It seems pretty obvious that the New York Knicks will look to make a splash once the offseason comes calling. New York went after the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving last summer to no avail.
The hiring of former player agent Leon Rose only adds to this. He might have better luck going after star players than recently fired former Knicks president Steve Mills.
According to Marc Berman of the NY Post, that could include New York looking to trade for future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul.
“Trading for 35-year-old point guard Chris Paul became a thing the moment Rose inked his Knicks contract,” Berman wrote. “Paul is Rose’s favorite client, was in the midst of a throwback/All-Star season and mans the Knicks’ weakest position. Mills was dead-set against adding a player of Paul’s age and contract.”
Their relationship notwithstanding, it makes little sense for Rose and Co. to chase after Paul. He’s 35 years old and in the back end of his career. This wouldn’t be akin to acquiring someone of Durant’s ilk, who was still in his prime last summer.
With that said, Paul was playing at a high level before the 2019-20 season was suspended. The 10-time All-Star is averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists.
Any move to acquire Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder would require New York giving up at least one of its first-round picks, likely the one acquired in the Marcus Morris trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.