NY Knicks: Have they done enough to attract big free agent talent this offseason?

The first step to attracting free agents to the NY Knicks is…

The next logical question becomes, what method do the Knicks employ to get the most out of the star-studded offseason?

Do they go the trade route and expose some of their developing core?

Maybe they dive headfirst into the free agency pool where the stars aren’t as bright but the price may not be as extreme.

If they go the trade route, the conversation begins and ends with Damian Lillard.

Dame will be 31 in July, not exactly in lock-step with the younger players that make up a portion of the Knicks’ future, but could the front office ignore the immense allure that the point-guard would bring to the Big Apple?

Probably not, but who’s to say Lillard wants to bring his talents here? After all, his current squad nearly bounced a 2020 Western Conference semi-finalist and has seen heights that the Knicks haven’t experienced in many, many years.

All we know about Lillard is that he likely won’t stay put for long (subscription needed), despite never explicitly asking to be dealt.

Is Lillard making a plea for urgency in Portland or is there some fire at the base of the smoke?

The question then returns to, “Have the Knicks done enough to earn Lillard’s attention?”

In theory, the answer is yes. The Knicks were one win off of Portland’s regular-season pace. It’s clear that the West is a far different beast than the East.

This no doubt shines a light on each team’s respective results, but would Lillard invite the slight downgrade in competition level? Maybe.

A ‘maybe’ is certainly enough to consider an all-world talent such as Damian Lillard.