After a strong showing in the 2022-2023 season, this offseason will be pivotal for the New York Knicks as they try to make the kind of roster adjustments that can make them a legitimate title contender next season.
Unfortunately for New York Knicks fans, for the 49th straight year, they did not bring a championship back to Gotham. Nevertheless, for the first time in a long time, there is a sense that the organization is not too far off from being a legitimate title contender.
Jalen Brunson proved to be the best free agent signing from last summer. Julius Randle recaptured his All-NBA form of two years ago. Young players like Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, Immanuel Quickly, and Mitchell Robinson stamped their place as key members of the rotation. And most importantly, the New York Knicks ended their decade-long streak of not reaching the semifinals of the NBA playoffs.
However, their second-round elimination to the Miami Heat showed they are still a few pieces away from competing for an NBA title. There will be a lot of rumors going around about potential moves the team could make this summer and we hope to keep you up-to-date with the latest rumblings in this space.
Knicks looking for ‘prime aged’ stars in major trade
The Knicks making a blockbuster trade this summer is seeming more and more unlikely because they are reportedly looking for a specific type of star in major deals. In July it was revealed that the organization is searching for a “prime-aged” veteran in any blockbuster trades that includes their young talent or horde of trade assets.
It may explain why rumors of potential trades for Paul George or James Harden have died down in recent weeks.
New York Knicks Paul George trade talks fall apart
There were rumblings linking the New York Knicks to a potential trade for eight-time All-Star Paul George in June. However, the deal seems far riskier than what the Leon Rose-led front office has been willing to do. However, it was reported that the Knicks and Clippers trade talks were “initiated” by New York.
Yet, as talks progressed it was revealed that George was aiming for an extension with a possible move. That was reportedly a non-starter for the Knicks, and entering July the discussions seem to be dead.
Obi Toppin and Tom Thibodeau had ‘intense’ clash during playoffs
It seems like the chance of Obi Toppin being shipped out of New York this summer is highly likely after it was revealed that the former first-round pick got into an “intense verbal altercation” with head coach Tom Thibodeau following the team’s Game 4 loss in the semifinals to the Miami Heat.
The issues reportedly came after Toppin was benched for much of the second half in the pivotal playoff matchup.
Knicks not expected to pursue former Warriors President Bob Myers
Although there has been speculation for some time that the Knicks could pursue Warriors President Bob Myers if he became available, that is now unlikely even though he actually is. A new report claims that after deciding against retaining general manager Scott Perry at the end of May, the team will probably promote current senior basketball consultant Gersson Rosas to the role of GM.
He has previous experience during stops in Houston, and Dallas, as well as serving as Minnesota’s president of basketball operations not long ago.
RJ Barrett good as gone in any blockbuster trade?
At the end of May, it was reported that a rival Eastern Conference general manager could see the Knicks trade homegrown swingman RJ Barrett this summer. However, the only way that would be realistic is if the former first-round pick were the centerpiece of a blockbuster for the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns or OG Anunoby.
New York Knicks unlikely to trade Julius Randle this summer
There is a notable contingent of New York Knicks fans that feel Julius Randle will not be a part of the team that brings them a championship and needs to be traded to evolve the roster into a better version. However, a trio of NBA insiders poured cold water on a potential trade this summer.
It was revealed recently that there are some inside the organization that is high on Randle for his ability to stay healthy and play often in the new load management era. That combined with a belief that the team values him more than their rivals makes a trade unlikely unless he is part of a truly blockbuster multi-player deal.
New Knicks rumors claim interest in Karl-Anthony Town trade dwindling
Since the end of the season, there have been rumblings that the Knicks could look to upgrade the roster by swinging a trade for Minnesota Timberwolves star, and Tri-State product, Karl-Anthony Towns. Yet, based on a recent report from SNY NBA insider Ian Begley it seems the interest temperature on the three-time All-Star has cooled recently and a potential trade isn’t looking like a strong possibility.
Could New York Knicks target a blockbuster summer trade for Joel Embiid?
Many around the NBA are wondering if the relationship between the Philadelphia 76ers and reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid could soon deteriorate. They could lose James Harden in NBA free agency and be unable to replace him with equal value. Plus, they fired head coach Doc Rivers despite Embiid being supportive of his return.
In the unlikely event that Embiid asks for an escape from Philly, the New York Knicks would very much be interested and are reportedly keeping an eye on the situation.