When Should the Knicks Trade for a Star?

Knicks have been stargazing for awhile but when will it end?

Ever since I can remember, I’ve wondered when would the Knicks finally pull off a star trade. It’s New York, one of the biggest markets to play in the National Basketball Association. Fast forward to February 22nd, 2011 - the Knicks pulled the trigger and got Carmelo Anthony, a superstar who could change the franchise.

While some might argue there were other trades that could have been as impactful, Carmelo changed the stigma of not a single “star” player wanting to play at Madison Square Garden. There have been many arguments whether New York gave up too much but has anyone ever comprehended the real price of a superstar?

The Knickerbockers have been stockpiling draft picks for years now, in order to insert themselves into the conversation. Is a star player not happy on his team? Here come the Knick rumors.

Now let’s take a look at this offseason: Paul George. Zach LaVine. James Harden. Joel Embiid. Those are just some of the players included in the Knicks trade rumors.

Is trading away RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, and Evan Fournier, 3-4 first-round picks for a player like Paul George going to net them a championship? In my opinion, not at all. Especially considering that George apparently wants a $220 million dollar contract extension, as Anita Marks has reported.

Now let’s look at Zach LaVine. The Bulls wanted a good young player (most likely would be RJ Barrett), multiple first-round picks (NY has two first-round picks in next year’s draft), and a salary filler (Evan Fournier). The Knicks tax is real. For some reason, teams want to make the Knicks look foolish and reset the market of what a star should be traded for. There is also a whole Klutch vs. CAA conversation but let’s leave that aside for now. In all honesty, I would much rather have RJ Barrett than Zach LaVine because that Bulls team is imploding minute by minute and I wonder who would be willing to pay such a steep price for the former UCLA Bruin.

James Harden? He just does not fit with the Knicks in the slightest. Can you imagine a Jalen Brunson/James Harden backcourt? Yeah, me neither. Again, also you are dealing with a feisty general manager who is sure to want a haul-back for a player who is disgruntled and wants to go somewhere else. You would think between Houston, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia, he would have found a home in which he could spend the rest of his career.

Let’s talk about the most likely prospect the Knicks could wind up trading a motherlode for. A former client of Knicks President Leon Rose, Joel Embiid certainly seems to have his eye on the Knicks. The Knicks would probably have to give up RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Mr. Untouchable aka Quentin Grimes, and multiple first-round picks. While the rumors just started this year I expect them to continue even into next offseason. Would Daryl Morey trade in the division? In the East? Only time will tell.

The Knicks should not trade all of their assets for a single player that will not bring them a championship. Keep bringing on the rumors, and how the Knicks are interested. While some might say the Knicks are just window shopping, I see no problem with it. You don’t punt on the last two drafts if you aren’t ready for a star trade right now. If I were the Knicks general manager, I would be waiting for the right star player to become available. Someone will bring us a championship in the next couple of years and give up all draft assets plus valuable young players.

I believe in this offseason the best move the Knicks made was to not make a move.