The New York Knicks have officially turned into an intriguing destination in the offseason. The front office should be aggressive in NBA free agency after seeing the team perform on the court this year. If they decide to go the other way in the trade market, there will be plenty of names available that can help in the lineup.
New York has been a pleasant surprise this season. They are currently winners of six in a row and right in the mix for a postseason spot. This is something that was not expected coming into the year but they have gotten great performances from Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.
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Tom Thibodeau has completely revamped the defense in his first year as head coach. This is a team with some good pieces for the future but they are not a finished product.
The Knicks are being led by good individual efforts and incredible coaching. New York is taking advantage of a weak Eastern Conference and winning some close games as of late. These were games that they were losing in previous years and even early in the season.
New York needs that star presence that can take over at the end of games and get them to the next level. They also need a point guard and this is what they could target in the offseason.
New York has been linked to many big-name players in recent years but have not been able to land any. Here are three names that could be intriguing target as the Knicks continue what is a surprise season.
DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan has been linked to the Knicks since the offseason and people have varying opinions on this move. He was allegedly unhappy with the situation in San Antonio but the Spurs decided to hold onto him at the NBA trade deadline. DeRozan will be a free agent at the end of the season and will not be re-signing with the Spurs. This is where the Knicks could come in and make an offer.
An intriguing aspect of this is that DeRozan will come at a discounted rate. He already got paid and at his current age, he cannot expect to land another massive deal in NBA free agency.
With that being said, DeMar DeRozan has proven that he could still play the game at a high-level. He is leading the Spurs in scoring with 21.4 points per game and shooting 49% from the field.
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Many will argue that the Knicks need a shooter and DeRozan is not strong from three point range. He is still an elite option in the midrange and someone who can take the ball at the end and win a game. Ultimately, that is what the Knicks are looking for.
DeMar DeRozan is not known as an elite defender, which makes Thibodeau the perfect coach for him. Offensively, DeRozan would fit right in and bring the Knicks that star presence that they need at the end of the game.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns would bring the Knicks and NBA All-Star caliber player and a great storyline. The New Jersey native has been linked to the Knicks since last year and could be coming home to play in the offseason. This would have to be a trade considering Towns signed a five-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
If the Knicks want to seriously contend, a player like Karl-Anthony Towns is who they should look into. They have the assets necessary to field an intriguing offer after getting extra draft picks from the Kristaps Porzingis trade.
New York has no depth in the frontcourt. Mitchell Robinson cannot stay healthy and is an extremely role player when he is. Towns is a finished product that could bring great versatility to the lineup. A front-court of Towns and Julius Randle is something that should excite Knicks’ fans at the thought.
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In the offseason, the Knicks will target either a point guard or a big man and Towns could fit right in. He would give them an option at the end of games to get the ball to. New York would be able to run their offense through Towns either down low or on the perimeter.
In a trade, Randle and Barrett are the untouchable players for New York. There are plenty of options, along with draft picks, that New York could send Minnesota for their big man. One thing that is certain is that New York with welcome Towns with open arms if they can make this blockbuster deal.
Dennis Schroder
Dennis Schroder sticks out is one of the most obvious pieces for the next to consider. They need to drastically improve at point guard if they want to make any sort of know noise moving forward.
Schroder is going to be looking for a big contract in NBA free agency and the Knicks have room to sign him if they want. He is certainly the type of point guard that could help take them to the next level.
Schroder turned down a four-year, $90 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. He believes he can do better in NBA free agency and bet on himself for the upcoming offseason. The Knicks could be a team that gives him the contract he was looking for.
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New York has been dealing with Elfrid Payton at the top of the offense so anything is an improvement from there. Rookie Immanuel Quickley has been extremely inconsistent and has not shown that he can confidently take over the starting position. He is good off the bench and would be a nice back up to a player like Dennis Schroder.
When looking at the names on the market, Dennis Schroder fits because of his age and ability to be a long-term solution. This is what the Knicks need to go along with the core that they have already put in place.
