3 Early predictions for Knicks at the NBA Trade Deadline

1. No trade for a superstar

At least for now, Joel Embiid's name has been crossed off New York's trade list. He and Tyrese Maxey aren't just keeping the Sixers afloat without James Harden (shocker), as Philadelphia is a top-three team in the East. The Sixers are still able to trade for an All-Star, whoever that may be.

The Knicks getting Giannis Antetokounmpo, whether via trade or free agency, was an offseason dream cut short after the Bucks traded for Damian Lillard. Soon after, Antetokounmpo signed an extension, ending all speculation that the superstar could leave Milwaukee.

We're nearly 30 games into the 2023-24 season, and there isn't an obvious star on the market that New York should pursue. That could change between now and the Feb. 8 deadline, but right now, the belief is that the soonest the Knicks will trade for a star is the offseason.

Maybe that star will be Donovan Mitchell, who didn't sign an extension this past offseason and is on a Cavaliers squad down Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Last season, Cleveland won 51 games, but this season, their future looks bleak. If Mitchell doesn't commit to the organization long-term by signing an extension this upcoming summer, the Knicks trade rumors will get even hotter.