Jason Burgos
A new NBA rumor reopens the door for the New York Knicks to go back to a blockbuster trade idea from a few years ago if they don’t reach the NBA Finals this spring.
There is a lot of pressure on Knicks head coach Mike Brown and his top stars heading into Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals matchup with the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. In the eyes of the team’s management, this is a team that should be competing for an NBA championship in a few weeks.
Furthermore, their championship-starved fanbase also has high expectations for this expensive roster. However, it will not be easy to get past the East’s elites, and there is a very real chance they come up short of their goals in these playoffs. If they don’t at least reach the NBA Finals, changes are coming to New York.
The roster will definitely get a shakeup, and many NBA experts expect the team to continue their pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks legend Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. However, there may be a different impactful option available.
Door opens for New York Knicks to trade for Donovan Mitchell this offseason?
According to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell is eligible for an extension this summer. However, if he doesn’t sign it, “the organization will discuss the possibility of moving him, league sources said.”
Before Mitchell was traded to the Cavaliers four years ago, the Knicks were seen as a heavy favorite to acquire the New York native. The hope was to pair him up with free agent addition Jalen Brunson. That was before the Knicks guard emerged as one of the game’s best. Brunson and Mitchell in a backcourt together could be a big problem for rivals in the East.
Team President Leon Rose — if he holds on to his job — going back to that original plan after their current one failed can’t be ruled out. The big question is, does New York have the assets that would interest the Cavaliers in a potential trade?
