While things have not been pretty over the years for one of the NBA’s most historic franchises, things are finally starting to shift in New York and the Knicks could be on the path to success. For the last two decades, the Knicks’ fan base has suffered from poor management and failed leadership from within the organization.

Things looked good at times, as the Knicks made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2010-2013, but they ultimately failed to get any farther than the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After the downfall of Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks, the future looked bright once again as Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis quickly became one of the best young players in the league.

But, after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee in 2018 and after arguments with ownership/management, Porzingis requested a trade and the Knicks granted him his wish, sending him to the Mavericks for virtually nothing valuable in return. The Knicks acquired Dennis Smith Jr, DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two future first-round picks for the All-Star big man. From this trade tho, only Smith Jr. remains on the roster and the draft picks are yet to be used as they are for 2021 and 2023. 

Entering this season, there seemed to be a different aura about this organization. GM Scott Perry, new President of Basketball Operations, Leon Rose, and new head coach Tom Thibodeau have seemed to restore some faith in this fanbase and with some young, promising players in R.J. Barrett, Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle, who is having a breakout year, the Knicks surprisingly seem to be heading in the right direction for once.

With no player on this roster over the age of 29, New York is a very young and hungry team and given the energy they bring, could wind up being right in the thick of things in the final month of the season.

Winning now is extremely important for New York as they have tried to lure some big names in free agency to “The Big Apple” over the years, but no superstar player wants to play for a losing franchise. By trading for a star-level player near the trade deadline and proving to the rest of the league that they can win, the Knicks will have plenty of superstar talents wanting to sign a contract with them in the coming offseasons.

With that said, let’s take a look at three trades the Knicks should target before the trade deadline this season.