Tracy McGrady predicts Knicks will make big moves during offseason
Last season, the New York Knicks made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. They were led by their star player Julius Randle, who was averaging a career-high 24.1 points and 10.2 rebounds a game. Although they were bounced out of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks, fans still felt that New York was finally on the right track.
But in 2021-22, Knicks fans went right back to feeling disappointed in their team. Acquiring Kemba Walker as the starting point guard turned out to be a bust and New York did not make it to the playoffs.
Randle averaged 20.1 and 9.9 rebounds per game, which is a slight dip from his 2020-21 season average. But if fans were to have any say in what happens to him this offseason, they would request him to be traded to another team.
The Knicks have a number of moves that they could make this offseason, on top of figuring out who they are taking with the No. 11 pick in the NBA draft. Despite the front office having a lot on their plate, former Knick Tracy McGrady thinks that they won’t disappoint.
Tracy McGrady believes the Knicks’ front office will sign a star this summer
In an interview with New York Daily News, McGrady said that he believes the Knicks will land “something good” this offseason while mentioning Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell.
"“Donovan Mitchell is from New York,” McGrady said. “I’m saying there’s a very good chance, a high percentage chance, that they will land something good this offseason.”"
Mitchell is under contract with the Jazz through 2024-25 and he has not publicly requested a trade from the team. But If that does happen, NBC Sports reports that he would be interested in the Knicks. However, it’s doubtful that what New York has to offer for Mitchell would satisfy Utah.
McGrady also gave credit to the Knicks’ front office, saying that they are “trending in the right direction.”
"“They have some good people in management now that they didn’t have back (when I played for the Knicks in 2010). They’re trending in the right direction,” McGrady said. “I know the power and influence those guys have on players – Scott P., (William Wesley) and Leon Rose – those three guys, the influence they have on some of these players, the relationships they have, they’d be able to turn around the New York Knicks.”"
If Mitchell is not in a New York uniform by the start of the 2022-23 season, let’s hope that McGrady is right in his assumption that the Knicks will sign a star who will bring value to the organization.
