Following the New York Knicks blockbuster trade for OG Anunoby this weekend, one top team insider believes they are not done making big moves this season.
On Saturday, the Knicks fired the first salvo as rumors should heat up over the first few weeks as the NBA nears the Feb. 8 trade deadline. After months of speculation, the Toronto Raptors finally pulled the trigger on a deal for talented 3-and-D swingman OG Anunoby. The small forward is set to become a free agent in the summer and Toronto likely realized a return was unlikely.
Despite reports last season that the Raptors were looking for multiple first-round picks in a trade for Anunoby, New York did not have to give up anything near that cost in this weekend’s deal. In return for Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn, the Knicks are sending Toronto former first-round pick RJ Barrett, talented bench scorer Immanuel Quickley, and the Detroit Pistons second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Since the Knicks did not have to give up any of their horde of future first-round picks in the deal, and they freed up long-term cap space by moving Barrett, they are still in a position to make another major move this year. SNY NBA insider Ian Begley spoke about that specific fact following the trade on Saturday.
“One team that was not involved in the discussions felt like the Knicks probably should have given up more draft compensation. They were surprised the Knicks didn’t have to give up more in that trade. … I don’t think they’re done. I think this was maybe one of two bigger moves that are the general framework of how they’re thinking. They still have assets to work with.”
With that in mind let’s look at five other impact players the organization could target before the NBA trade deadline.
5 other blockbuster New York Knicks trade targets before Feb. 8
Clint Capela
With Mitchell Robinson out for at least another month, and reports that he could miss the remainder of the season, the Knicks still need to upgrade the center spot. Isiah Hartenstein has done a solid job filling in but he is best off the bench. That is why Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela could be a top target for New York.
Capela has been an elite rim protector and finisher around the basket for much of his career and he could be the final piece in an elite defensive unit — now with Anunoby — in a dream scenario for head coach Tom Thibodeau.
DeMar DeRozan
With Barrett gone, the New York Knicks could certainly use some more proven offensive punch. That is why veteran scorer DeMar DeRozan could be an option. With the Bulls struggling again this season, they could look to move the pricey and aging six-time All-Star. The big question is if the Bulls will shy away from being sellers over the next few weeks with new hopes that Lonzo Ball could soon return and move them back into playoff contention.
Dejounte Murray
Recent reports have claimed that Hawks guard Dejounte Murray is an ideal trade target for some major forces inside the organization. With Atlanta potentially being in the market to sell before the deadline the Knicks may be able to land him and Capela in one fell swoop and set up an outstanding starting five of Capela, Julius Randle, Anunoby, Murray, and Jalen Brunson.
Nikola Vucevic
If the Knicks feel they have addressed their defensive issues with Anunoby and want to improve the center spot overall, Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic could be an option. The four-time All-Star is a far more reliable scorer than Robinson was and would help to improve their overall rebounding game following his loss.
Related: Unfortunate Mitchell Robinson injury update for the New York Knicks
Malcolm Brogdon
Losing Immanuel Quickley is a major blow to the Knicks bench. If the team is looking to improve their reserves ahead of the postseason, 2022-23 Sixth Man of the Year award winner Malcolm Brogdon would make a lot of sense. He is having another strong season in Portland and could certainly be up for grabs with the Trail Blazers having a rough season.
Furthermore, a backcourt of Brogdon and Brunson in crunch time could be an interesting combo for the team during the playoffs.