Knicks Fans Always Want More Stars; Here Are 3 They Should Trade For
After many long and hard years, there is finally excitement back in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks shocked everyone this season, including me, storming through the entire league and becoming a playoff team (with homecourt advantage!!) for the first time since 2013. A classic characteristic of Knicks fans is through all seasons, good and bad, everyone is wondering about the offseason. Whether it’s anticipation for the draft lottery after a year of tanking or rumors about who’s joining following a successful one, Knicks fans always have their eyes on the “in” door. Furthermore, the emergence of Julius Randle as an All-NBA forward and R.J. Barrett’s development have fans starry-eyed once again. With that in mind, here are three stars I think the Knicks should consider trading for.
Damian Lillard
Hear me out first before you call it impossible. As great as Derrick Rose has been for the Knicks this season, the former MVP’s years in the league could be coming to a close soon. Knicks fans have also been calling for the team to acquire a star point guard for years, a la Dame Time. Even though Lillard has publicly stated his loyalty to Portland, there must be that sneaky feeling growing in the back of his mind. A feeling of “will I actually win a championship here?” It’s no secret that the Blazers and their fans love Dame, but they have not done much to help him. Considering that LaMarcus Aldridge was the last All-Star he had in Portland, it must become more and more frustrating for Dame each time he and his squad get knocked out of the playoffs. Since getting drafted in 2012, he has had to carry the franchise on his shoulders, both on and off the court. Eventually, there will come a time where Dame wants a fresh start, and the Knicks should be ready to pounce. With assets to offer like Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, and plenty of first-round picks (thanks Dallas), it should cross Leon Rose’s mind at some point to pick up the phone and see if an offer can be made.
Devin Booker
While there were links between Booker and the Knicks over the summer, the likelihood of Booker donning Orange and Blue has gone down slightly thanks to the Phoenix Suns’ resurgence as a legitimate Western Conference contender this season. Regardless, Booker is a player that fits New York City better than most. As a flashy scorer who can beat his defender in a variety of ways, Book is a guy that would get Knicks fans out of their seats. Considering he has scored the most points in one NBA game since Kobe’s 81 against the Raptors, it is easy to see that Booker is one of the most talented guards in the league today. However, the only concerns that come to mind are with his position. Both Booker and Barrett play at the Shooting Guard position, so RJ would have to make a full-time switch to the 3 to make this trade work. Other than that, the Knicks have the assets and the destination that could attract Booker if he becomes disgruntled once again.
Zach Lavine
After a disappointing end to the season after an exciting trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls are in an awkward place right now. Yes, they may have pushed all their cards to the front of the table by gambling on Nikola Vucevic with their first-round pick this year, but this team also looks nowhere close to being a contender. Despite the team’s shortcomings, there should be no question marks about Zach Lavine. He has put in an All-NBA caliber season, averaging 27.4 points, 5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and shooting splits of 50.7/41.9/84.9. If the Bulls ever decide to start over their rebuild and trade Lavine, the Knicks MUST call up the Bulls. Considering Lavine has played at both the 2 and the 3 in Chicago, a Big Three of Randle, Lavine, and Barrett is feasible, but maybe not likely. The Bulls would probably demand a king’s ransom for Lavine who, at 26, is just entering his prime. If the Knicks are willing to dangle Barrett, however, a trade could be possible.
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