadway—Leon should bring him home.
A trade for Spida would come with a hefty price tag. He’s under 30 and just entering his prime. My trade package would include RJ Barrett, IQ, Grimes, two unprotected 1sts, and two pick swaps. We have to accept that IQ is leaving in any deal we make, and I’d rather give up Grimes and depend on Divo and Hart to make up non-Spida minutes at shooting guard. Also, I would hope that giving up both, IQ and Grimes could limit the picks compensation in the package.”
Donovan Mitchell is still easily in play and could happen as soon as 2024 if the Cavaliers have an underwhelming year. The package Geoff suggests is probably what the Jazz wanted, but the price will depend on the other teams interested in Spida. Quickley would likely not have a long-term future alongside Darius Garland, but Mitchell’s leverage come February or the offseason may be enough to force Cleveland’s hand.
I also have questions about how Brunson and Mitchell would perform together defensively without an Evan Mobley-esque player protecting them. More significant, immediate moves would have to be made, and the Knicks would find themselves still in need of what they lack now: a 3&D forward.
Other names: Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zion Williamson
Let’s toss aside the KAT rumors for now, considering Minnesota is first in the West and is reportedly not interested in Julius Randle.
If Mikal Bridges were in any other division, let alone city, he would be a prime trade candidate. And it’s not just the obvious Villanova connection, though the innate chemistry would help. The 6’6″ wing is like an evolved Pokémon form of O.G. Anunoby, with his elite defense and shooting, budding shot-creation ability, and longer-term bargain three-year, $70 million deal. But unless Mikal pouts, it’s just a dream.
We all watched Zion waddle up and down the court in Vegas. I understand that a new environment could motivate him, but his actions reflect some obvious character flaws that don’t scream “ready for New York.” The Knicks need winners and dedicated professionals. My opinion may change, but that’s only if Williamson’s habits do, too.
Conclusion
The fit with Barrett and Randle together remains atrocious, the best players are the worst defenders, the best defender is getting surgery, the isolation-heavy offense creates no rhythm, the young players get short leashes, and every tall shooter licks their chops when the Knicks come to town; there’s a lot to be concerned about for the 2023-24 Knicks. Let’s not even talk about Quickley’s inevitable departure.
Ironically, after all this trade talk, the best course of action may be to stand pat and keep the 2024 picks. The Knicks could have up to four picks in this year’s draft: their own first, the Mavs’ top-10 protected firsts, and two seconds from Detroit and Utah. How opposing organizations value New York’s draft equity is beyond me, but they could find rotational players on rookie-scale deals to potentially replace Quickley and Hartenstein and maintain cap flexibility and access to the mid-level exception.
It’s not that the Knicks need a star, but they could use direction. Do they want to maximize Brunson’s and Randle’s prime together under Thibs? Or do they believe in RJ, Grimes, and Quickley? This binary reflects two different timelines, priorities, and styles of play. Patience is a virtue only when it’s strategic. Otherwise, I’d consider it inactivity. To rest your laurels on the availability of a star is to seize control of your destiny. And honestly, it reeks of a general manager trying to prolong his job security.
With Mitchell Robinson’s injury, it’s likely the Knicks will have a disappointing down year. How the front office steers this limbo phase will determine the fate of this era of the New York Knicks.
Which realistic targets do you want to see the Knicks pursue? Let us know in the comments below.
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