The New York Knicks want to add a superstar to their roster. The rumors of their interest have been circulating since last summer, but Leon Rose and the front office has been patient (subscription required). New York is waiting for the right marquee name to be the face of their franchise.
Time is running out for the Knicks. They have three protected first-round picks from other teams in 2024, which could all be key parts of a blockbuster that brings a superstar to the Big Apple. Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Pascal Siakam are all available, but the Knicks want a bigger fish.
There is plenty of drama bubbling across the NBA, and New York should not be sitting on their hands. It is time to start preparing for the 2024 offseason and begin the recruitment. The free agent class isn’t strong, but superstars will be available over the next year. Who can New York acquire?
Star players New York Knicks should be quietly recruiting for next summer
5. Joel Embiid
This one is not quiet and Embiid may not make it to the 2024 offseason before being dealt. James Harden has requested a trade, and the 76ers are on the brink of disaster. Daryl Morey is holding out for a superstar return, but it is not coming. If Harden refuses to play in Philadelphia, the Sixers could be left trying to sell Embiid on keeping cap space open for next summer.
The reigning MVP wants to win right now. He has never reached the conference finals and is in the middle of his prime. If the 76ers cannot build a contender around him, Embiid will look elsewhere for a shot at a ring.
The New York Knicks will be ready with a massive offer. Marc Stein reported that Leon Rose and William Wesley attended Embiid’s wedding (subscription required). His former agents know the superstar well, and it appears the recruitment has already begun.
4. Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi can become a free agent next summer. He has a $48.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season, but best of luck figuring out his plans. Leonard is rarely forthcoming with the media, and the Clippers have taken to holding their cards close to their vest on all things Kawhi. The five-time All-Star is extension-eligible, but the last four years have made the forecast murkier.
Leonard and Paul George teaming up in Los Angeles made them an instant contender, but after four years, there has been one conference finals appearance and tons of heartbreak. The Clippers have become more known for missed games than being in the title race.
Trading for Kawhi is a massive risk. He has not played in more than 60 games since 2017 and the knee injuries keep popping up. The 32-year-old is still elite when he is on the floor, but can he make it through a deep playoff run at this stage?
Kawhi Leonard is still a superstar and elite two-way player. The New York Knicks want a top talent who is capable of being the best player on a championship team. Leonard led the Raptors to a title in 2019 as the alpha, and the Knicks’ path to getting him to the Big Apple could still come through Uncle Dennis. It would be a risky move, but one with massive upside if it pays off.
3. LeBron James
LeBron could be on the move next summer. He has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season, and his decision could rest with his son. Bronny James suffered a scary medical episode in July, but the USC freshman is projected to be drafted in 2024. LeBron has not been shy about his desire to play with his son in the NBA. If Bronny declares for the draft, his father could be on the move.
The Knicks are well-positioned to select the teenager. They could have seven picks in 2024, including four first-rounders if everything bounces right. New York has plenty of additional capital if they choose to trade up, which would be a no-brainer if it means getting LeBron.
King James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer last season, so he is just chasing a fifth championship. He is still elite and just helped the Lakers get to the conference finals while playing through a foot injury. The 38-year-old may be past his prime, but there is no bigger name in the sport.
The New York Knicks may be able to pull off a blockbuster trade and get LeBron James in free agency if they can draft his eldest son. Two stars in the Big Apple playing with Jalen Brunson is a tantalizing thought that could become reality next summer.
2. Luka Doncic
The Mavericks crashed out of the playoffs in 2023 after trading for Kyrie Irving. It was so bad that Dallas tanked their final two games to keep the Knicks from getting their first-round pick. The Mavs now owe their 2024 first to New York from the Kristaps Porzingis trade back in 2019.
Dallas re-signed Kyrie and upgraded their roster this summer, but was it enough to make them contenders? They reached the conference finals in 2022 with Jalen Brunson, but things have nosedived since he arrived in New York. Nobody was happy at the end of last season, and a Luka Doncic trade request could be around the corner if the Mavericks missed the playoffs again.
The 24-year-old is a four-time All-Star and four-time first-team All-NBA selection. He proved he can win next to Jalen Brunson in Dallas, and Doncic has only improved. Luka averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in 36.2 minutes per game last season. He is one of the best players in the world and would instantly make the Knicks a title contender.
Luka Doncic has a player option in 2026, so the New York Knicks would be getting two prime years of an unstoppable force if they traded for him in the summer of 2024. Leon Rose and the front office should begin the recruitment now because there will be no shortage of suitors if Luka asks to be traded.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak may be the best player in the world right now. He averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 32.1 minutes per game as he led the Bucks to the best regular season record in the league last season. An injury was behind Milwaukee’s surprising first-round playoff exit, and Giannis will miss the World Cup recovering from surgery.
When on the floor, he is unstoppable. Antetokounmpo gets to the basket at will and is an outstanding playmaker. He doubles as one of the best defenders in the game. The 28-year-old is still in his prime and proved he can be the best player on a championship team when he led the Bucks to the title in 2021.
Giannis has two years plus a player option remaining on his contract, and the Bucks did their best to remain in title contention this summer. They paid handsomely to bring back Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, but was it enough? Antetokounmpo is extension eligible and his latest comments have him considering looking elsewhere. Milwaukee has to do whatever they can to stay in the championship picture.
The New York Knicks anxiously await a superstar that fits their roster to request a trade. Will it be Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or someone else that asks out? Expect the Knicks to be ready for the moment, but fans will have to wait a bit longer.
9 Players the New York Knicks gave up on way too soon
The New York Knicks gave up on these nine players way too soon, chasing win-now options and living to regret it in every case.