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Hall of Famer tabs young star as Knicks’ most realistic trade option

By Jordanna Clark

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 31: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks watches from the sidelines during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 31: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks watches from the sidelines during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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One of the most popular guessing games in the NBA this season is trying to predict which star the New York Knicks will trade for. The move may not come until the offseason, or it could be even longer. Joel Embiid is the player who’s been linked to New York this most, but there’s no guarantee he’ll want out of Philadelphia.

The Knicks are off to a slow start offensively, which has led to the media (even former players) calling for the organization to make a trade. On TNT last Tuesday, Charles Barkley said he wants to see the team trade for Karl-Anthony Towns, mainly so he wouldn’t have to watch Towns and Rudy Gobert share the floor anymore.

On “KG CERTIFIED,” a Showtime Basketball series hosted by none other than Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce said that Zion Williamson is a more realistic trade option for New York than Joel Embiid. The former Celtic said he doesn’t know if the Sixers would trade Embiid to a conference rival, but he did say that the reigning MVP needs to get out of Philadelphia.

Paul Pierce says Zion Williamson is more realistic trade option for Knicks than Joel Embiid

Paul Pierce believes that if Zion Williamson gets injured again or if New Orleans’ season gets derailed, the Pelicans could be open to trading the former No. 1 pick. He said that New Orleans could use a player like Julius Randle because he could consistently give them 20 and 10 every night, something Zion can only do when he’s healthy.

The Pierce-Garnett duo speculated that a deal centered around Randle, RJ Barrett, and a couple of first-round picks could be enough. Randle would go back to the Pelicans, which is the team he spent the 2018-19 season with before signing with the Knicks. Barrett would go to Louisiana without getting to play alongside his former Duke teammate.

New York has already gotten one look at Williamson this season in a 96-87 loss on Oct. 28. The forward put up 24 points, five rebounds, and two assists in 28 minutes. If he can stay on the court for most of the season, the Pelicans should finish as one of the top teams in the West. If not, maybe Paul Pierce’s prediction will come true.

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