Kemba Walker

Trading for Kemba Walker would likely be something the Knicks would plan on doing closer to this season;s trade deadline, rather than wait til the offseason or next season. Seeing as the Celtics still have not broken through and made the NBA Finals, and the fact that Kemba Walker is slowly getting back in the swing of things after an offseason knee procedure was done, the Knicks could potentially get Walker at a discounted price. 

Not only do the New York Knicks need a superstar player, but they need to be willing to show potential All-Star free agents that they are legit. New York is a fantastic sports market and a lot of big name players would probably love to play for the Knicks, but nobody wants to go to a team that struggles to win 20 games every year.

The Knicks need to prove that they have changed their franchise around and are able to make a push in the Eastern Conference. It may not matter if they make the playoffs this year or not, but they need to prove they can win games with this young core and by bringing in Kemba Walker, it makes the Knicks an interesting team to watch.

R.J. Barrett and first-round pick Obi Toppin are the two faces of the franchise moving forward and with Kemba as their leader, a lot of good can come out of this situation. Not only would Walker and Barrett be a great one-two punch for the Knicks’ backcourt, but Kemba is a very well respected and liked player around the NBA. A lot of high-level players would likely want to play with him, giving the Knicks plenty of leverage when it comes time for free agency. 

Bringing in Kemba Walker sends a message to the rest of the players in the NBA that the Knicks are legit and willing to do what it takes to make star players comfortable and happy in a market like New York. Whether it is Walker or somebody else, the Knicks need to trade for an All-Star level talent this year and given the upside Kemba could bring to this team, it would make sense to acquire him now.

He is very much a couple first-round picks and some young players like Kevin Knox and Dennis Smith Jr and could be the spark the Knicks need in their lineup. Joining the Knicks could also allow Kemba Walker to be a lot like he was in Charlotte and be the team’s main scorer. With the Celtics, he has taken a back seat to guys like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, which has been fine, but going to the Knicks gives Kemba everything he would want.