Daily Knicks
Fansided

NY Knicks: The Joker comes to Gotham

By Ken Tavarez

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 04: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 04, 2021 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 04: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 04, 2021 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish New York Knicks.
RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish New York Knicks.. Mandatory Credit: Jason DeCrow/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /

The NY Knicks are definitely in play for Nikola Jokic in 2023

Then there are the Knicks who currently have the least amount of star talent of the three franchises.

But a lot can change in a season and a half in the NBA.

What the Knicks have going for them is that they have the cleanest cap sheet of the teams contending for Jokic’s services.

In 2023, the Knicks have a club option on every player on the roster, except for Julius Randle and Evan Fournier.

That means all the aging vets making money; Derrick Rose($15.6M), Alec Burks ($10.5M), and Nerlens Noel ($9.7M) can be released to free up $35.8M.

Julius Randle will still have 3 years left on his deal, but he is on a reasonable contract that can be moved if necessary.

The same for Evan Fournier who will be entering the last guaranteed year of his deal which pays him $18.9M, another deal that can be easily traded.

Then there are the draft picks and stable of young players currently on the roster.

The Knicks have 7 players with less than 4 seasons of experience: RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, and Jericho Sims.

There is also Rokas Jokubaitas, who is one of the most promising young players in Europe.

We know Barrett will continue to get better, so he will be a player Jokic won’t mind playing with.

If Reddish, Toppin, or Grimes break out then the Knicks’ future will look extremely bright.

That along with all the draft picks they have can facilitate a trade for a good veteran player.

The Knicks will also have the cap space to sign players Jokic likes as well.

There is also the appeal of playing on the largest stage in basketball.

Jokic doesn’t get the attention he deserves despite winning the MVP because he plays in Denver.

His stardom would go through the roof if he came to NYC and won.

Which can finally be a deciding factor since all the other pieces are in place and the Knicks have a front office a star player can trust with his career to.

If you think the Joker wouldn’t love to play in Gotham, then you’re kidding yourself.

dark. Next. The next 4 potential Knicks trade targets

Home/Knicks News