There may not be a team in the NBA that is itching as much as the New York Knicks are to make a trade. Over the last few years, Leon Rose and the front office have done an excellent job of stockpiling assets, acquiring draft capital and tradeable contracts to pull off a blockbuster deal.
The Knicks have been mentioned in a few scenarios, such as last summer when the Utah Jazz made Donovan Mitchell available. This summer, it was MVP’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid to whom New York was attached.
Patience has been preached when it comes to finding the right deal. The Knicks, as currently constructed, are a very good team. They can compete with anyone in the NBA, but it remains to be seen if they can get over the hump and become true contenders.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Leon Rose & New York Knicks Updates
To reach that level, in the opinion of many analysts, the Knicks are still one piece away. Adding a bonafide superstar to the mix would certainly change that. According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, that is something New York’s brass has been preparing for. Pressure isn’t on to make a deal ahead of the deadline in February, but they know a move has to be made eventually.
“The Knicks have been preparing themselves with draft assets and the development of young players to make the kind of big trade necessary to move into the elite of the Eastern Conference and NBA. I don’t think they feel a need to force that at the trade deadline, but I do think they’re anxious to find that deal by the offseason. There’s a ceiling on this current roster, although it is no small accomplishment given the last few decades in New York to have constructed a consistent playoff team. But yes, they need to make the next step and they’ve positioned themselves well to do so once another star – or stars – become available for a trade,” Wojnarowski wrote on Threads.
The Knicks and everyone involved in the NBA or who follows basketball knows they are on the hunt for a star. But, they cannot just surrender assets to make a trade just because. It has to be for the right player or players that can fit and build upon the foundation, not weaken it.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Leon Rose & New York Knicks Updates
New York knows what that is like already from their acquisition of Carmelo Anthony. That deal gutted the roster and all of the team’s assets, making it impossible to build a contender around their star. They got close during the 2012-13 season, but that was a one-off as the team quickly fell back into irrelevancy.
That is something Rose is looking to avoid this time around. He wants the Knicks to become sustainable contenders, near the top of the Eastern Conference for multiple years not just be a flash in pan.
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