Knicks: Can NY create an Oladipo, KAT, Randle Big 3 this season?

Before the entire New York Knicks fan base comes after me, I am aware this is just a crazy little fantasy of mine and would be best if it didn’t happen.

Being a Knicks fan for my entire life, I’ve kind of grown accustom to the team making obnoxious trades in attempt to create a “quick fix” for the roster.

This has been to the team’s detriment time and time again and it seems like the new front office led by Leon Rose has finally taken the small-market approach to team construction and should be more calculated during trade scenarios.

That being said, it sure as heck won’t stop me from making these wild fantasy situations because I’m the self-proclaimed, unofficial, internet New York Knicks GM and I make the rules here.

Would a KAT, Randle, Dipo Big 3 win a title for the Knicks?

I’ve traded for both Victor Oladipo and Karl-Anthony Towns in previous pieces of mine and never once did I think I would be writing an article discussing the idea of both of them on the same team alongside both RJ Barrett and Julius Randle.

Barrett and Randle have improved tremendously since the season began back in December compared to last season, so it would make sense for the team to try to capitalize now when they have a legitimate chance at making a decent playoff run.

Both Towns and Oladipo have been in the news lately and would make sense to join forces with this Knicks team.

Towns had gone public with his dissatisfaction with Coach Tom Thibodeau after he was fired and praised the hiring of Ryan Saunders, but since then, Saunders was let go by the Timberwolves where he lasted an even shorter amount of time in Minnesota than Thibs had.

Recent reports suggested that Thibs would be open to a reunion with Karl-Anthony Towns if the opportunity presented itself.

I’m sure KAT has taken a long look in the mirror since the Ryan Saunders firing and has come to realize that he’s seen his most success in the NBA under Tom Thibodeau and maybe it’s not all fun and games when you choose basketball as a career path.

I’m sure the Edison, New Jersey native wants to win and understands what it takes to do so better than he did 2 seasons ago.

Victor Oladipo is another interesting name that is likely to be moved at the deadline.

“Dipo” plays solid defense still and scores from anywhere on the court with ease.

While he’s certainly not the same player he once was, if Victor Oladipo is at worst the 4th best player on your team, you have a pretty solid squad.

Oladipo recently turned down a 2-year, $45.2 million extension with the Rockets. This is the most the team could offer him to stay in H-Town for the time being as the current collective bargaining agreement doesn’t allow the Rockets to offer him a longer deal until the end of the season.

This could mean that Houston could opt to hold onto Oladipo until the end of the regular season and start negotiations back up then. This would also mean that Victor could test the free agency waters and leave the Rockets empty-handed.

I think it would be best for both the Rockets and Timberwolves to explore trades for both, more so the Rockets with Oladipo.

Here are a few trades I thought up that I think work for all teams involved:

Firstly, Elfrid Payton would have to be moved to generate some assets. Since he has a No-Trade clause, he would have to agree to what team he goes to. I think Miami is a great fit for him and he would possibly agree to the trade as they’re a contending team.

I’m sure that Minnesota would quickly find trade partners to send Burks, Rivers, and Bullock elsewhere immediately after the trade. The 3 were included in the trade for financial purposes.

These trades would leave the Knicks with a few roster spots available that could be filled by bringing up some Westchester Knicks or they could scour the free agency market to fill in the gaps.

The trades do leave the Knicks with much less draft capital than they had before, but the team would have a legitimate chance at making it into the 2nd round of the playoffs this year and potentially even past that.

One other intriguing move could come in the offseason, as Kawhi Leonard is set to become a free agent.

While very unlikely, if the Clippers get clipped (see what I did there) in the playoffs again, maybe Kawhi’s faith in the organization will dwindle and he may opt to play somewhere else.

The Knicks could possibly wait to re-sign Dipo until after Kawhi is signed and maybe Dipo signs back on with a nice discount in order to win a title.

The Clippers and Knicks could also consider a sign and trade as well.

Wishful thinking, but this is my world and what I say goes.

Potential starting lineup after both trades: Derrick Rose, Victor Oladipo, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Karl-Anthony Towns with Quickley as the 6th man.