If Not Dame, Then…
The honest truth is that a Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal trade seems infeasible. With those superstar trades out of the picture, how else can the Knicks improve this summer?
Jalen Brunson
The former Villanova Wildcat has been an incredibly steady hand at the one so far in his young career. However, his consistent production for Dallas—12 points, 3.5 boards, and 3.5 assists—has been overshadowed by a certain Slovenian.
Then there’s the fact that Brunson’s father Rick, a former NBA player of nine years, is quite clearly in cahoots with Knicks’ president Leon Rose: his former agent.
Although Brunson’s value has gone up considerably this past season, his stock still isn’t sky-high, and the Knicks could possibly get away with offering a solid rotational piece for the former second-round pick.
Lonzo Ball
(Courtesy of Getty Images)
A sacrificial lamb for the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade, Ball has subsequently blossomed into a dependable 3-and-D guard for the Pelicans. And unlike Brunson, the Knicks could potentially acquire Ball for free, as his contract with New Orleans expires this summer.
Ball is an efficient, intelligent point guard—and on top of that, he’s Zion Williamson’s alley-oop partner. Ball could be the tipping point for Williamson to demand a trade to the Knicks, and all the while still be a great option at the point.
If the rumors are true that Ball’s got an eye for New York, it wouldn’t be a blunder for the front office to just let the man just walk in.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre is part of an odd cast of role-players who arrived in San Francisco during the Warriors’ bottom-feeding seasons without their stars. Now, with Klay Thompson coming back and James Wiseman on the trade block, it’s unclear if Oubre’s stint with the Dubs will continue.
Oubre is a potent offensive option who offers an exciting combination of size and speed at the wing: something the Knicks are searching for this summer. There seems to be some level of shared interest between Oubre and the Knicks: his flashy style on and off the court may suit the bright lights of New York well.
Jarrett Allen
Thibodeau appears to have a thing for tall, defensive-minded centers, and Jarrett Allen may be the prototypical tall, defensive-minded center on the market right now. The 23-year-old enters unrestricted free agency this summer, and it appears the Cavs wouldn’t be against letting Allen walk.
It appears the Knicks aren’t exactly at the top of Allen’s wish list, but seeing as the front office has pockets-full of cash to throw around this summer, an enticing offer sheet could attract the ‘Fro to New York.
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