The rumor mill as of late has seen the concept of the New York Knicks trading for Los Angeles Clippers star wing Paul George constantly being broached.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes seems to believe he’s constructed a “realistic” package to make this hypothetical exchange become a reality.

The proposed trade reads as follows:

New York Knicks receive: Paul George

Los Angeles Clippers receive: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Evan Fournier, 2024 first-round pick, 2024 first-round pick (via DAL; top-10 protected)

An eight-time NBA All-Star, Paul George finds himself coming off yet another sound statistical season as he finished off the year boasting impressive per-game averages of 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 45.7% from the field and 37.1% from deep.

Unfortunately, he only managed to suit up for 56 games and missed the entirety of the club’s five-game playoff run due to a myriad of ailments. Lacking health has become somewhat of a trend over the last several years for the All-NBA talent, as he has yet to see over 56 games played since being acquired by Los Angeles back in 2019.

Though this trend should certainly be viewed as concerning, Hughes believes that it could also prove to be somewhat of a positive when it comes to negotiations revolving around the $175 million star, as his injury-prone status has only diminished his trade value.

With this, he suggests that while a package headlined by RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley could be perceived as “underwhelming” for someone of his caliber, ultimately, the Clippers may not find a more intriguing offer.

“It’s hard to know whether the Clippers trading George would be the first step in a rebuild. Chances are, with a new arena opening in 2024, the Clips won’t tear the whole thing down by also moving Kawhi Leonard. Either way, Barrett and Quickley are both intriguing pieces—starting-caliber young players (Barrett just turned 23; Quickley is 24) who’ll either lead the next era or give Leonard more durable running mates. Quickley, in particular, could thrive as the spark-plug guard L.A. desperately needs,” Hughes wrote.

Clippers ‘Fans’ of RJ Barrett

While the proposed exchange by Grant Hughes sees the bigger name in Paul George heading to the Knicks, it appears the Clippers themselves would be bringing on a player in RJ Barrett who, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, has supporters within the organization.

“I do know — the Clippers over there — there are some fans of RJ Barrett,” Begley said.

Coming off of a rather up-and-down 2022-23 campaign, RJ Barrett showed flashes of being a legitimate franchise cornerstone on numerous occasions throughout the year and was on an absolute tear for the vast majority of New York’s two-round playoff run.

Seeing 73 games of regular season action, the wing went on to post solid averages of 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for the Knicks and put up 21.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 35.8% from deep from April 18 through May 10.

Knicks ‘Hesitant’ to Trade For Paul George

Despite the recent rumblings and media coverage regarding recent talks between the Knicks and Clippers on a potential Paul George trade, Andrew Greif and Broderick Turner of the LA Times recently reported that New York is a bit reluctant to actually pull the proverbial trigger on such a deal.

“After some internal discussions, the Knicks have become hesitant about acquiring George. The Knicks also think George’s representatives will ask for a contract extension. He’s due to earn $45.6 million next season and $48.8 million the following season if he exercises his option,” Greif and Turner wrote.

Aside from future financial commitments, this hesitation by the Knicks likely stems from Paul George’s recent injury history, as he has played in just 189 of a potential total of 308 regular season games over the last four seasons.

One of the New York Knicks‘ young players has caught the eyes of the Los Angeles Clippers amid the Paul George trade rumors.

“I do know — the Clippers over there — there are some fans of RJ Barrett,” SNY’s Knicks insider Ian Begley said on the June 23 episode of The Putback.

Barrett is 11 years younger than George. The Canadian wing is coming off an up-and-down season but showed some signs of growth in the Knicks’ playoff run.

After a slow start in his second postseason run, Barrett still managed to put up 19.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 43.3% field goal shooting and went to the line 5.9 per game, sinking a respectable 76.9%. His 3-point shooting — 32.8% — was dramatically impacted by his 1-of-8 shooting in Games 1 and 2 against Cleveland and 0-for-3 in Game 6 against Miami.

Minus those three playoff duds, Barrett would have averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 49.6% field goal shooting and 38% from deep.

Barrett’s four-year, $107 million extension is set to kick in next season.

But Begley noted the Clippers could be looking for a win-now player if ever they decide to part ways with the 33-year-old George, who is coming off his eighth All-Star season that was cut short by a knee injury.

“Can the Knicks offer that? It’s up for debate,” Begley said. “I don’t know if the Clippers will look at some of these Knicks players and say, ‘Yes, that guy is gonna help me to go the conference finals and help me get through [with] Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the group.’ That’s why it just doesn’t seem super likely to me. The Knicks have checked in. If the Clippers continue to signal that [George] might be available, I would assume that the Knicks will continue to check in.”

The LA Times reported on June 22 that “after some internal discussions, the Knicks have become hesitant about acquiring George.”

Clippers Leave Door Open for George Trade

After Thursday’s NBA Draft, Clippers president Lawrence Frank talked about their offseason plan.

“It’s still the plan,” Frank said. “What we are trying to do is how can we put together the best team around these guys and we look at the different things. What worked, what hasn’t worked, the job that we have to do better, the job that we challenge our players to continue to do better. But yes, we’re trying to maximize these two and figure out ways that we can get better.”

But Frank left the door open for that plan to change, with both stars eligible for a four-year, $220 million extension at different points this year.

“It’s premature because Kawhi is, I think he’s July extension eligible, and Paul is [eligible] in September, Frank said. “We do talk about kind of what the plan is, but we really can’t get into those specifics until the appropriate date. And we’ll just have the dialogues as we do. We’ll just have very, very honest and open conversations and see if there’s something that makes sense for all sides.”

Derrick Rose Team Option Declined

Derrick Rose is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the Knicks did not pick up his $15.6M team option, according to Newsday’s Steve Popper.

The Knicks can bring Rose back on a veteran minimum deal, but given their glut of younger point guards, it might be best for the veteran guard to look for an opportunity elsewhere.

The Phoenix Suns and his former team, Chicago Bulls, are potential landing spots for Rose.

The Suns are looking to fill the void left by Chris Paul, who was dealt in the Bradley Beal trade. On the other hand, the Bulls are desperate for a point guard as Lonzo Ball is unsure to play next season with a knee injury.

The New York Knicks have decided to decline Derrick Rose‘s $15.6M team option that will make him an unrestricted free agent, according to Newsday’s Steve Popper.

Rose, who will turn 35 on Oct. 4, can return on a veteran’s minimum contract, but if the Knicks decide to run it back, there will still be no opportunity for him to crack the rotation.

The Phoenix Suns and his former team, Chicago Bulls, are potential landing spots for the former MVP.

Rose only played 27 games this past season despite being healthy after recovering from an ankle surgery that sidelined him for most of the 2021-2022 season. Rose was yanked out of the regular rotation in early December.

The veteran point guard played a key role in the Knicks’ 2021 playoff run as a midseason acquisition from Detroit.

The Knicks held on to him despite overtures from contenders at the past February trade deadline. Declining his team option means one salary ballast less for the Knicks in potential star trades this offseason.

Zach LaVine’s Camp Against Knicks Trade

There is a potential roadblock for the Knicks to acquire Bulls’ two-time All-Star wing Zach LaVine.

Klutch Sports, who represents LaVine, would be against a Knicks deal, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

“The Bulls are reportedly gauging interest in the All-Star guard, which prompted speculation that the Knicks — who are strapped with future draft assets — would get involved. But a source said the LaVine camp isn’t interested in dealing with the Knicks, who have a reputation around the league of favoring clients of CAA, the agency that employed Leon Rose before his move to the Knicks front office,” Bondy wrote.

Klutch Sports’ other client Cam Reddish left the Knicks on bad terms that may have left a bitter taste in the mouth.

The Knicks sent the disgruntled former lottery pick to the Portland Trail Blazers at the trade deadline that landed them Josh Hart, who played a vital role in their playoff run.

Reddish, who only saw action for 35 games during his forgettable stint with the Knicks, blamed favoritism and politics for his lack of a defined role.

“It was tough, but at the same time, it ain’t even about basketball,” Reddish told the New York Daily News in March. “It had nothing to do with basketball. It was all the politics, all the favoritism. S**t like that. That’s why I wasn’t too worried about it.”

Knicks Add 2 Undrafted Players on 2-Way Deal

Without a pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, the Knicks signed undrafted prospect Jacob Toppin of Kentucky and Overtime Elite’s Jaylen Martin to two-way deals.

Jacob is the younger brother of Knicks reserve forward Obi Toppin, the subject of trade rumors.

The younger Toppin and Martin are expected to suit up for the Knicks in the Las Vegas Summer League next month.

Jacob Toppin, 23, played three seasons for Kentucky after spending his freshman year at Rhode Islands. On the other hand, Martin played for former Knicks guard Charlie Ward at Florida High before signing with Overtime Elite.

Fresh off a 47-win campaign and their first playoff series win since 2013, during the offseason the New York Knicks will likely be looking to bolster their collection of talent to better support franchise cornerstones such as Jalen Brunson.

In an effort to accomplish such a task, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey suggests that the club’s top trade target this summer should be Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, as he suggests the All-Star’s top-flight athleticism and offensive explosiveness could be a tremendous compliment to New York’s backcourt.

“The New York Knicks finished the 2022-23 season with the second-best offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) in the league, but they got there in an unusual and potentially difficult to repeat fashion. They were 20th in effective field-goal percentage, but they took care of the ball and dominated the glass, which helped them regularly win the shot volume battle.

“As a hedge against a possible regression (and just a flat-out talent play), New York should cobble together some of what it offered for Donovan Mitchell last summer in an effort to land LaVine. He may not make a ton of sense for the mediocre Bulls, but within the context of the gritty Knicks and surrounded by a Tom Thibodeau defense, he and Jalen Brunson could make for a pretty nasty backcourt,” Bailey wrote.

Per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Bulls are “testing the waters” of the possibility of parting ways with Zach LaVine and the remaining four years of his $215 million deal this summer, and, in Bailey’s eyes, his services could be of great use for this Knicks team.

However, even with his long-standing ties to the franchise as being a desired trade target, recent intel suggests that such a move may not be all that realistic.

Zach LaVine Not Interested in Knicks

Despite his on-paper fit from a skills perspective, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported Friday morning that Zach LaVine and his camp have no interest in being dealt to the Knicks.

Per the report, the Klutch Sports represented guard does not wish to be acquired by New York’s front office led by former CAA agent Leon Rose, who has “a reputation around the league of favoring clients of CAA.”

Zach LaVine is coming off of an impressive 2022-23 campaign where he finished off posting stellar averages of 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 48.5% shooting from the field and 37.5% shooting from deep.

Knicks, Clippers Discussed Paul George Trade

Zach LaVine may not be a star target for the Knicks to pursue should these aforementioned rumblings be true, but there are several other names that could be made available for the taking over the next several months.

New York already appears to have made a feeler call on one specific top-flight talent this offseason, as SNY’s Ian Begley reported on Thursday that Leon Rose and company had contacted the Los Angeles Clippers in regard to a potential Paul George trade.

“The Knicks and Clippers have had contact about a potential Paul George trade, per SNY sources. It is unknown if Clippers are willing to move George. @TheSteinLine reported earlier that Clips gave rival teams the impression that they were gauging George’s trade value last week,” Begley reported via his personal Twitter account.

Some such as Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer are under the belief that the Knicks will “absolutely” look to acquire a star this summer, and Paul George is one of the names he suggests could make sense to add to their current foundation.

The New York Knicks‘ pathway to trading for Chicago Bulls‘ All-Star wing Zach LaVine is facing a potential roadblock.

LaVine’s agency, Klutch Sports, would be against a Knicks deal, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

“The Bulls are reportedly gauging interest in the All-Star guard, which prompted speculation that the Knicks — who are strapped with future draft assets — would get involved. But a source said the LaVine camp isn’t interested in dealing with the Knicks, who have a reputation around the league of favoring clients of CAA, the agency that employed Leon Rose before his move to the Knicks front office,” Bondy wrote.

The last Klutch Sports client who played for the Knicks was Cam Reddish, whose time in New York did not end well. The former lottery pick was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers midseason in exchange for Josh Hart, who played a vital role in the Knicks’ playoff run.

Reddish, who only saw action for 35 games during his forgettable stint with the Knicks, blamed favoritism and politics for his lack of a defined role.

“It was tough but at the same time, it ain’t even about basketball,” Reddish told the New York Daily News in March. “It had nothing to do with basketball. It was all the politics, all the favoritism. S**t like that. That’s why I wasn’t too worried about it.”

Paul and Knicks president Leon Rose go back a long way. But their working relationship took a sharp turn in 2013 when LeBron James left Rose as his agent. James formed the Klutch Sports agency with Paul, who previously worked under Rose at CAA, as his business partner.

Knicks Sign Obi Toppin’s Brother to 2-Way Deal

Without a pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, the Knicks signed undrafted prospect Jacob Toppin of Kentucky and Overtime Elite’s Jaylen Martin to two-way deals.

Jacob is the younger brother of Knicks reserve forward Obi Toppin, the subject of trade rumors.

The younger Toppin and Martin are expected to suit up for the Knicks in the Las Vegas Summer League next month.

Jacob Toppin, 23, played three seasons for Kentucky after spending his freshman year at Rhode Islands. On the other hand, Martin played for former Knicks guard Charlie Ward at Florida High before signing with Overtime Elite.

Obi Toppin Engaged Tom Thibodeau in Heated Argument

Details of Obi Toppin’s verbal altercation with Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau after their Game 4 loss in Miami emerged on June 21 amid trade rumors involving the former lottery pick.

“According to league sources who were present, once the final buzzer sounded, Toppin aired his grievances to Thibodeau,” The Athletic’s Fred Katz wrote. “The 24-year-old wants to play, and he wants to win. That evening, neither happened. An intense verbal altercation occurred between the player and coach as the group trekked to the Kaseya Center visiting locker room in Miami. It spilled into the postgame meeting once the doors closed.”

A disgruntled Toppin is a prime trade candidate, according to a Newsday report.

“League sources indicated that Toppin was hoping for a trade at the deadline last season and now both sides are in alignment that it’s time for a change of scenery for Toppin,” Newsday’s Steve Popper wrote.

After a quiet NBA Draft Night for the New York Knicks, they signed Kentucky’s Jacob Toppin, Obi’s younger brother, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

It was an interesting move amid rumors of the older Toppin wanting out of the team due to his lack of a defined role. It gained more steam when his verbal altercation against Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau during the playoffs was leaked a few days before the draft.

The younger Toppin’s defensive upside was intriguing enough for the Knicks to take a flier on him. The 6-9 Jacob Toppin averaged 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists for John Calipari’s Wildcats this past season.

In his final collegiate play, Jacob was stellar on defense against his former teammate Bryce Hopkins as he led Kentucky to its first NCAA Tournament win in four years with 18 points and six rebounds.

“Ever since I was a kid, it’s always been a dream of mine to be able to play at the highest level of basketball,” Toppin said when he announced his decision to go pro. “I came to Kentucky to chase that dream, and in my time here, I’ve grown tremendously, not only as a player but as a man. This place has taught me things that I will take with me for the rest of my life.”

Jacob Toppin, 23, played three seasons for Kentucky after spending his freshman year at Rhode Islands.

The Knicks have also signed Jaylen Martin of the Overtime Elite, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The 19-year-old 6-6 Martin averaged 14 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in the Overtime Elite. He attended a Knicks workout during his pre-draft process, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. He played under former Knicks guard Charlie Ward at Florida High before signing with Overtime Elite.

Both two-way players are expected to play for the Knicks in the Las Vegas Summer League next month.

Knicks Hesitant on Paul George Trade

After reaching out to the Los Angeles Clippers for Paul George, the Knicks became hesitant to aggressively pursue the eight-time All-Star wing, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

“After some internal discussions, the Knicks have become hesitant about acquiring George. The Knicks also think George’s representatives will ask for a contract extension. He’s due to earn $45.6 million next season and $48.8 million the following season if he exercises his option,” LA Times’ Andrew Greif and Broderick Turner wrote.

The 33-year-old All-Star has only played 186 games over his four seasons with the Clippers.

Knicks Interested to Sign Donte DiVincenzo

The Knicks are interested in Golden State Warriors reserve guard DiVincenzo in free agency, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

“I’m told that several influential people with the Knicks are fans of the idea of adding Donte DiVincenzo to this roster in free agency. DiVincenzo is a free agent this summer. So that’s a name to keep an eye on,” Begley said in a video posted on Twitter.

DiVincenzo is unlikely to pick up his $4.7 million player option and the Knicks can offer him their $12.2 million non-taxpayer exception.

DiVincenzo was a member of the 2016 Villanova championship team, including Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

The New York Knicks are having cold feet again.

After engaging the Los Angeles Clippers in trade talks for eight-time All-Star Paul George, the risk-averse Knicks are having second thoughts about pulling the trigger, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

“After some internal discussions, the Knicks have become hesitant about acquiring George. The Knicks also think George’s representatives will ask for a contract extension. He’s due to earn $45.6 million next season and $48.8 million the following season if he exercises his option,” LA Times’ Andrew Greif and Broderick Turner wrote.

The 33-year-old Clippers star’s contract and extensive injury history have made the Knicks and other potential suitors hesitant, Greif and Turner noted.

George has never played more than 56 games since the Clippers acquired him for five first-round picks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2019. Over his last four seasons, all with the Clippers, George averaged 23.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 186 games.

The Knicks also experienced the same last summer when they were hesitant to go all-in on a Donovan Mitchell trade. It turned out to be the right move as Jalen Brunson exceeded expectations and led the Knicks to a first-round win over Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Playoffs.

Knicks Interested in Warriors’ Free Agent

The Knicks are interested in signing Golden State Warriors’ impending free agent Donte DiVincenzo, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

“I’m told that several influential people with the Knicks are fans of the idea of adding Donte DiVincenzo to this roster in free agency. DiVincenzo is a free agent this summer. So that’s a name to keep an eye on,” Begley said.

DiVincenzo is unlikely to pick up his $4.7 million player option for a more lucrative deal in the open market. The Knicks have the $12.2 million non-taxpayer exception to offer DiVincenzo.

Obi Toppin-Tom Thibodeau Altercation Leaked

Obi Toppin’s heated argument with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after their Game 4 loss in Miami has been leaked amid trade rumors involving the former lottery pick.

“According to league sources who were present, once the final buzzer sounded, Toppin aired his grievances to Thibodeau,” The Athletic’s Fred Katz wrote. “The 24-year-old wants to play, and he wants to win. That evening, neither happened. An intense verbal altercation occurred between the player and coach as the group trekked to the Kaseya Center visiting locker room in Miami. It spilled into the postgame meeting once the doors closed.”

Toppin, disgruntled for his lack of playing time for a while, want a change of scenery which the Knicks have agreed to accommodate, according to a Newsday report.

“League sources indicated that Toppin was hoping for a trade at the deadline last season and now both sides are in alignment that it’s time for a change of scenery for Toppin,” Newsday’s Steve Popper wrote.

Josh Hart may get his wish to reunite him, Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo, another key member of the 2016 Villanova championship team, in New York.

The New York Knicks are interested in signing DiVincenzo when free agency begins on July 1, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

“I’m told that several influential people with the Knicks are fans of the idea of adding Donte DiVincenzo to this roster in free agency. DiVincenzo is a free agent this summer. So that’s a name to keep an eye on,” Begley said in a video posted on Twitter.

DiVincenzo is unlikely to pick up his $4.7 million player option following a solid season with the Golden State Warriors. He has until June 29 to decide on his player option.

DiVincenzo bounced back from a left ankle injury and played a career-high 72 games while averaging 9.4 points per game on a career-high 39.7% from downtown on top of 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals as a spark plug off the Warriors’ bench.

Hart openly said in a Bleacher Report interview that he’s trying to recruit his former Villanova teammates, including DiVincenzo.

“Those [Villanova] guys in the league, I’m trying to get them to NY,” Hart told Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks in a one-on-one interview posted on June 5. “[Donte], that’s my guy. I was talking to him the other day.”

The Knicks have the $12.2 million non-taxpayer exception, which they could use to reunite DiVincenzo with Hart and Brunson.

Knicks, Clippers Have Had Contact About Paul George Trade

The Knicks have started to make their moves a few hours before Thursday night’s NBA Draft, with an eye on an eight-time All-Star wing to bolster their 47-win roster.

“The Knicks and Clippers have had contact about a potential Paul George trade, per SNY sources. It is unknown if Clippers are willing to move George,” SNY’s Ian Begley tweeted.

The Clippers have been trying to gauge George’s trade value, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

“League sources tell The Stein Line that the LA Clippers have left various rival teams with the impression through their Draft Week conversations that they are, at a minimum, attempting to gauge Paul George’s trade value and, to hear some describe it, giving real consideration to the idea of disassembling the Kawhi Leonard/George tandem,” Stein wrote.

George, 33, has only two years left on his four-year, $176 million deal with a $48.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season.

Chris Paul Praises Jalen Brunson

Recently traded Chris Paul praised Knicks rising point guard Jalen Brunson on  The Ryen Russillo Podcast.

“Jalen Brunson, that’s my man. Y’all so lucky to have Jalen here,” Paul said. “One year, I was traveling and wanted somebody to travel and work out with me. It was Rick Brunson. So Jalen was working out and training with me in eighth or ninth grade. Jalen has been nice for a long time. Y’all just know that. Y’all getting to see it now… He’s always had a brilliant basketball mind and him coming to New York gave him the opportunity to run the show.”

Paul was included in the Phoenix Suns–Washington Wizards‘ blockbuster Bradley Beal trade. He was re-routed on Thursday to the Warriors in a separate trade that sent Jordan Poole and draft assets to the Wizards, per multiple reports.

Prior to his trade to the Golden State Warriors Thursday, the New York Knicks were linked as a possible destination for legendary point guard Chris Paul this summer, and his recent appearance on The Ryen Russillo Podcast only added fuel to these buzzed-about rumblings.

When discussing the current state of the Knicks, the future Hall of Famer couldn’t help but rave about New York’s starting floor general Jalen Brunson, glowingly noting that the franchise is lucky to have him.

“Jalen Brunson, that’s my man. Y’all so lucky to have Jalen here,” Chris Paul said. “One year I was traveling and I wanted somebody to travel and work out with me. It was Rick Brunson. So Jalen was in eighth grade or ninth grade working out and training with me. Jalen been nice for a long time. Y’all just know that. Y’all getting to see it now… He’s always had a brilliant basketball mind and him coming to New York gave him the opportunity to run the show.”

Chris Paul would continue on to reveal that he went to the Final Four with Rick Brunson (presumably in 2018, as he noted he was playing the Spurs at the time and the event was held in San Antonio) “to watch Jalen play when he was in college.”

Insider Believed Knicks Were a Team to Watch for Chris Paul

Prior to his move to the Washington Wizards via the Bradley Beal blockbuster and, ultimately, his arrival in Golden State, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski suggested that if Chris Paul were to have been waived and, in turn, hit the free agency market, the Knicks would have been a threat to the Warriors in such a pursuit.

“If Chris Paul is out there as a free agent this summer, look at the two teams in L.A. — the Clippers and the Lakers — the Knicks in New York [and] the Golden State Warriors. Those are potential destinations for Chris Paul, who would sign a deal in a much lower number than the $30 million he’s guaranteed in Phoenix if he stays there past that June 28 deadline,” Wojnarowski said.

Though this report was made while he was still a member of the Phoenix Suns, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM revealed to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto that a current player informed him the Knicks would have been a real contender for his services if he was released.

“I still think the Lakers and Clippers probably have the best shot, probably more so the Lakers. Now, somebody could still trade for him with that salary. I find it hard to believe, but it’s possible. If he gets waived outright, I wouldn’t rule out the Knicks only because a player told me he was hearing they’re a good option for Chris, so keep that in mind,” Gambadoro said.

Knicks Could Use Julius Randle as a ‘Matching Salary’

Should the Knicks make a move for a star-caliber player on the trade block this summer, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn suggests that while they may “hate to trade him,” All-Star big man Julius Randle could be used as a “matching salary” in a high-profile exchange.

“Randle’s two-time All-NBA status would seemingly make him a valuable trade asset… but back-to-back poor playoff showings limit his appeal. The Knicks want to land a star, and the matching salary they send out will likely depend on what kind of player they get back. If they acquire a top big man? Randle almost has to be in the trade, as he makes little sense alongside a better power forward or center,” Quinn wrote.

Heading into the second season of his current four-year, $117 million contract, Randle finds himself coming off his second All-NBA and All-Star season, where he posted a career-best scoring average of 25.1 points per game to go along with 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

The New York Knicks have contacted the Los Angeles Clippers for a potential Paul George trade, SNY’s Ian Begley reported on Thursday.

Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer was the first to report about the Knicks’ interest in the eight-time All-Star.

“I think absolutely, they’re going to try [to acquire a star], and they’ll call [Philadelphia], they’ll call Minnesota, they’ll call L.A. about Paul George,” Fischer told Sportsnaut’s Jason Burgos on May 19. “I think the Knicks are going to call far and wide to try to see what their draft capital can acquire and maybe a mix of certain players on the roster.”

Fischer doubled down on Thursday, a few hours ahead of the NBA Draft.

“There has certainly been talk of New York’s interest in acquiring George should the Clippers truly make him available, but Los Angeles has the intention to continue bolstering its roster around George and Kawhi Leonard — as evidenced by the team’s attempt to bring [Malcolm] Brogdon into the fold,” Fischer wrote.

The Clippers, however, backed out of the original Kristaps Porzingis three-team trade that could have landed them Brogdon.

George, a Creative Artists Agency client, shares the same agent with Knicks two-time All-Star Julius Randle, a recent guest on his podcast.

The 33-year-old Clippers star has two years left on his four-year, $176 million deal with a $48.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season. He is currently recuperating from a leg injury that kept him out of the Clippers’ playoff run, which ended with a first-round flameout against the Phoenix Suns.

Before going down with the leg injury, George earned his eighth All-Star berth as he carried the Clippers with Leonard in and out of the lineup. George played 56 games, averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals on a 46/37/87 shooting split.

If successful, George’s two-way versatility and outside shooting should boost the Knicks, who are coming off a 47-win season and a second-round playoff appearance.

Ex-Knicks Lottery Pick Traded to Celtics

After the Clippers backed out at the last minute, the Washington Wizards were still able to complete a Porzingis trade to the Knicks’ Atlantic Division rival Boston Celtics, roping in the Memphis Grizzlies, per multiple reports.

The Celtics acquired Porzingis, the No. 25 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and the 2024 Warriors’ first-round pick (top-4 protected) for former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, who ultimately landed with the Grizzlies.

The Wizards, now in full tank mode, got Tyus Jones and the expiring salaries of Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala and the No. 35 pick in Thursday’s draft.

Julius Randle Jokes About Thumbs Down Fiasco

In a wide-ranging interview with George and his co-hosts on his podcast, Randle touched on his lowest moment as a Knicks player.

“I would say first thing first, if you want a lesson, don’t do thumbs down to the crowd. I did that. That didn’t work out well for me (laughs),” Randle said on Paul George’s Podcast P show. “That was my immaturity, maybe. Don’t do that.”

Randle atoned for his inappropriate behavior with a bounce-back season, earning him his second All-Star berth and a spot in the All-NBA Third Team.

Former New York Knicks lottery pick Kristaps Porzingis is not returning to the Big Apple after all.

In a blockbuster midnight 3-team trade, the Washington Wizards sent Porzingis to Knicks’ Atlantic Division rival Boston Celtics, per multiple reports.

Here are the complete details of the 3-team deal:

Celtics acquire: Kristaps Porzingis, No. 25 pick in 2023 NBA Draft, 2024 Warriors’ first-round pick (top-4 protected)

Grizzlies acquire: Marcus Smart

Wizards acquire: No. 35 pick in 2023 NBA Draft, Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala

Porzingis opted into his $36 million player option to complete the trade. Before the transaction that completely shook up the Celtics roster, Porzingis was rumored to be a Knicks offseason target via sign-and-trade. It gained more steam after Porzingis raved about his time in New York on the May 31 episode of the Ariel Helwani Show.

“That was like my first love, the city of New York. Playing in [Madison Square Garden], so of course, I do not have the best feeling when I get so much hate but, as I said, [the relationship is] better. Of course, I can understand now how the fans could feel that way or how they viewed me at that time and then I asked for a trade and I get painted as the villain. But it is what it is,” Porzingis said.

Disgruntled Obi Toppin Could Be Traded

A disgruntled Obi Toppin is a prime candidate to be traded this offseason after his verbal altercation with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after their Game 4 loss to Miami in the playoffs leaked.

“According to league sources who were present, once the final buzzer sounded, Toppin aired his grievances to Thibodeau,” The Athletic’s Fred Katz wrote. “The 24-year-old wants to play, and he wants to win. That evening, neither happened. An intense verbal altercation occurred between the player and coach as the group trekked to the Kaseya Center visiting locker room in Miami. It spilled into the postgame meeting once the doors closed.”

“On this occasion, as Toppin yelled at Thibodeau in front of teammates so fresh off a loss that they were still in uniform, assistant coach Rick Brunson stepped in to stand up for his boss,” Katz wrote. “Toppin and Brunson got into it for a moment. Randle, Evan Fournier and Josh Hart next pulled Toppin aside to cool him off.”

The stunning news of the verbal altercation came on the heels of a June 20 Newsday report that Toppin and the Knicks have agreed to part ways.

“League sources indicated that Toppin was hoping for a trade at the deadline last season and now both sides are in alignment that it’s time for a change of scenery for Toppin,” Newsday’s Steve Popper wrote.

Paul George Available?

Los Angeles Clippers are toying with the idea of trading eight-time All-Star Paul George, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

“League sources tell The Stein Line that the LA Clippers have left various rival teams with the impression through their Draft Week conversations that they are, at a minimum, attempting to gauge Paul George’s trade value and, to hear some describe it, giving real consideration to the idea of disassembling the Kawhi Leonard/George tandem,” Stein wrote.

The 8-time All-Star is one of the stars the Knicks have been monitoring, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.

“I think absolutely, they’re going to try [to acquire a star], and they’ll call [Philadelphia], they’ll call Minnesota, they’ll call L.A. about Paul George,” Fischer told Sportsnaut’s Jason Burgos on May 19. “I think the Knicks are going to call far and wide to try to see what their draft capital can acquire and maybe a mix of certain players on the roster.”

Obi Toppin’s frustration about his lack of playing time boiled over after the New York Knicks’ Game 4 loss to eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in their second round series, The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported on June 21.

“According to league sources who were present, once the final buzzer sounded, Toppin aired his grievances to Thibodeau,” Katz wrote. “The 24-year-old wants to play, and he wants to win. That evening, neither happened. An intense verbal altercation occurred between the player and coach as the group trekked to the Kaseya Center visiting locker room in Miami. It spilled into the postgame meeting once the doors closed.”

Toppin played only six minutes off the bench, tallying 4 points and 1 rebound in the Knicks’ 109-101 loss on May 8. The defeat sent them to a 3-1 series deficit, and they would eventually lose the series 4-2.

“On this occasion, as Toppin yelled at Thibodeau in front of teammates so fresh off a loss that they were still in uniform, assistant coach Rick Brunson stepped in to stand up for his boss,” Katz wrote. “Toppin and Brunson got into it for a moment. Randle, Evan Fournier and Josh Hart next pulled Toppin aside to cool him off.”

Toppin and Thibodeau patched things up the next day, according to Katz. There were no ill effects of that altercation as the Knicks won Game 5, with Toppin playing 12 minutes off the bench to extend the series, but they eventually folded in Game 6.

Is Tom Thibodeau a Fan of Obi Toppin?

Before the Knicks’ opening-round win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a longtime NBA scout foreshadowed the heated encounter between Toppin, a former lottery pick in 2020, and his coach.

“I like Obi, and I like athletic guys. I do wonder if [Thibodeau] is a fan of Obi,” the Western Conference scout told Heavy Sports. “It’s so important to have the coach in your corner. Is he getting frustrated? I’m sure he wants to play. But I know he’s a good team guy. I know Knicks management was very active. I’m sure they’ll be listening to offers.”

Will that verbal spat serve as the last straw for Toppin and the Knicks?

Obi Toppin on the Move?

The NBA scout foreshadowed not only the verbal spat but also Toppin’s desire to be traded.

“I wonder how much better he gets,” the Western Conference scout told Heavy Sports in May. “Is he just going to be an athletic guy that can maybe make some shots, sometimes on the floor or make a dunk? He’s not super skilled.

“So I think maybe when the offseason comes, I’m sure they’ll listen, and maybe who knows, if Toppin will ask for a trade. I just don’t know if his future is in New York. He’s a former lottery pick and if he’s not playing major minutes now, he needs to maybe find another place, another opportunity,” the NBA scout added.

On June 20, a report came out that Toppin and the Knicks have mutually agreed to part ways.

“League sources indicated that Toppin was hoping for a trade at the deadline last season and now both sides are in alignment that it’s time for a change of scenery for Toppin,” Newsday’s Steve Popper wrote.

This summer, the New York Knicks could look to shake things up and make that long-awaited splash via the trade market. Though many believe the most likely incentive for the franchise would be to create a new Big 3 consisting of star big man Julius Randle, one NBA reporter is of the belief that he could find himself being used as an outbound asset.

When discussing the concept of players who could “potentially be dealt” following the Bradley Beal blockbuster with the Phoenix Suns, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn suggested that while the Knicks may “hate to trade him,” Randle could realistically be used as “matching salary” in a trade for a new star.

“Randle’s two-time All-NBA status would seemingly make him a valuable trade asset… but back-to-back poor playoff showings limit his appeal. The Knicks want to land a star, and the matching salary they send out will likely depend on what kind of player they get back. If they acquire a top big man? Randle almost has to be in the trade, as he makes little sense alongside a better power forward or center,” Quinn wrote.

Julius Randle put forth one of his best seasons during the 2022-23 campaign, as he sported career-high averages in points (25.1) while also posting 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. With his efforts, he managed to nab both his second All-Star and All-NBA nod along the way.

Still, regardless of his production, Quinn still believes that, for the right replacement, the Knicks should consider parting ways with their current cornerstone.

Knicks Urged to Swap Julius Randle for Zion Williamson

One popular route that has been taking the media circuits by storm recently is a proposed transaction by Jeremy Brener of Fan Nation that, essentially, would see a swap of Julius Randle for New Orleans Pelicans star, Zion Williamson.

The meat of his proposed trade reads as follows:

New York Knicks receive: Zion Williamson and Garrett Temple

New Orleans Pelicans receive: Julius Randle and Evan Fournier

Brener would continue on to note that the two reunions created by this transaction between former teammates Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram with the Pelicans and Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett with the Knicks could prove to be both entertaining and quite beneficial for several reasons, while he would describe the trade as a whole as one that “works for both sides.”

“Temple’s contract is nonguaranteed for the upcoming season, which means the Knicks can cut ties with him after the trade if they wish with no cost against them. Ironically, this trade would reunite Randle with former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Brandon Ingram while putting Williamson on Barrett’s side once more. Randle also spent the final season of his pre-Knicks career in New Orleans during the 2018-19 campaign. Trading for Williamson is an undoubted [gamble] for the Knicks, especially with the top pick’s injury history (29 games over the last two seasons) but also allows them an opportunity to rid themselves of Fournier’s contract. For the Pelicans, it gives them a fresh start without Williamson and an opportunity to re-tool around Ingram with Randle beside him in the frontcourt,” Brener wrote.

Of course, it goes without question that, when healthy, Zion Williamson is one of the top players the NBA currently has to offer, and his career averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 60.5% from the field and 34.3% from deep only strengthen this sentiment.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the power forward, injuries have become synonymous with his professional career to date, as he has played in just 114 out of a potential total of 308 regular season games since entering the league back in 2019.

Nonetheless, many feel as though taking a chance on his upside when health aliments are at bay could be a move well worth making for the Knicks, and reuniting the former Duke standouts in Williamson and RJ Barrett and teaming them up with budding star guard Jalen Brunson could prove to be a great core trio for New York.

Knicks ‘Not in a Position’ to Trade Julius Randle

Though the concept of trading Julius Randle this summer may be appealing to some fans and media pundits, the plausibility of such a transaction happening seems to be rather low.

That’s what one anonymous league executive told Heavy Sports NBA insider Sean Deveney, at least, as they stated that even with his top-notch production on the year, the big man’s value on the trade market is still a bit underwhelming.

“They are not in position to trade Randle because there’s no way to get value for him,” the executive said. “They have found a way to get him to be really productive with what they do. But that does not really translate to a lot of other teams. So that is always going to work against them if they were to move him. But they have not had those conversations in a long time, and he has three years left on the contract (the third year is a player option) so it is something where he is not going anywhere for a while.”

Of course, this news not only will be upsetting to hear for fans but also possibly for Randle’s own backup Obi Toppin, who, per recent reports by Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, has grown “frustrated at times with his role” on the Knicks as a result of seeing minimal playing time as a result of being blocked on the depth chart behind New York’s All-NBA forward.

One of the All-Star wings on the New York Knicks‘ radar has been generating trade buzz, but like on the Bradley Beal sweepstakes, they are at the back of the line.

Los Angeles Clippers are toying with the idea of trading eight-time All-Star Paul George, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

“League sources tell The Stein Line that the LA Clippers have left various rival teams with the impression through their Draft Week conversations that they are, at a minimum, attempting to gauge Paul George’s trade value and, to hear some describe it, giving real consideration to the idea of disassembling the Kawhi Leonard/George tandem,” Stein wrote.

However, it’s not the Knicks but two Western Conference teams are the frontrunners should the Clippers push for a George trade.

“[Damian] Lillard’s Trail Blazers at No. 3 in the draft and the star-searching Houston Rockets at No. 4, sources say, have been identified as potential trade partners if the Clippers decide that they indeed want to shake their roster up dramatically for the final season before the team moves to owner Steve Ballmer’s sparkly new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., for the 2024-25 campaign,” Stein added.

In May, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Knicks will inquire about George’s availability as they look to add a star to their roster, which advanced to the second round of the playoffs this past season for the first time in a decade.

“I think absolutely, they’re going to try [to acquire a star], and they’ll call [Philadelphia], they’ll call Minnesota, they’ll call L.A. about Paul George,” Fischer told Sportsnaut’s Jason Burgos on May 19. “I think the Knicks are going to call far and wide to try to see what their draft capital can acquire and maybe a mix of certain players on the roster.”

The Knicks have a surplus of first-round draft picks, six of their own from 2024 to 2029 and four more from other teams with varying protections.

The Clippers gave up a haul for George in 2019 — five first-round picks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who blossomed into an All-NBA First-Team player four years after the blockbuster trade. But injuries have robbed the Clippers a shot at an NBA championship with their All-NBA duo of George and Kawhi Leonard. When both are healthy, the Clippers are a dominant team with a 96-46 (.676) record.

George is represented by Creative Artists Agency’s Aaron Mintz, whose list of clients also include Knicks players Julius Randle, Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Knicks’ Shot at Paul George Is via 3-Team Trade

The Knicks may not have what the Clippers covet, but they could still be in play for a George trade. All they need to do is grease the wheels of a three-team trade, according to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale.

“[The Clippers] are not on the precipice of rebuilding. A package built around some combo of Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett, Obi Toppin and a caps-lock DRAFT HAUL won’t wow them. But three-team trades exist for a reason, and the sheer breadth of assets the Knicks can unload will start conversations that otherwise wouldn’t take place,” Favale wrote on May 20.

Karl-Anthony Towns Not on Trade Block

A George trade could be the Knicks’ best bet in landing a star this offseason after their other rumored target Karl-Anthony Towns is no longer available.

The Minnesota Timberwolves plan to run it back with Towns, Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards, according to The Athletic’s Timberwolves beat reporter Jon Krawczynski on Tuesday.

“With [Rudy] Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns already on max contracts, and KAT’s supermax extension set to begin in 2024-25, holding this team together over the long haul is going to be a challenge.

That has led to widespread speculation that Towns could be on the move. He is younger and much more versatile offensively than Gobert, so he figures to have higher value if he were put on the trade market. But president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and coach Chris Finch have said publicly that their plan is to move forward with the existing core, with both believing a full summer and training camp together, and improved health from Towns and Gobert, will be enough to solve some of the offensive problems the team had last season. Owners Glen Taylor, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are on board with that approach as well, sources said,” Krawczynski wrote.

In 2022, Julius Randle‘s love-hate relationship with the New York Knicks fanbase hit rock bottom when he flashed a thumbs-down gesture to a booing Madison Square Garden crowd.

More than a year after that lowest point of his Knicks career, Randle can now joke about it and look back with a different perspective.

“I would say first thing first, if you want a lesson, don’t do thumbs down to the crowd. I did that. That didn’t work out well for me (laughs),” Randle said on Paul George’s Podcast P show. “That was my immaturity maybe. Don’t do that.”

Randle returned this past season a better man growing from that experience. He showed more restraint, leaning on a pre-game meditation routine. His play showed his growth as he performed even better than in his first All-Star season.

This past season, Randle earned his second All-Star berth and a spot in the All-NBA Third Team after averaging a double-double — a career-best 25.1 points on 45.9% field goal shooting, 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He also made a career-high 218 3-pointers for the entire regular season, falling just 23 short of matching Evan Fournier’s franchise record of 241 3s.

Randle missed the final five games of the regular season due to a left ankle injury, which slowed him down in the playoffs. Despite his subpar shooting and up-and-down play in the playoffs, he managed to help the Knicks notch their first series win since 2013 before losing to eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in six games in the second round.

[Social] Media vs. Real Life Interaction With Fans

Randle also shared that there is a stark contrast about how Knicks fanbase projects or gets portrayed in the traditional and social media than in real life.

“I think that’s honestly the craziest thing because if you look at it from a media perspective, you’d be like, ‘Damn it’s hard being there.’ But…I go on walks all the time, around the city. I’m out, whatever it is, and it’s so much love bro,” Randle said on Paul George’s Podcast P show. “The actual fans, interaction, face-to-face, it’s crazy how much love it is, bro.

“We ain’t won s–t, bro. We got to the second round, bro. They’re so appreciative, bro. The interaction, face to face, it’s love. You look elsewhere [in the media, social media], you wouldn’t think it. But it’s cool.”

Knicks Fans’ Tough Love Made Julius Randle Better

While Randle admits the Knicks fans’ tough love can wear him down at times, it also made him a better person and player.

“Honestly, I love it, bro, because it’s made me the player I am today,” Randle said on Paul George’s Podcast P show. “It pushes me. It all depends on how you look at it. It can be tough for some people. And it’s been tough for me. It’s been tough for me, it’s been tough for my family. It’s hard; the hardest thing for me is my family, right? You know, the Garden is a different animal. The hardest thing for me is my family and my son. Both of my sons but [Kyden], in particular, because he’s older.”

“That’s the toughest thing but I love it man because it’s made me who I am today. It done taught me so much more about myself and as a player, figuring out what really matter and what don’t; it done taught me a lot about who I am as a human. I done grown so much. I done grown a lot. But that s—t age you though, bro. It’s like almost like you the president, you know? The president, they go in there and you see them and they look great when they first [get elected] and then four years later, they look old as hell (laughs). That’s how I feel right now (laughs),” he added.

With the 2023 NBA draft rapidly approaching on June 22, it appears the pick-less New York Knicks are looking for a way to partake in the festivities by trading their way into the first round.

Should this be their true desire, Steve Popper of Newsday suggests that the “key” to turning this plan into a reality is to offer up their promising young big Obi Toppin as a headline trade asset.

“If the Knicks want to get into the first round, it is Toppin who could be the player on the move to make it happen. Taken No. 8 overall in the 2020 draft — the first player selected by the front office of Leon Rose and William Wesley — Toppin has never become the impact piece anticipated when the hometown kid was grabbed by the Knicks. Stuck behind Julius Randle, who plays every night and nearly every minute, Toppin’s opportunities were limited and despite occasional flashes, he has no path forward in New York right now,” Popper wrote.

Though there are recent reports that state the power forward has grown frustrated with his role with the Knicks, Popper would continue on by noting that league sources have informed him “Toppin was hoping for a trade at the deadline last season,” though, of course, no such transaction was made.

However, he acknowledged that “now both sides are in alignment that it’s time for a change of scenery for Toppin.”

Pacers Could Be a Realistic Option for Knicks, Obi Toppin

On Tuesday, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News suggested that if the Knicks were to look to move on from Obi Toppin in an attempt to receive a first-round draft pick in 2023, one team that could prove to be a worthwhile partner for his services is the Indiana Pacers.

“A league executive tapped Toppin’s trade value as a late first-rounder. The Pacers, who own the 26th and 29th picks on Thursday, have been speculated as a partner since they were also interested in Toppin before last season’s trade deadline,” Bondy wrote.

This is by no means the first time the Knicks divisional rival has been linked as a viable suitor for Obi Toppin, as an anonymous league executive informed Heavy Sports NBA insider Sean Deveney back in December of 2022 that the Pacers had engaged in trade talks regarding an in-season deal involving the forward.

“He fits in Indiana, especially if they keep Turner. Obi is a rim-runner, he has some toughness, he has athleticism. He needs minutes and a team that is rebuilding with young talent like Indy is a really good match,” the exec told Deveney.

Though his career averages of 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds won’t necessarily blow anyone away, it is his flashes of brilliance when receiving an increased role or a bump in playing time that likely has caught the attention of the Pacers and perhaps any other interested ball club.

Through 15 starts during his three-year career with the Knicks, Obi Toppin finds himself sporting stellar averages of 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 57.6% from the field and 44.0% from deep.

Knicks Have Third-Best Odds of Landing Zion Williamson

The Knicks may be interested in thrusting themselves into this year’s first round of the NBA Draft, but, even if they were to fail in trying to achieve such a task, they could still find themselves adding on a top-selected talent from just a few years back.

According to bookies.com, New York currently holds the third-best odds (+750 — 11.8% implied probability) of landing New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson via trade this summer.

Over the last few weeks, rumors have been circulating suggesting that the Pelicans could be open to moving on from their fourth-year franchise cornerstone, with The Ringer’s Bill Simmons stating on his podcast that he’s heard Williamson could be moved as early as this week.

“The Zion thing is a real, real subplot. I had somebody that I trust tell me [Saturday] that he will not be on that [New Orleans Pelicans] team on Thursday. I was like, ‘Really? I haven’t heard that.’ He said, ‘You watch.’ So, there you go on that,” Simmons said.

After signing a lucrative five-year, $194 million extension last summer, Zion Williamson only managed to play in 29 games, though averaged an impressive stat line of 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 60.8% shooting from the field and 36.8% shooting from deep.

Should the Knicks opt to trade for him, clearly they’d be banking on his upside when healthy, as he boasts averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 60.5% from the field and 34.3% from deep for his career.

Unfortunately, staying healthy has proven to be a tall ask for the power forward, as he has played in just 114 out of a potential total of 308 regular season games through four years in the association.

The New York Knicks may be a team on the rise following their surprise run to the conference semifinals in 2022-23, but not all members of the organization seem content. Tuesday, Stefan Bondy of  the New York Daily News reported that third-year big man Obi Toppin has grown “frustrated at times with his role” on the team.

The response from Knicks fans has mostly been understanding, as the former lottery pick has been trapped behind All-NBA forward Julius Randle since his arrival back in 2020. In fact, several members of the franchise’s fanbase have since gone to social media to cast blame for Obi Toppin’s discontent upon one man: Tom Thibodeau.

“I hate to see him go, but it makes to much sense for him to want out. They got no plan for him, what so ever. It’s sickening how Thibs is just wasting him,” wrote a fan.

Others were quick to note that considering the fact that Obi Toppin is already 25, there should be no surprise that he’s grown frustrated with his lacking role within Tom Thibodeau’s scheme.

“Of course Obi Toppin is frustrated with the Knicks He already got into the NBA a little older and Thibs is literally wasting his career and costing him millions,” wrote Alex B. of Bad Weather Fans.

One fan went as far as to predict that the Knicks will likely not only lose Obi Toppin in the near future, but they’ll also wind up parting ways with Tom Thibodeau following this next season.

“The funny thing is we’re gonna lose Toppin but we are gonna fire Thibs next year anyway,” another fan tweeted.

This finger-pointing and apparent calls for Tom Thibodeau’s job come just days after ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith suggested that 2023-24 should be the head coach’s final season with the Knicks, citing his inability to adapt as a major reason why.

Pacers ‘Speculated’ as a Trade Partner for Obi Toppin

Within Bondy’s report of Obi Toppin’s discontent, he would go on to note that heading into Thursday’s NBA Draft, a team that should be viewed as a possible pursuer of his services is the Indiana Pacers.

“A league executive tapped Toppin’s trade value as a late first-rounder. The Pacers, who own the 26th and 29th picks on Thursday, have been speculated as a partner since they were also interested in Toppin before last season’s trade deadline,” Bondy wrote.

The link between Toppin and the Pacers dates as far back as December of 2022, as an anonymous league executive informed Heavy Sports’ NBA insider Sean Deveney that the Knicks had gone as far as to engage in talks with their conference rivals regarding an in-season trade involving the forward.

“He fits in Indiana, especially if they keep Turner. Obi is a rim-runner, he has some toughness, he has athleticism. He needs minutes and a team that is rebuilding with young talent like Indy is a really good match,” the exec told Deveney.

Obi Toppin has struggled to come across consistent playing time throughout his tenure with the Knicks, but when given an increased role and an uptick in minutes, he has only proven capable of excelling.

Seeing 15 starts during his three-year NBA career, the big man finds himself sporting stellar averages of 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 57.6% from the field and 44.0% from deep.

Knicks Listed as Potential Landing Spot for Zion Williamson

Though concerns are that the Knicks could end up losing their former eighth overall selected power forward in Obi Toppin, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz suggests the club could be in the running for a former top-selected talent of the same position, as he listed New York as a potential landing spot for Zion Williamson should the Pelicans trade him this summer.

“New Orleans has the talent and future draft assets to become a powerhouse in the Western Conference but is continually held hostage by the 22-year-old’s injuries,” Swartz wrote. “Trading him now while there’s still value may be the best path forward, and it’s something the rest of the NBA is watching,” Swartz wrote before listing the Knicks as one of the ‘best trade landing spots.’

Since signing a five-year, $194 million extension last summer he has seen just 29 games of action.

However, as has been the case throughout his injury-plagued career, during his limited run on the hardwood Zion Williamson proved to be highly productive, as he posted stellar averages of 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 60.8% shooting from the field and 36.8% shooting from deep.

New York Knicks rumored target Karl-Anthony Towns is off the trade block, contrary to an earlier report that he could be traded soon as early these next few weeks.

On June 9, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus reported that “other competing executives think Karl-Anthony Towns will be long gone ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Some even believe Minnesota would jump at an opportunity in the next few weeks.”

But that is not the case, according to The Athletic’s Timberwolves beat reporter Jon Krawczynski on Tuesday.

“With [Rudy] Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns already on max contracts, and KAT’s supermax extension set to begin in 2024-25, holding this team together over the long haul is going to be a challenge.

That has led to widespread speculation that Towns could be on the move. He is younger and much more versatile offensively than Gobert, so he figures to have higher value if he were put on the trade market. But president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and coach Chris Finch have said publicly that their plan is to move forward with the existing core, with both believing a full summer and training camp together, and improved health from Towns and Gobert, will be enough to solve some of the offensive problems the team had last season. Owners Glen Taylor, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez are on board with that approach as well, sources said,” Krawczynski wrote.

Towns, who signed a four-year, $224 million extension with the Timberwolves last year, had been linked to the Knicks since his former CAA agent Leon Rose became the team president.

Knicks’ Interest in Karl-Anthony Towns

In April, Heavy Sports’ Sean Deveney reinforced that belief with intel from a league source.

“The interest in making that happen would be mutual, for sure,” one league source told Deveney. “KAT and the Knicks are intertwined. To some people, it is more a matter of when they go after him, not if.”

Deveney’s report was followed by Towns’ sightings in New York — first with Knicks legend Latrell Sprewell partying at a club, then throwing out a ceremonial pitch at a Yankees game — which added more fuel to the rumors.

But according to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks’ interest in the oft-injured, three-time All-Star big man is waning.

“From what I’ve heard from a couple of people in touch with them, they felt the temperature was a little down on the interest in Towns compared to where it was very early on in Leon Rose’s tenure,” Begley said on the May 25 episode of the Hoopshype podcast with host Michael Scotto and fellow guest New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy.

Naz Reid Has Fans in Knicks Organization

If Towns is unavailable, another Timberwolves big man is more attainable for the Knicks.

Naz Reid, who will enter unrestricted free agency, “is a name to keep an eye on if the Knicks move [Mitchell] Robinson or [Isaiah] Hartenstein in a trade,” Begley wrote in his June 16 mailbag.

“…it’s worth noting that Naz Reid has a significant amount of fans within the organization,” Begley added.

Gersson Rosas, the former Minnesota Timberwolves president who signed the undrafted Reid to a two-way contract which he later converted into a four-year, $6.1 million deal, is now with the Knicks and is rumored to succeed outgoing general manager Scott Perry.

Reid is coming off the final season of his bargain deal with the Timberwolves, averaging a career-high 11.5 points per game while shooting 53.7 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from deep on 3.2 attempts. He also grabbed 4.9 rebounds and averaged nearly one block in 18.4 minutes off the bench.

After missing out on three-time All-Star Bradley Beal, the New York Knicks could have another shot at a star trade. This time, a younger All-Star wing who fits the timeline of their core, led by their rising point guard Jalen Brunson, who will turn 27 in August.

Enter Zach LaVine, who the Chicago Bulls have been quietly gauging his trade market, Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported on June 15.

LaVine’s price tag is more expensive than that of Beal, according to NBC Sports’ Bulls insider K.C. Johnson.

“The Bulls, according to league sources, are valuing LaVine highly, as they should. He’s a two-time All-Star who is coming off a season in which he overcame a slow start to average 24.8 points per game on a true shooting percentage of 60.7 percent.

One league source said the Bulls would be focused on getting a good young player, multiple first-round picks and salary filler if they decide to trade LaVine. Another said one first-round pick and an established, high-end player might be sufficiently intriguing,” Johnson wrote.

The Knicks make an attractive trade partner as they fit the first criteria.

They have 10 first-round selections from 2024 through 2029, six of their own and four from other teams with varying protections. They also have multiple good young players starting with RJ Barrett, Sixth Man of the Year finalist Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes. And they have salary fillers from Evan Fournier to Derrick Rose’s expiring salary, which needs to be guaranteed to be included in any potential deal.

Johnson said LaVine is the Bulls’ biggest trade asset and noted that he is one of the two holdovers from the previous regime, the other being Coby White, whose future in Chicago is also in doubt. And with the team approaching the luxury tax territory with limited pathways to dodge it and truly contend, LaVine is their best bet to give them the maximum return.

Knicks’ Interest in Zach LaVine

The Knicks have checked in with the Bulls ahead of the last trade deadline about LaVine, according to SNY’s Knicks insider Ian Begley.

Quickley and Rose were the Knicks players discussed in the casual talks that did not go past the exploratory stage.

“When the Knicks and Bulls talked casually about a potential deal during the season (several weeks before the trade deadline), I was told that some with Chicago had interest in Immanuel Quickley,” Begley wrote in his May 18 SNY mailbag.

“…Derrick Rose was also among the players who were discussed as part of trade packages in those casual conversations between the Knicks and Bulls, per people familiar with the matter.”

LaVine could inject the pull-up shooting that the Knicks desperately need to complement Brunson, whose biggest strength is to put pressure on the rim.

Zach LaVine’s Ties with Knicks

LaVine has strong ties with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, whom he credited for his breakout year in the league during their one season together in Minnesota before he was flipped for Jimmy Butler.

There were no hard feelings. As a matter of fact, LaVine was grateful for the opportunity and Thibodeau’s trust that fueled his growth into a two-time All-Star wing in Chicago.

“Look, I understand the business of basketball,’’ LaVine told the Chicago-Sun Times months before the Knicks hired Thibodeau in 2020. “Yeah, he traded me, but for that one season he did coach me, he gave me an opportunity. He put the ball in the hands of a 20, 21-year-old kid and said, ‘Go hoop.’ That’s bigger than the business of basketball.”

As the dust begins to settle on the 2022-23 season, the New York Knicks will be gearing up for a summer in which they’re connected to every star that’s rumored to be available via trade.

One of the more notable names that has been floated around in recent weeks is New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Zion Williamson. The All-Star-level forward has had a difficult start to life in the NBA, missing more games through injury than he’s actually played.

Nevertheless, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz believes the Knicks could be a potential landing spot for Williamson should the Pelicans decide to cut ties with the beleaguered powerhouse.

“New Orleans has the talent and future draft assets to become a powerhouse in the Western Conference but is continually held hostage by the 22-year-old’s injuries,” Swartz wrote. “Trading him now while there’s still value may be the best path forward, and it’s something the rest of the NBA is watching.” – Swartz then went on to list the Knicks among the ‘best trade landing spots’ for the Duke product.

Williamson played just 29 games for the Pelicans this season. However, he did average 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 60.8% shooting from the field and 36.8% shooting from deep.

Pelicans Looking to Trade Zion Williamson

According to Bill Simmons, who was speaking on a June 18 episode of his The Bill Simmons Podcast, there is some belief around the league that Williamson could be traded before draft night on June 22.

“The Zion thing is a real, real subplot. I had somebody that I trust tell me [Saturday] that he will not be on that [New Orleans Pelicans] team on Thursday. I was like, ‘Really? I haven’t heard that.’ He said, ‘You watch.’ So, there you go on that,” Simmons said.

The reason the Knicks are likely finding themselves in the trade rumors surrounding Williamson is because of their tradeable assets. New York finds itself with multiple young players and a plethora of draft picks at their disposal, making them one of the more likely trade candidates for a star-caliber player.

Toronto Raptors Pinpointed as ‘Sweetspot’

While many around the league believe the Knicks will look to make a splash this offseason, there may not be an ideal superstar trade target. However, according to Eastern Conference Executive, who spoke with Heavy on Sports Sean Deveney, there could be value in targeting some of the Toronto Raptors’ more talented veterans.

“Toronto is where they’re probably going to find some guys who can fit,” The executive said. “OG Anuonoby or Pascal Siakam, when the Raptors really get into talking about those two, that is where the sweet spot probably is for New York.”

As things stand, the Raptors could decide to re-tool their roster rather than rebuild it. Yet, should Toronto decide to hit the reset button, it would make sense for the Knicks to gauge the availability of Siakam and/or Anunoby, as both players could certainly improve New Yorks’ current rotation.

Unfortunately, the Knicks will continue to be linked with every available high-profile player this summer, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a chance of them acquiring some fresh talent. The only question is whether they go star hunting or look to fill some gaps around the edges of the current rotation.

The New York Knicks may have already missed out on the Bradley Beal sweepstakes as he was just recently dealt to the Phoenix Suns, but they still have a full offseason ahead of them to try and strike a long-desired blockbuster.

Jeremy Brener of Fan Nation believes that one route Leon Rose and company could take is pursuing a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans that would land them soon-to-be fifth-year star big man Zion Williamson in exchange for a package headlined by one of their current cornerstones.

The meat of the proposed transaction reads as follows:

New York Knicks receive: Zion Williamson and Garrett Temple

New Orleans Pelicans receive: Julius Randle and Evan Fournier

Deemed as a trade that “works for both sides,” Brener would go on to note that the two reunions between former teammates in Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram with the Pelicans and Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett with the Knicks could prove to be both entertaining and quite beneficial for several reasons.

“Temple’s contract is nonguaranteed for the upcoming season, which means the Knicks can cut ties with him after the trade if they wish with no cost against them. Ironically, this trade would reunite Randle with former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Brandon Ingram while putting Williamson on Barrett’s side once more. Randle also spent the final season of his pre-Knicks career in New Orleans during the 2018-19 campaign. Trading for Williamson is an undoubted [gamble] for the Knicks, especially with the top pick’s injury history (29 games over the last two seasons) but also allows them an opportunity to rid themselves of Fournier’s contract. For the Pelicans, it gives them a fresh start without Williamson and an opportunity to re-tool around Ingram with Randle beside him in the frontcourt,” Brener wrote.

A highly athletic, multi-faceted talent, Zion Williamson has proven to be one of the league’s most menacing players when found on the hardwood. Throughout his four-year career with the Pelicans, the big man has posted sensational averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 60.5% from the field and 34.3% from deep.

Unfortunately, the two-time All-Star has been severely limited since entering the league due to a laundry list of injuries.

During his tenure in the association, Williamson has played in 114 out of a potential total of 308 regular season games and, since signing his lucrative five-year, $194 million extension last summer he has seen just 29 games of action.

Nevertheless, some individuals such as Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley are of the belief that despite the health concerns, pursuing a trade for the 22-year-old could be a risk well worth taking.

Knicks Unlikely To Trade Julius Randle

Despite Brener’s proposal of seeing a swap of Julius Randle for Zion Williams, it seems rather unlikely that the Knicks will be parting ways with their All-NBA power forward any time soon.

At least, that’s what one anonymous NBA executive believes, as they informed Heavy Sports NBA insider Sean Deveney that the 28-year-old’s value on the trade market is seemingly too low for New York’s front office to cash in on.

“They are not in position to trade Randle because there’s no way to get value for him,” the executive said. “They have found a way to get him to be really productive with what they do. But that does not really translate to a lot of other teams. So that is always going to work against them if they were to move him. But they have not had those conversations in a long time, and he has three years left on the contract (the third year is a player option) so it is something where he is not going anywhere for a while.”

Julius Randle finds himself coming off of arguably his best season in the NBA, as he went on to post impressive per-game averages of 25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting.

However, despite these top-flight numbers and the fact that he’s a two-time All-Star, the exec suggests that the league does not view him as a name worthy of going all in on a trade for.

Knicks Urged to Talk Trade With Raptors

In a recent sit-down with Sean Deveney, an Eastern Conference Executive made the bold claim that the Knicks should strongly consider looking toward the Toronto Raptors as a potential trade partner this summer, suggesting that there are specific talents on the roster that could be available for the taking.

“Toronto is where they’re probably going to find some guys who can fit,” The executive said. “OG Anuonoby or Pascal Siakam, when the Raptors really get into talking about those two, that is where the sweet spot probably is for New York.”

Despite this, however, NBA correspondent Marc Stein recently shared intel from league sources that Toronto still has a “strong reluctance” to part ways with some of their current foundational players, namely Anunoby.

After missing out on the Bradley Beal sweepstakes, oddsmakers remain convinced that the New York Knicks could get their star.

Could that star be Zion Williamson?

The Knicks have the third-best odds (+750 — 11.8% implied probability) to land Williamson via trade, according to bookies.com.

The Portland Trail Blazers, who own the No. 3 pick of this year’s draft are +250 — a 28.6% chance of netting Williamson on a Draft Night trade. The Charlotte Hornets, owners of the No. 2 pick, are +450 — an 18.2% implied probability.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons said on his podcast on Sunday that Williamson could be moved.

“The Zion thing is a real, real subplot. I had somebody that I trust tell me [Saturday] that he will not be on that [New Orleans Pelicans] team on Thursday. I was like, ‘Really? I haven’t heard that.’ He said, ‘You watch.’ So, there you go on that,” Simmons said on the June 18 episode of The Bill Simmons podcast.

The Hornets prefer Brandon Ingram instead of Williamson, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, in a potential trade to acquire projected top-3 pick Scoot Henderson.

So how will the Knicks land Williamson if they do not have a pick in this year’s draft?

Zach Buckley of the Bleacher Report suggested the Knicks should grease a three-team trade that would land them Williamson; Pelicans get Henderson and a hefty package for the Hornets or Trail Blazers.

“The Knicks, of course, don’t have a top-three pick to dangle, so how could they enter the Williamson sweepstakes? By potentially connecting the dots in a three-team trade. Maybe the teams with top-three picks don’t want all the health risks tied to the 22-year-old.

Perhaps they’d prefer a package from New York built around some combination of RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes and a pile of future first-round picks.

If the Knicks could grease the gears of a multi-team trade that finally brings Williamson to the Big Apple, they should be all over it,” Buckley wrote.

It has been well-documented that Williamson loves New York and his favorite arena is the Madison Square Garden and how the Knicks tanked in 2019 in their hopes of winning the Williamson lottery.

Julius Randle to Be Knicks’ Sacrificial Lamb?

The Knicks’ pursuit of a top-tier star could cost them one of the foundational pieces of their resurgence.

SNY’s Knicks insider Ian Begley believes it will be Julius Randle.

“As noted in the [June 15 The Putback] episode, if the Knicks make a trade for a top player, it seems like they would have to move either [RJ] Barrett or Julius Randle to make it work. If I had to guess, I’d think Barrett’s playoff performance bolsters the odds that he remains in New York in that Randle-or-Barrett scenario,” Begley wrote in his June 16 SNY’s Mailbag.

Naz Reid Linked to Knicks

Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid, who is set to hit unrestricted free agency, “is a name to keep an eye on if the Knicks move [Mitchell] Robinson or [Isaiah] Hartenstein in a trade,” according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

“…it’s worth noting that Naz Reid has a significant amount of fans within the organization,” Begley added.

Now it can be told.

The New York Knicks tried but failed to get into the Bradley Beal sweepstakes.

“Other teams made their pitches. The Knicks were in heavy for a while. Boston kicked the tires. The Bucks made a move late. The Kings made inquiries, but were unwilling to include Keegan Murray, their first-round pick from last year, whom the Wizards had tried to move up to select in the ’22 draft, in a potential trade. But all of those teams wanted to attach bad contracts to their offers,” The Athletic’s David Aldridge wrote.

It was unclear which bad contract the Knicks have offered.

Ultimately, Beal, armed with his no-trade clause, chose to build a new superteam with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, not with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, shattering the notion that the Knicks have become a star destination following their resurgence under Tom Thibodeau, the least favorite coach in the NBA according to an April poll by The Athletic.

The Knicks’ interest in Beal was first reported by Fred Katz of The Athletic three days ago, the first concrete reporting since rumors started in 2021 when Michael Kay said that senior team advisor and executive vice president William Wesley was working through backchannels to bring Beal to New York.

Bradley Beal’s Trade Could Cost Knicks Pick

The Beal trade signaled a reset button for the Wizards, which means one of the Knicks’ protected first-round picks might not convey.

The Wizards’ pick, which the Knicks received from a multi-protected-first-round pick package from the Oklahoma City Thunder — via the Ousmane Dieng Draft Night trade as part of the salary cap-clearing series of deals that landed them Jalen Brunson — is top-12 protected next year and top-10 protected in 2025. It will be a top-8 protected in 2026, and if the Wizards retain that pick, it will turn into a pair of second-round picks (2026 and 2027).

With the Wizards pick having a diminished value, the Knicks are left with six tradable unprotected first-round picks (2024 to 2029) and three protected first-round picks (2024 top-14 protected via Denver, 2024 top-18 protected via Detroit and 2025 top-4 protected pick via Milwaukee) to work with in future star trades.

Is Zach LaVine the Next Star to Become Available?

Chicago Bulls‘ two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine, who has four years left on his $215 million, five-year deal, could also hit the trade market, according to Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer.

“Wishful executives will keep their eyes peeled on Portland and Damian Lillard, but it’s the Chicago Bulls who have started contacting teams, quietly gauging the trade interest in Zach LaVine, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Fischer wrote.

The Knicks have previously checked in with the Bulls regarding LaVine at the February trade deadline, and the names of Immanuel Quickley and veteran Derrick Rose came up, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

“When the Knicks and Bulls talked casually about a potential deal during the season (several weeks before the trade deadline), I was told that some with Chicago had interest in Immanuel Quickley,” Begley wrote in his May 18 SNY mailbag.

“…Derrick Rose was also among the players who were discussed as part of trade packages in those casual conversations between the Knicks and Bulls, per people familiar with the matter.”

According to Fischer, LaVine’s price point will be steeper than Beal’s.

Sunday’s Bradley Beal blockbuster trade was a double whammy for the New York Knicks.

Not only did they miss out on acquiring a star, but it also lessened the chance of the Washington Wizards‘ protected first-round pick they possessed from parlaying in the next three NBA Drafts. Hence, diminishing the value of that pick further, denting the Knicks’ ability to use that as a trade chip.

The Beal trade signaled a reset button for the Wizards, making them a prime candidate to become a high-lottery team in the immediate future.

The Wizards’ pick, which the Knicks received from a multi-protected-first-round pick package from the Oklahoma City Thunder — via the Ousmane Dieng Draft Night trade as part of the salary cap-clearing series of deals that landed them Jalen Brunson — is top-12 protected next year and top-10 protected in 2025. It will be a top-8 protected in 2026, and if the Wizards retain that pick, it will turn into a pair of second-round picks (2026 and 2027).

Rebuilding takes years.

Just look at Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets, who have become a constant in the top five of the lottery over the last few years.

The Wizards are about to go through that rabbit hole.

And the Knicks’ draft capital is about to get a hit.

Minus the Wizards pick, the Knicks still have six tradable unprotected first-round picks (2024 to 2029) and three protected first-round picks (2024 top-14 protected via Denver, 2024 top-18 protected via Detroit and 2025 top-4 protected pick via Milwaukee).

Bradley Beal’s Underwhelming Package Stuns Josh Hart

Josh Hart voiced what everyone thought about the underwhelming package the Wizards received in exchange for their franchise star.

“They didn’t get a single 1st [round pick??,” Josh Hart tweeted.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Wizards would receive a package of Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps.

The Knicks could have easily topped the Suns or even Heat’s offer, but they were never given a chance due to Beal’s no-trade clause.

Despite the Knicks’ interest, as The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported, they were never in the mix of Beal’s preferred destination.

Beal’s no-trade clause dramatically clipped the draft asset-rich Knicks’ advantage over the field as the three-time All-Star chose to team up with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker to contend in the West.

What’s Next for the Knicks?

The Knicks can always run it back, betting on the internal growth of their current team, which came two wins away from punching a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.

But if a star becomes available, the Knicks are widely expected to be one of the frontrunners now that Beal, who has the only no-trade clause among all active NBA players, is already off the board.

The Knicks can wield their advantage — the combination of multiple first-round picks,  expiring contracts and young players on the rise.

There are still a handful of stars who could hit the trade market, such as Zach LaVine, who the Chicago Bulls are quietly gauging his trade market, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, Zion Williamson, who is being considered as trade bait for the New Orleans Pelicans to move up in the draft, according to Marc Stein, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who could become the casualty of the new punitive CBA for top-spending teams like Minnesota, according to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus.

Though the New York Knicks may have been linked as a realistic landing spot for star guard Bradley Beal this summer, it was the Phoenix Suns that ultimately wound up winning the sweepstakes as they struck a deal to acquire the veteran on June 15.

To Josh Hart’s surprise, however, the package it took to land the tantalizing scorer involved minimal draft compensation being sent back to the Washington Wizards, as he called out the exchange on his personal Twitter page for not involving a single first-round selection.

“They didn’t get a single 1st rd pick??,” Josh Hart tweeted.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the trade details involve Bradley Beal being shipped out to the Suns while the Wizards receive a return package of Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps.

Josh Hart’s questioning of the lacking first-round draft capital is certainly justifiable, as the Knicks were mainly deemed as a viable trade destination for the All-Star due to draft picks they could have potentially shelled out, which includes the rights to a total of seven first-rounders through 2026.

What Stars Will Knicks Look to Now?

With Bradley Beal no longer a trade option for the Knicks this summer, fans and media pundits alike are now left wondering what other options the franchise could turn their attention toward should they be hell-bent on making a splash.

Of course, the most noteworthy of names rumored to possibly become available is Portland Trail Blazers superstar guard Damian Lillard, who ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has already implored Leon Rose and company to pursue.

Another star player that has been linked to the Knicks on numerous occasions this offseason is Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who is a player one Eastern Conference executive told Heavy Sports’ Sean Deveney “everyone knows” the franchise has an interest in.

Knicks Urged to Part With Tom Thibodeau

Earlier this week, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith discussed the future of the Knicks organization, and, surprisingly, suggested that 2023-24 should be the club’s final year with Tom Thibodeau running the show on the sidelines.

“I believe this should be Tom Thibodeau’s last year in New York,” Smith said on the June 16 episode of ESPN’s First Take. “I’m not saying he’s not a great coach. Okay, I’m not saying he can’t coach. I’m not saying he did anything wrong, even though some would argue he’s no Erik Spoelstra, he’s no Steve Kerr, and he’s no Ty Lue. He’s [expletive] ain’t even Dravin Ham right now, who makes adjustments, okay?”

Smith would continue on by suggesting that of all the aforementioned coaches, current Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue could prove to be his ideal replacement.

“You know, he gets married to what he sees in the film room. But if something like [Williamson trade] happens, I would tell you I would look for the next — this should be Tom Thibodeau’s last season. Thank him, let him go somewhere else… and you get Ty Lue from the Los Angeles [Clippers].”

Since joining on to serve as the head coach of the Knicks back in 2020, Thibodeau has accumulated a record of 125-111 and has guided the club to two postseason appearances, all while winning the NBA Coach of the Year award back in 2021 and finishing eighth in the running for the award this season.

Ever since it was reported that the Washington Wizards were mulling over the idea of a full-fledged rebuild, the New York Knicks have oft been linked as a potential trade partner for several of their players, specifically star guard Bradley Beal.

Recently, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey concocted what he considers a “realistic” trade scenario that could end up sending the veteran to the Big Apple this summer.

The hypothetical exchange reads as follows:

New York Knicks receive: Bradley Beal

Washington Wizards receive: RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, and a 2024 first-round pick

In Bailey’s eyes, the Knicks should strongly consider the idea of parting ways with former third-overall pick RJ Barrett this summer, as he’s proven to be rather inefficient with this new-look squad, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

“There’s certainly some untapped potential from RJ Barrett, but the Knicks are minus-1.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor during his career (compared to plus-3.9 without him). For four years, his shooting has been dreadful, and replacing him with Beal in that starting five would be a short-term upgrade. Prior to this season, that kind of thinking may have seemed short-sighted, but the addition and breakout of Jalen Brunson sort of changes the calculus for New York,” Bailey wrote.

Without question, Bradley Beal would be an immense upgrade in the offensive department for New York.

A three-time All-Star, the 29-year-old could be argued as being the best backcourt scoring option in the association when healthy, as he’s averaged a whopping 27.6 points on 47.4% shooting from the field over the last four seasons while averaging over 30 points twice during this span.

Adding him to a rotation already consisting of Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson would not only give the Knicks a third go-to trusty scoring option but also would finally land them the top-billed star talent that SNY’s Ian Begley suggests James Dolan ultimately hired president Leon Rose to get.

RJ Barrett Would Have Fresh Start With Wizards

Though Andy Bailey was quick to point out his struggles throughout his four-year tenure with the Knicks, he would go on to note in his piece that RJ Barrett has also shown flashes of being a quality building block at the next level and, if he were to be dealt in such a hypothetical exchange, the Wizards should be excited about his upside potential.

“For Washington, this deal gets them a first-rounder for a player whose salary will scare most teams off. Barrett, despite the concerning numbers, can still develop into a useful two-way player,” Bailey wrote.

Despite his shooting woes, RJ Barrett is coming off of quite an impressive statistical season. Seeing 73 games of action, the wing went on to post solid averages of 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.

He would also see a near month-long stretch under the bright lights of the postseason where he upped his production considerably, as he found himself posting sensational averages of 21.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 35.8% from deep from April 18 through May 10.

The Knicks went 5-3 during this period.

Knicks Have ‘Richest Offer’ for Bradley Beal

RJ Barrett may be a popular name mentioned in hypothetical Bradley Beal-to-Knicks trade packages, but the front office has far more than just the 22-year-old to dangle in Washington’s direction.

In fact, Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer recently went on record to argue that of all teams that could pursue the star guard, New York could prove to have the best offer, at least from a draft capital perspective.

“To be clear: There’s no indication yet from league personnel that New York is going to seriously pursue Beal. But if the Knicks, as an example, could part with Julius Randle and Evan Fournier plus a package of first-round picks, that might be Washington’s best path to the richest offer in draft compensation,” Fischer wrote.

The Knicks may not currently have a pick in this coming draft, but they hold the rights to seven total first-rounders through 2026, including a Wizards’ (protected 1-12 in 2024, 1-10 in 2025, and 1-8 in 2026), which turns into an2026 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick if it doesn’t convey.

The New York Knicks have stockpiled picks hoping to parlay them into a top-tier star. But the big question is, who among their top-paid players, minus Jalen Brunson — who played his way into becoming the new face of the franchise –will be let go when the right star becomes available?

SNY’s Knicks insider Ian Begley believes it will be Julius Randle.

“As noted in the [June 15 The Putback] episode, if the Knicks make a trade for a top player, it seems like they would have to move either [RJ] Barrett or Julius Randle to make it work. If I had to guess, I’d think Barrett’s playoff performance bolsters the odds that he remains in New York in that Randle-or-Barrett scenario,” Begley wrote in his June 16 SNY’s Mailbag.

RJ Barrett Outplays Julius Randle in the Playoffs

Barrett bounced back with aplomb after a shaky start in the first two games of the opening round against the Cleveland Cavaliers in this year’s playoffs. Barrett, who turned 23 last June 14, finished his second postseason run with 19.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 43.3% field goal shooting and went to the line 5.9 per game, sinking a respectable 76.9%. His 3-point shooting — 32.8% — was dramatically impacted by his 1-of-8 shooting in Games 1 and 2 against Cleveland and 0-for-3 shooting in Game 6 against Miami.

Minus those three playoff duds, Barrett would have averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists on 49.6% field goal shooting and 38% from deep.

Randle was outstanding in the regular season, averaging a career-best 25.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 45.9% shooting and 34.3% from deep on a career-high 8.3 attempts. But in the playoffs, Randle was again a flop, much like in 2021. His scoring and shooting numbers dramatically went down to 17.1 points on 34.4% overall shooting and 28.3% from behind the arc.

But to be fair, Randle was bothered by a left ankle injury.

In the regular season, Barrett put up 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 43/31/74 shooting split while adjusting to a new role behind Brunson and Randle.

RJ Barrett Over Jordan Poole and Tyler Herro

Despite a challenging fourth season, Barrett’s promising numbers prompted ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks to put him above his draft classmates — Golden State’s Jordan Poole ($128 million, four years) and Miami’s Tyler Herro ($120 million, four years) — who signed more lucrative rookie extensions than him. Barrett was signed to a $107 million, four-year deal that could go up to $120 million if he hits all incentives.

“Out of the extensions that were last year, whether it be Jordan Poole, Tyler Herro or RJ Barrett, I think the Barrett number is the best value out of those three,” Marks said on the June 15 episode of The Putback. “…. He’s a big wing; you never really want to give up on young players like that.”

“Certainly, I want to see that 31 percent number jump up to 37. You get that up to 37, 38. Four-three up to 45 percent. As long as things are moving in the right direction, he’s got a lot of value – not just to the Knicks but throughout the league. I wouldn’t put him (as an) untouchable. But if you’re looking at this roster with Jalen (Brunson), RJ, (Immanuel) Quickley, (Quentin) Grimes, those are your kind of cornerstone guys to build around.”

After a successful 2022-23 NBA season, the pressure is on the New York Knicks to continue building toward championship contention.

For the Knicks, that means finding potential trades to upgrade the current rotation, making smart additions in free agency, and negotiating contract extensions with key contributors such as Josh Hart.

According to an Eastern Conference Executive who spoke with Heavy on Sports Sean Deveney, the Knicks should look toward the Toronto Raptors as potential trade partners, with OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam mentioned as solid fits.

“Toronto is where they’re probably going to find some guys who can fit,” The executive said. “OG Anuonoby or Pascal Siakam, when the Raptors really get into talking about those two, that is where the sweet spot probably is for New York.”

Currently, there is no telling whether the Raptors are going to lean into a roster rebuild or decide to re-tool around their current core of Anunoby, Siakam, and Scottie Barnes. Yet, should Masai Ujiri decide to his the reset button on Toronto’s roster, the Knicks would likely be one of the first teams to pick up the phone and start gauging interest on potential deals.

Free Agent Big Man ‘Has Interest’ From Knicks

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the New York Knicks have some interest in free agent big man Naz Reid after his contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves expired following the completion of the 2022-23 season.

“The Knicks have three centers under contract at the moment,” Begley wrote on June 16. “So it doesn’t seem like they would have interest in any big men on the market. But it’s worth noting that Naz Reid has a significant amount of fans within the organization.”

However, should the Knicks look to firm up their interest in Reid, the team would likely need to move on from one of their current centers, as Tom Thibodeau already has three big men to choose from on his roster.

“Knicks big men Mitchell Robinson, Isaiah HartensteinandJericho Simsare all under contract,” Begley added. “So New York currently has no room for a free agent center. But Reid is a name to keep an eye on if the Knicks move Robinson or Hartenstein in a trade.”

Reid is an unrestricted free agent, so is free to talk with any team in the league and can sign anywhere without the Timberwolves having the option to match an offer sheet.

Knicks Could Have Best Bradley Beal Trade Package

According to Yahoo Sports Jake Fischer, the New York Knicks could offer one of the strongest trade packages should they decide to pursue Bradley Beal, who was recently allowed to open dialogues with teams by the Washington Wizards.

“To be clear: There’s no indication yet from league personnel that New York is going to seriously pursue Beal. But if the Knicks, as an example, could part with Julius Randle and Evan Fournier plus a package of first-round picks, that might be Washington’s best path to the richest offer in draft compensation,” Fischer wrote.

Tom Thibodeau has been the most successful New York Knicks coach over the last two decades, guiding them to two playoff appearances and one series win in his first three seasons following a seven-year drought.

But even such success in the championship-starved “Mecca of Basketball” is not enough for ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith to ask the Knicks to replace Thibodeau for a younger but championship-savvy coach, especially if they can trade for former No.1 pick Zion Williamson, who is rumored to be available.

“I believe this should be Tom Thibodeau’s last year in New York,” Smith said on the June 16 episode of ESPN’s First Take. “I’m not saying he’s not a great coach. Okay, I’m not saying he can’t coach. I’m not saying he did anything wrong, even though some would argue he’s no Erik Spoelstra, he’s no Steve Kerr, and he’s no Ty Lue. He’s [expletive] ain’t even Dravin Ham right now, who makes adjustments, okay?”

“You know, he gets married to what he sees in the film room. But if something like [Williamson trade] happens, I would tell you I would look for the next — this should be Tom Thibodeau’s last season. Thank him, let him go somewhere else… and you get Ty Lue from the Los Angeles [Clippers].”

No Extension for Ty Lue

A few hours after Smith’s cry for a coaching change in New York, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report broke out that Lue and the Clippers “are unlikely to agree to an extension this offseason.”

Lue, 46, could become the most prominent free-agent coach after next season. He has two years left on his deal, with the final year a team option.

On the other hand, Thibodeau, 65, is entering the fourth season of a five-year deal with the Knicks.

“I think Ty Lue should want out of [the Clippers]. And I think he should want to coach where players are gonna be available to play,” Stephen A. Smith added on the June 16 episode of ESPN’s First Take. “And to me, if I’m the New York Knicks, as much as I respect Tom Thibodeau, and I’m not calling for his firing as much as I’m calling from moving away and let him start to do his time and then go somewhere else to coach because he should be a head coach in this league, it’s not about Tom Thibodeau.”

“I think Ty Lue is one of the great coaches — a top two coach in the NBA right now. And if the New York Knickerbockers are looking into the future, I think a coach that I believe is better than Tom Thibodeau, that’s 19 years younger, is somebody they should pursue.”

Ty Lue’s Championship Pedigree

As a rookie coach in 2016, Lue guided the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, to the greatest NBA Finals comeback in history, disrupting the Golden State Warriors dynasty. It was Cleveland’s and Lue’s first and only NBA championship so far.

The following season, Lue coached the Cavaliers to a 12-1 postseason mark before losing to the Warriors in five games in the finals rematch.

Known for his in-game adjustments, Lue succeeded Doc Rivers as the Clippers coach after blowing a 3-1 series lead in the Orlando Bubble to the Denver Nuggets.

Lue immediately guided the Clippers to the Western Conference Finals but lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games with Kawhi Leonard out with an injury.

Leonard and Paul George‘s injuries again hampered their campaign this past season, ending in a first-round loss.

In May, former Sports Illustrated’s NBA writer Howard Beck reported about the rumblings that Lue “might be getting impatient with the situation there [with Clippers].”

“It’s been wearing on him that he never has his stars available,” Beck said on the Locked on NBA podcast.

The New York Knicks may seem to finally have their long-awaited franchise point guard in tow in the likes of Jalen Brunson, but this is not to say that they won’t continue to bolster the position should a top-flight talent become available.

At least, that’s what the oddsmakers seem to believe, as Betonline.ag has the franchise boasting the best odds (+200) of becoming the next employer of legendary point guard Russell Westbrook should he depart from the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason.

After having somewhat of a mid-season resurgence following his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Utah Jazz, followed by his subsequent release, the nine-time All-Star is slated to hit free agency.

Though all signs point to Los Angeles wanting him to return, recent rumblings suggest that they’ll be looking for him to take a “hometown discount,” which could have him searching for proverbial greener options.

The Knicks would be able to offer significantly more than the cash-strapped Clips, even with just their $12 million non-taxpayer exception.

Through 21 games played with the Clippers, Russell Westbrook went on to post impressive per-game averages of 15.8 points, 7.6 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and half a block while shooting 48.9% shooting from the floor and 35.6% from deep.

He would go to step up his game virtually all across the board under the bright lights of the playoffs, as he would boast averages of 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 41.0% from the field and 35.7% from the field.

Jalen Brunson Receives Drug Test Request

As noted, though they may have the best odds to land Russell Westbrook this summer should he leave the Clippers, it appears the Knicks already have their solution to their long-time point guard woes in Jalen Brunson.

Putting forth a tremendous inaugural campaign with the franchise in 2022-23, many fans and media pundits alike feel as though the door has been officially closed on the club’s decades-long search for a trusty talent to slot in at the one that, frankly, has spanned since the days of Walt Frazier.

However, though the franchise’s faithful followers are all elated with Brunson’s play, it appears the league seems to have some underlying questions regarding it, as the 26-year-old revealed via Twitter that the league had requested him to take a drug test less than a day after the Denver Nuggets capped off their season with the club’s first championship.

Jalen Brunson finished his season off with the Knicks sporting highly impressive per-game averages of 24.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.6% from deep.

Knicks ‘Let Necessary People Know’ of Bradley Beal Interest

As is the case with virtually every big name rumored to be available on the trade market, since it was revealed that the Washington Wizards could be open to moving on from Bradley Beal this summer, the Knicks have been listed as a viable landing spot for his services.

However, since this news broke, The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported that New York has already expressed their interest in trading for the All-Star guard should he officially hit the trade market.

“The Knicks have thought about Beal for longer than just this week. According to a league source close to the situation, New York’s front office has already let necessary people know the team would be interested in the former All-NBA guard if he were to become available,” Katz wrote.

In a hypothetical pursuit of Bradley Beal, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer believes that the Knicks could offer up “the richest offer” in Washington’s direction, at least when it comes to draft capital.