New York Knicks: 4 Lessons from the Miami Heat rebuild
By Allen Settle
Step #3: Target a building-block star
Star players are the most valuable commodity in the NBA. This makes acquiring one extremely difficult. But it is possible. Look at the Miami Heat. Their success required adding a legitimate All-Star caliber player in Jimmy Butler. Once future Hall-of-Famer Dwyane Wade aged and retired, the franchise needed a closer, someone who could get their own shot in late game situations. The Knicks have lacked this type of player since Carmelo Anthony left the city. And Kristaps Porzingas left before he had a chance to take over that role.
So where does this leave New York? Of course landing a star makes a team better. There’s no more obvious statement. Here’s the major takeaway: the goal (right now) is adding a star, not necessarily a superstar.
For years, Knicks fans have been convinced their city and major market appeal would land them a transcendent talent. LeBron James was coming to NYC, until he didn’t—three times. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were NYC bound, until they chose the crosstown Nets.
The Knicks do not have the culture, winning history, or infrastructure to land a generational talent. The goal, at this point, is not to lure Giannis Antetokounmpo. Or Kawhi Leonard. The Knicks cannot put all their eggs in that basket.
However, there is still hope. Miami didn’t spark change with a superstar. They sparked change with a good player. The Knicks can follow that mold. Rumors have swirled around a potential Knicks trade for players like Chris Paul, Victor Oladipo, or Russell Westbrook. I’ve personally written about my support of a DeMar DeRozan trade. All of these players have their drawbacks. But all three would help the Knicks create a winning culture. They could be their version of Butler.