The New York Knicks have emerged as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference after remaking their roster over the offseason.
The Knicks made blockbuster deals for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, as they, along with Jalen Brunson, have helped lead New York to a 38-20 record, ranking third in the Eastern Conference standings.
However, the team could have looked totally different if a division rival was willing to part with a former NBA MVP.
NBA insider: New York Knicks wanted former NBA MVP
According to The Stein Line’s Jake L. Fischer, the Knicks would have traded every single draft pick they had to the Philadelphia 76ers for Joel Embiid.
“Once upon a time, Philly presumably could have extracted every draft pick that New York possessed before it splurged on trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks were always the rival threat, sources said, that Sixers officials knew was waiting to pounce if Embiid ever reached the trade market,” Fischer reported.
The New York Knicks were rumored to be willing to trade every single one of their draft picks for Joel Embiid before pivoting to Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, per @JakeLFischer
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 27, 2025
“Once upon a time, Philly presumably could have extracted every draft pick that New York… pic.twitter.com/1QQS0rCsbW
With the 76ers unwilling to part with Embiid, the Knicks upgraded their team through Bridges and Towns.
Instead of trading Embiid and recouping assets, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and the 76ers front office decided to give the 2023 MVP a three-year, $193 million contract extension. Embiid is now owed $299.5 million through the 2028-29 season. With the way his career is projecting with his numerous injuries, it’s an unmovable contract the 76ers will need to live with.
In retrospect, the 76ers saved the Knicks from themselves as Embiid has been injured for much of the season, only playing in 19 games. The seven-time All-Star has been shut down once again due to left knee swelling and it’s unknown when he will return. It’s believed he will need surgery again and could be out for a significant time. The Knicks would have mortgaged their entire future for a player who might spend more time in street clothes than on the court.
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