The New York Knicks Trade Rumors have long been a prying subject in the league. From their historical legacy to their passionate fans, every move they do-or don’t-do is filled with loads of rumors. And now that the 2024 season has started, the Knicks are at the point of being critical. Not title contenders by a long shot but from a cellar-dwelling crew a few seasons ago.
Strengths
There is revival of the Knicks on most fronts, concerning their bright young core and adequate role players. Flashes of brilliance are reflected while playing with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle in the mix. Brunson is first and foremost a true star who bloomed from his stellar breakout at the Mavericks, proving that his spectacular run isn’t a fluke. Randle sometimes goes cold, but his aggressiveness gives the Knicks a much-needed source of scoring. There is also the defensive strength of Mitchell Robinson, along with young talent in the form of RJ Barrett, that the Knicks have a starting point to build upon.
Weaknesses
There are obvious areas of weakness, however, which the Knicks need to take care of if they aspire to become true contenders. Starting at the top of the list, their perimeter shooting has been inconsistent. While Brunson and Randle can score in bunches, the Knicks lack a reliable knockdown shooter to spread the floor. Their three-point shooting ranks among the bottom half of the league, which makes them predictable on offense. The team also needs another elite playmaker to take some of the offensive burden off Brunson.
Depth is another weakness.None, however has been a sure nightly contributor. The Knicks will need additional punch on the bench if they are to really make a serious push for the playoffs.
The Latest Trade Rumors
1. Zach LaVine to the Knicks?
One of the more serious rumors floating around concerns a move by the Knicks on Chicago Bulls’ shooting guard Zach LaVine. A high-scoring guard who addresses the team’s need for periphery shooting and playmaking now, LaVine would be an immediate answer. With the Bulls in disarray, not to mention supposedly willing to rebuild, the line suggests he may be had for the right price.
The 24-year-old, two-time All-Star average is over 24 points per game with a respectable 37.5% three-point shooting last season. Pairing him with Brunson and Randle would give the Knicks a formidable Big Three that could compete in the increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.
The asking price probably would come high. Bulls are reportedly seeking multiple first-round picks and young assets. So for the Knicks, it might mean trading players like Quickley or Grimes, or possibly Barrett and sending along some future draft picks. Is LaVine worth mortgaging for the future? That is the dilemma that has to be weighed upon by the Knicks front office.
Of course, it would take a lot to get Towns – probably two or more of those first-rounders, possibly even Barrett or Robinson, too.
They invested deeply into Rudy Gobert and Edwards. Therefore, it seems Towns will not be untouchable as before. If the Knicks want to gain a championship, this is the kind of blockbuster they may need.
Possible Trade Packages
The Knicks are a few teams in the league with a treasure trove of trade assets. They have all their future first-round picks, as well as extra picks from other trades that have occurred in the past. In addition, they have bright young players who may interest rebuilding teams.
Draft Picks
Take for example, the Knicks have multiple first-rounders coming in future drafts, plus picks from the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards acquired due to the trades they did with them. That’s likely what unlocks that big trade.
Rebuilding teams place maximum draft capital value on these. The Knicks are somewhat positioned in this way.
Youthful Talent
Some other sources of interest include players such as Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Miles McBride, who have all shown flashes of possible potential-they are interesting trade assets. Quickley has attracted quite a good amount of attention around the league with his scoring ability and his defensive tenaciousness; the Knicks would like to hold onto their young core but may have to give up some of those young players to acquire an established star.
Expiring Contracts
The Knicks Trade Rumors have a few expiring contracts that they could use to shave off a balance in a trade. For instance, including Evan Fournier and Josh Hart in the package deal could help the Knicks level the salary scale to make room for a more expensive star player.
Dilemma For The Front Office: Patience Or Aggression?
The question, though lies in either being patient or aggressive enough to do something for a big league.
The Case for Patience
The Knicks have a young, talented core that is still developing. Brunson is just entering his prime, and Barrett continues to get better every year.
The Case for Aggression
And the window for contention in the NBA may be small.
Conclusion
The New York Knicks at a crossroad. Finally, with a good nucleus, a team like that can make a deep playoff run. However, to really compete for the championship, they may need to be active in the trade.
