1. New York Knicks
Things have not gone as planned for the New York Knicks this season. They have seen some regression after earning the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. They have to figure out what direction they want to go in as a franchise.
If they are committed to developing the younger players, Tom Thibodeau may not be the man for the job. He is dead set on playing the veterans and winning as much as possible even if the results haven’t been great.
No matter what direction New York goes in, it is clear they need a little more talent to truly rise in the ranks. They were one of the teams mentioned as a possible landing spot for Donovan Mitchell and it is a match that makes a lot of sense.
Mitchell would provide the team with a bonafide go-to scorer, something they could certainly use. Being linked to CJ McCollum ahead of the deadline shows the team is in the market for a scorer and Mitchell would fit the bill.
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The New York Knicks should make anyone outside of RJ Barrett and Julius Randle available in trade talks. Mitchell wouldn’t solve their point guard issues completely, but he is a more than capable table-setter who has improved his playmaking every season in the NBA.
That trio could do some damage in the Eastern Conference, giving the New York Knicks a fighting chance every night. If they hit on filling out the roster around them, such as retaining Mitchell Robinson and the continued development of players such as Quentin Grimes, they could be in business. A starting five of Mitchell, Grimes, Barrett, Randle, and Robinson is a formidable one.
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Contracts of players such as Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, and Evan Fournier could be used to match salaries. Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin and Cam Reddish could be young players included, sweetening the deal.
