NY Knicks: The path to becoming a Superteam this summer
By Max Hoover
Steps 1-3 on how the NY Knicks become a Superteam – Acquire Damian Lillard
Step One: Trade for Damian Lillard
There are a number of offers floating out there, but to clear enough cap space to land Leonard as well, I think the Knicks would have to do one as it was proposed in the SNY article:
The Knicks would need to do this version of a Lillard trade because it includes the three biggest salaries out of Barrett/Toppin/Quickley/Robinson.
Step Two: Find somewhere to trade Kevin Knox
Is this the most far-fetched part of this plan? Quite possibly.
Still, more lucrative contracts have been moved to clear space for teams looking to make free agency splashes.
The Knicks could likely find someone to take a chance on him for the one guaranteed year he has left.
It is a key move, though. Signing Kawhi doesn’t happen without it.
Step Three: NBA Draft
The Knicks will have picks 21, 32, and 58 assuming none of those seconds are required to help move Knox.
If the Knicks have all three they could draft something like Chris Duarte, Day’ron Sharpe, and Jericho Sims. Duarte would sign for approximately $2.6 million. The Knicks could sign Sharpe and Sims using their Mid-Level Exception.