Knicks willing to trade RJ Barrett for Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal

New York Knicks, RJ Barrett, NBA Trade Rumors, Damain Lillard, RJ Barrett
NBA Analysis Network

The New York Knicks had a wonderful 2020-21 season. Tom Thibodeau came in with a plan and was able to get his players to buy into it, leading to a 41-31 regular-season record. That record was good enough to earn the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and homecourt in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

While things didn’t go as planned against the Atlanta Hawks, this season was a bonafide success for New York. There is a foundation in place and with some tweaks this offseason, they will be able to take that next step and become legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference.

READ MORE: NBA Rumors: Knicks already preparing for a potential Damian Lillard trade

To reach that level, there will be some very difficult decisions to make. To succeed in the NBA you need stars and right now, the Knicks don’t have one. While Julius Randle won Most Improved Player and RJ Barrett took a second season jump, Trae Young showed in Round 1 what a star can do for a team.

There is a chance that Barrett can turn into that level of player, but the Knicks may not hold onto him long enough to find out. According to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, the Knicks have an interest in packaging Barrett in a deal to land a bonafide star like Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal in a trade this offseason.

“The source told the Daily News that the Knicks are interested in packaging rising star RJ Barrett in a deal for a star guard, like Portland’s Damian Lillard or Washington’s Bradley Beal.”

That is something that will certainly split the fan base. The Knicks haven’t had a legitimate game-changing superstar since Amar’e Stoudemire was signed in free agency and Carmelo Anthony was acquired via trade.

READ MORE: NBA Rumors: Best trade Knicks could offer Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard

After seeing how well the team did this season, landing another All-Star would make them that much more competitive. On the other side of the coin, many want to see things through with Barrett. It has been a long time since the Knicks signed a first-round draft pick to a second contract.

You have to go back to 1994 with Charlie Ward as the last player to do so. Barrett looks well on his way to snapping that streak, especially if he continues developing in Year 3 as he did in Year 2.

The Knicks could have some leverage in talks with the Trail Blazers if Damian Lillard demands a trade and says he wants to go to New York. Could that be enough to keep RJ Barrett off the table? Only time will tell as Leon Rose and William Wesley will have some excruciating decisions to make in the coming weeks.

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