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New York Knicks: How a superstar signing impacts their incumbent team

By Rob Wolkenbrod

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 4: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 4: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Knicks (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

If the New York Knicks sign a superstar in free agency, how would it impact their incumbent team?

The New York Knicks have the chance to reinvent their franchise this summer and sign up to two max contracts. Those can apply to the superstars who hit free agency, some of which may win the NBA Championship in June.

So it these stars leaving their respective teams not only impacts their new destination. These teams have to pick up the pieces, and the Knicks could be at the center of this.

In 2010, the Knicks signed Amar’e Stoudemire from the Phoenix Suns. While other factors went into this, the Suns have yet to make the postseason since Stoudemire’s last season with his first franchise.

In 2018, LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made the NBA Finals, for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavs had the third worst record to close the 2018-19 season.

How could this happen with 2019 free agency’s group of stars? What if two of them leave for the Knicks?

Jimmy Butler

An early season circus with the Minnesota Timberwolves led to Jimmy Butler trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams. He joined Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris arrived in a trade deadline transaction in February.

The Sixers risked it with two soon-to-be free agents, however. Butler has a player option, but at age 30 for the 2019-20 season, this might be his last chance to cash in on a long-term contract.

If Philadelphia loses their third star to free agency, they will have to put all efforts into re-signing Harris. Maybe they already look to bring both players back, but a handful of teams have the necessary cap space to make it interesting, including if the New York Knicks lose out on their top targets.

General manager Elton Brand proved to be aggressive with in-season moves, so maybe he has backup plans, but replacing Butler’s impact at both ends of the court is difficult.

The Sixers are still a playoff team just with Embiid and Simmons in the Eastern Conference, but they will need more pieces around them, especially with JJ Redick, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott also set for free agency.

Butler leaving could that begin a flurry of players leaving, or everyone opts to stay and the Sixers soar past the salary cap. Either way, there is an interesting offseason ahead in the Northeast.