The New York Knicks didn’t make their star trade this offseason simply because the right one wasn’t on the market. The front office didn’t trade for any player but did send Obi Toppin to Indiana for two future second-round picks.
New York was right to be patient this summer with big names such as Giannis Antetokounmpo floating the idea of leaving Milwaukee.
Considering the team finished No. 5 in the East last season, it isn’t bad that the Knicks are entering 2023-24 with relatively the same roster.
Still, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley believes New York missed out on trading for DeMar DeRozan, which, in actuality, is a good thing.
B/R trade proposal would’ve been disastrous offseason move for Knicks
Why not trade RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, and a first-round pick for an expiring contract? Hopefully, you can detect the sarcasm.
If he doesn’t sign an extension, DeMar DeRozan will make $28.6 million this season before entering unrestricted free agency next summer. He’s eligible to sign a four-year deal worth around $179 million, a commitment the should-be rebuilding Bulls shouldn’t make. The same goes for New York, which certainly shouldn’t be willing to commit a large amount of money to the veteran.
DeRozan’s been an All-Star in his two years with the Bulls and is one of the league’s best closers, but the Knicks would be taking a gamble on trading two of their top young players for the 34-year-old. Barrett turned it up a few notches to impress in the playoffs and performed well for Canada in the World Cup, while Grimes is primed for a breakout season.
The forward hasn’t shot higher than 35.2% from three, which happened in 2021-22. He’s a career 29.1% shooter from deep. That’s an area New York’s current small forward needs to work on himself, given the team’s spacing issues.
With all due respect to DeMar DeRozan, New York didn’t make a mistake by not trading for him this summer.