The New York Knicks are one team many people expect to make a move ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. They have already made one blockbuster, completing a deal with the Toronto Raptors before the new year which has catapulted the team to levels of success not experienced by the franchise in a long time.
The Knicks acquired OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn from the Raptors in exchange for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and a future second-round pick via the Detroit Pistons. Since that trade, New York has gone 15-3 and ascended the Eastern Conference standings.
Knocking on the door of the No. 2 seed, the Knicks have cemented their standing as a top team in the NBA. But, to make that standing even more sturdy, they could use a few reinforcements for the stretch run.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, New York Knicks Updates
New York is in desperate need of another shot creator. That need has only been exacerbated by the loss of Julius Randle, who will be sidelined for a few weeks with a shoulder injury. Without him, the offensive load has been carried almost exclusively by Jalen Brunson, as opponents are daring other players on the team to beat them.
In their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the need for more shot creation was evident as ever. Los Angeles doubled-teamed Brunson consistently, taking the ball out of his hands and forcing other players to make a play. The results were disastrous as New York blew a fourth-quarter lead and scored only 19 points in the frame.
To fill that void, the Knicks don’t need to make a blockbuster deal. They have the assets to swing a smaller deal for someone such as Malcolm Brogdon, Jordan Clarkson or Bruce Brown, but, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report believes New York will swing a huge deal and be the winners of the Dejounte Murray sweepstakes.
“..In theory, there’s still plenty of depth in the backcourt with Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart, but those latter two can also play on the wing. Neither is quite the on-ball threat Quickley was.
Murray can replace that, and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau might be able to help him rediscover the defensive prowess that contributed to him making an All-Star with the San Antonio Spurs.
New York should have enough ammo to pull off a deal too. Evan Fournier’s contract is some of the best salary filler on the market right now (his $19 million for 2024-25 is a team option, so it’s essentially an expiring contract right now). The Knicks have deep trove of draft assets, and Dejounte Murray’s Atlanta Hawks might be interested in Quentin Grimes,” wrote Bailey.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, New York Knicks Updates
The Knicks reportedly aren’t including Quentin Grimes in any trade talks unless it results in a legitimate upgrade to their rotation. Murray would certainly qualify as such, as he would fill all of the needs the roster currently has as currently constructed.
With Leon Rose and CAA squashing the beef they had with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, Klutch clients would seemingly be in play for New York now. Murray is a Klutch client and no better way to bury the hatchet than to land one of their most sought-after players.
Donte DiVincenzo has thrived as the starting shooting guard, turning into an elite 3-point shooter. But, if the opportunity presented itself to land a difference-making shot-creator with the two-way skill set of Murray, the Knicks will think long and hard about pulling the trigger on a deal.
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