Since Leon Rose took over as team president in 2020, the New York Knicks have been on star watch. His connections as a CAA agent have carried over to his position in New York’s front office.
Damian Lillard and James Harden wouldn’t move the needles for the Knicks, so the team hasn’t been seriously engaged in trade talks for either guard. Rose and Co. aren’t jumping at any star that hits the market but instead are taking precautions before cashing in New York’s assets.
The new season should reveal a lot about the direction the Knicks hope to go in, especially if three teams in particular aren’t able to bounce back from disappointing playoff exits.
Names like Donovan Mitchell (again), Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been connected to New York this summer, and those rumors could continue to get hotter over the next few months.
Ranking top 3 potential New York Knicks trade targets
Low: Donovan Mitchell
The Knicks had a chance to get Donovan Mitchell last summer but passed because of the Jazz’s high price. Contrary to the belief at the time, it didn’t set New York back. Look no further than the first round of the 2023 postseason for proof.
Mitchell’s eligible to sign an extension this offseason, but there’s a slim chance that’ll happen. He can’t sign a supermax extension because he was traded before he was able to hit seven years of NBA service. That, along with the Cavaliers’ early playoff exit, has put Cleveland in a tough position.
There’s speculation Mitchell still has his sights on New York. If the front office got him for a lower price than they could’ve last summer, the Knicks would still be in a position to contend for several years, as Mitchell just turned 27. It’d be a win-win move.
However, when considering New York’s other two options, there’s reason to believe Mitchell isn’t as high up on the priority list. As lethal as the Brunson-Mitchell duo could be on the offensive end, two other players better fit the Knicks’ needs.
Elevated: Joel Embiid
One of Leon Rose’s top connections from his agent days is none other than Joel Embiid. Training camp will bring plenty of interesting storylines across the NBA, especially for the Sixers. James Harden’s trade request hasn’t been fulfilled, and there should be plenty more drama on the way.
Embiid hasn’t been outspoken about wanting to leave Philadelphia, but the organization’s direction could warrant a trade request. The problem is, Daryl Morey would likely rather lose his job than send the 2022-23 MVP to the Knicks.
If Morey isn’t willing to work with Harden, whom he previously shared a close relationship with, why would he do so for Embiid? New York has been waiting in the rafters for Embiid to become the next disgruntled star and could put together the most tempting trade package, and Morey would have to do his due diligence and consider it.
From the Knicks’ perspective, they’d not only be getting their desired star but one who’d fit perfectly beside Jalen Brunson. That gives Embiid the edge over Donovan Mitchell, as the Brunson-Mitchell defensive backcourt would be an easy target. Embiid is one of the most dominant defenders in the league, and he can score at ease.
Now that Embiid has his MVP title, he’s pushing toward winning a championship. If the Sixers don’t take a step closer to doing so, who’s to say Embiid wouldn’t want to help end the Knicks’ own championship drought?
Severe: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Is there a Knicks fan out there who doesn’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo at the top of their trade list? He’ll turn 29 in December, and he’s already won two regular season MVP titles and one NBA Finals MVP. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Antetokounmpo has applied pressure to the Bucks this summer, making it clear that he won’t sign an extension if the team can’t contend. His comments have piqued the interest of the other 29 teams in the league, and it’d be a no-brainer move for the Knicks to go all-in on the superstar.
His playoff resume speaks volumes, as he’s averaged 26.6 points and 12 rebounds in 79 games. One of New York’s current stars, Julius Randle, has had issues with performing in the postseason, although this past season, he was dealing with an ankle injury that required surgery in the offseason.
When a team gives up as much as it’d take to get Antetokounmpo, the expectation is a championship. He’s delivered one once before and could win a few more before he retires.
SNY’s Ian Begley wrote that he guesses New York “will make moves with Giannis in mind.” Begley added that, like every other team, the Knicks will monitor the situation closely. If Antetokounmpo were made available, the news would rattle the league from top to bottom.
Even New York’s most prominent critics wouldn’t have anything to say if the Knicks hit the jackpot with a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Talk about patience paying off.