The New York Knicks have made it clear to other NBA teams that they want to acquire a star, according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz.
However, New York is aware that a star of its liking may not be available for trade during the 2023-24 season.
“The Knicks have made it clear to other teams that they want a star, league sources said, but they also don’t expect one to become available in the middle of the season,” Katz wrote. “The hope for Joel Embiid has lessened as the Philadelphia 76ers continue to win after trading James Harden to the L.A. Clippers.
“New York hasn’t expressed serious interest in the All-Stars on the Chicago Bulls, league sources said. Chicago has had a difficult time gaining traction for any of its big three: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević.”
Embiid – the reigning league MVP – has led the Sixers to a 13-7 start this season alongside guard Tyrese Maxey. It’s hard to see a scenario where the Sixers even consider moving Embiid, unless the star center requests a trade from the franchise.
The Knicks have the ammunition to make a deal for a star, as they own four first-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, although three of them are protected. Even with the protections on the picks, the Knicks could still use them as assets to make a deal.
For now, it appears the Knicks may take a patient approach when looking to add a star to their roster. New York was the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference last season, making the second round of the playoffs after knocking off the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games.
The team has several young players – like RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley – that could be looked at as trade chips to bring a star to New York.
According to Katz, the team also checked in on Minnesota Timberwolves star big man Karl-Anthony Towns earlier this season, but it never made an offer for him.
The Wolves may be disinterested in moving Towns since they are off to a fast start this season, going 16-4 in their first 20 games. The Wolves currently hold the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
“The Knicks checked in on Karl-Anthony Towns earlier this season, but they never made an offer for the three-time All-Star, league sources tell The Athletic,” Katz wrote. “The Knicks’ new senior vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas overlapped with Towns from 2019 to 2021 when Rosas ran the Timberwolves. Towns is also a client of CAA, where Knicks president Leon Rose once ran the basketball division. Executive vice president of basketball operations William Wesley followed Rose from CAA to the Knicks, as well.
“However, New York has not made a serious run at Towns in recent years, league sources said.”
The Knicks have an All-NBA forward on their roster in Julius Randle, so adding a player like Towns may not be the major star upgrade that the team is looking for.
Both Randle and Jalen Brunson have proven that they can carry the team at times, and the Knicks may not want to mortgage their assets for a player unless they truly believe it will help them compete for a title.
Through its first 20 games, New York is 12-8 and holds the No. 5 seed in the East heading into Friday night’s matchup with the Boston Celtics.
