Would the Knicks consider a reunion with Kristaps Porzingis this summer? The Wizards‘ big man, who was drafted by New York in 2015, is one of several names floated by Steve Popper of Newsday as possible targets in the team’s search for another star.
Porzingis was once considered a future franchise player in New York, but his relationship with the front office soured after he suffered a torn ACL in 2018. He eventually demanded a trade, but Popper notes that everyone involved with that past bitterness is now gone from the organization and both sides may benefit from a return. Popper sees Porzingis as a potential replacement for Mitchell Robinson, adding that he has the outside shooting touch to open up the lane for his teammates.
Porzingis was reported to be discussing an extension with Washington in March, but if he doesn’t come to terms, he’ll have a decision to make on his $36MM player option for next year. New York doesn’t have the cap space to sign him as a free agent, but it could offer a package of young talent and draft assets that the Wizards might find tempting.
There’s more from New York:
- There have been rumors since midseason that Sixers center Joel Embiid will be the Knicks’ No. 1 target if he asks for a trade, tweets Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. There haven’t been any public indications that Embiid is unhappy in Philadelphia, but Bondy suggests the situation is worth monitoring in light of the team’s second-round playoff exit, the firing of Doc Rivers and James Harden‘s potential move back to Houston.
- The Knicks could benefit from an active trade market this summer, ESPN’s Bobby Marks says in a conversation with New York reporters, including Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Marks believes many teams will be trying to unload pricey contracts to escape the restrictions of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, so more talent than usual could be on the move. Marks believes only the Thunder and maybe the Jazz are in a similar position to put together a trade package to land a star.
- Immanuel Quickley is eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer, but he’s also likely to be sought after in any major trade the Knicks pursue, Begley adds in a mailbag column. Begley states that Quickley’s name was mentioned in informal talks with the Bulls before the trade deadline, but his value has likely risen after finishing second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting.
No way KP comes back. And i hope he doensn’t. My target this offseason would be PG13. Two way wing who could teach or replace RJ
George hasn’t played more than 56 games in a season over the last four years. I suppose he could have played 58 during 2019 if the season wasn’t shortened in the bubble, but the point still stands that his availability should be a major concern (and probably a deterrent). I’m not sure the Knicks should trade away the assets it would take to land him considering his recent health track record.
I think it’s a moot point anyway because I don’t see Ballmer approving a rebuild.
No way joel goes to NY pipe dream
If the 76ers trade him, he goes west coast. Just a hunch.
Or Miami
No. Mitch gets hurt enough. He’s no KP6 in that regard, but he does his best.
No way in hell the Sixers trade Embid to the Knicks. If there comes a time that he asks for a trade (don’t think that is any time soon), the Sixers aren’t trading him to a rival. They’d probably look to move him out west
KP is not wanted in NY. Only Poole is more overrated. DeRozan is the guy we should be after. And Randle should be shopped. Send his drama back home. Where he should be happier. Good riddance Bye …
Randle, Fournier, to Mavs
Wood, Bertans, Bullock to Knicks
DeRozan to the Knicks ….
Quickley, Rose, Mitch, #1 pick to Bulls
The Bulls should accept that trade, it feels massive needs while splitting the redundancy that is Demar/Zach…I’ve rarely complimented a fan trade idea on here, but that is solid, almost feel like the bulls should offer something else too like javonte green bird rights or Drummonds 3 mil option as a not completely awful backup….but knowing the bulls they will probably have a press conference about the importance of continuity and be a 38 and 44 team again
Vucevic is a big decision for them. Ball is also a big question mark. We all know Rose deserves to end his career in Chicago. Plus he is still a solid backup.
I’m willing to overpay a little. Cause he’s a bucket to me. He’s clutch. We need that
Two of our youngest promising players AND a #1 pick for a 34 year old wing who is yet another player who can’t hit 3s? Bulls would jump on that in a second. I guess I’d be ok with it if you took Mitch out of the equation.
The Randle trade makes zero sense unless you are just trying to unload him which makes no sense to me. And you are adding Wood who seems to have many low motor issues that would not endear him to the NY crowd.
“Randle, Fournier, to Mavs
Wood, Bertans, Bullock to Knicks”
This would make the Knicks so, so much worse. Is this a serious proposal? Christian Wood is a role player who has never made the playoffs. Bertans is awful and has one of the worst contracts in the league. Bullock is a bench piece. I get the impulse to trade Randle but this is a horrible deal.
They’d be really bad. Wood needs GPS to find the defensive end of the court and Bertrans is only on the court to scare other players after being accused of looking like Terrifier the Clown.
It’s gotten to the point where even the Knicks media sounds stupid not just the owners or some occasional fans.
Bring back KP? Really….
I’m not a Knicks fan, but I have watched a couple games this year. One of the obviously things you notice is that the Knicks play hard and work hard. Mitchell Robinson is the embodiment of that. He works hard continuously contesting shots, grabbing rebounds, getting out and running in transition. The reason you got past the Cavs was cause he out worked Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. KP isn’t that guy and doesn’t play like that at all. He’s a floor spacing PF who with his height often gets throw into the 5 spot but doesn’t have the motor or physicality. He can open up the floor unlike Mitch but that’ll cost your team second chance points, offensive rebounds, easy looks under the rim and lobs, all of which Mitch provides.
KP is that lucrative sort of player that no team NEEDs but all teams kinda wish they had. Because of his salary, it makes it really difficult to have him on your side and you still be successful.
It’s pretty obvious the Knicks want to add a big name to go with what they already have. Which makes sense. You have Brunson and Randle two all star level talents and then there’s a fall off to the rest of the roster and when you go into the playoffs 2 all stars isn’t enough against teams with multiple all NBA calibre players. However you can’t just pick a name out of a hat. Think about what you need, who could be available, how would they fit, how does it set the team up for the future…
I know it might sound incredibly unrealistic after everything I’ve said but Kawhi Leonard.
When fit, top 10 in the league, elite two way player, has something to prove, kinda needs to play with a good point guard, loves to be physical. Think he’d be perfect for this team but getting a deal done would be incredibly difficult.
LA might lose Tyron Lue, they have failed to do anything in the playoffs year after year after year. Both Kawhi and PG have player options and could leave for nothing next offseason. So whatever package you make it’ll have to blow off the socks of the clippers front office.
RJ Barrett, Evan Fouriner, Obi Toppin and 2024 Washington 1st, 2024 Pistons 1st, 2024 Pistons 2nd, 2025 Knicks 1st, 2025 Bucks 1st, 2025 Pistons 2nd and 2026 Knicks 2nd.
In the end, 4 first round picks, 3 second round picks plus RJ, Fouriner and Obi for Kawhi.
Plus you have whatever money made by letting DRose leave which should be enough to build out the bench. I’d go for fellow New Balance athlete, Darius Bazley and veterans John Wall and Serge Ibaka.
Knicks then line up
Brunson Grimes Leonard Randle Robinson
Wall Quickly Hart Bazley Hartenstein
McBride Sims
That’s a side capable of competing for a title, that looks cohesive and that could work.
Clippers should blow it up, but I can’t see Ballmer approving a teardown. My expectation is that both Kawhi and George stay put.
Agree I can’t see it happened but it should.
Save money not paying Lue. Kawhi and PG both have player options and could leave for nothing. That would set the franchise back a decade
You get back a haul for Kawhi then you should immediately look to move PG for a similar package. Put all the vets up for offers on the trade block.
You’d already have Bones, Mann and Boston to start a rebuild with. Add RJ and Obi that’s a good start. Get a couple more youngster and a couple more picks then your looking solid.
They just want numbers. All click bait.
NBA writers are very funny with their articles about “team x should look into trading for player y if team z wants to trade them” when we darn well know said team does NOT want to trade said player.
Reads like someone needs a paycheck…
None of that is more than speculation…
But hey they got to eat right?
NY needs to Make a trade to get better but they have some players that can get better internally. The Heat looks like a team of destiny this year. DeRozan is a viable target if the Bulls decide to rebuild.
Haha, Thibs wanting KP, that’s funny.
Why?
“but Popper notes that everyone involved with that past bitterness is now gone from the organization”
I guess Popper is forgetting about James Dolan?
The Sixers can reload
If Harden runs away to the Rockets so be it
I would have a full court press to sign Kyrie Irving for a 1 Year 30 million dollar deal
I would like to see Irving and Maxey in the same backcourt and give Embidd another shot for a Championship as a Sixer
Harden leaves, Sixers have no cap to just sign Kyrie. Its Harde, Maxey, and Tobias for Kyrie. Dallas can just resign Kyrie.
Nobody is unloading any one pricey in any trades. No one will be biting. Most teams are going to be forced to just stretch and waive in an effort to get ready for a major paradigm shift.
Mortal shock is going to hit the GM’s when they figure out what I know now. They aren’t the only ones.
Said waived will get one year contracts somewhere and be right back in the market the next year.
The LAST thing you woulda want to do now is stretch and waive anyone
What the hell kind of package could the Knicks put together to entice the Sixers to trade Embiid to them? Get real!!!
If Embiid demands a trade, NY has the best mix of veterans, youngsters, and picks to offer. Something like Randle, Robinson, Grimes, and a s**t ton of firsts.
But that’s only if he asks out. Otherwise, no chance, obviously.
The 76ers aren’t trading Embiid. No MVP has ever been traded that season. Even if Harden walks, the 76ers are a top 3 team in the East and will have about 85M under the cap after this season, with Joel and Maxey as building blocks, they will be fine. Paul Reed needs to move to the 4, and then they can play Maxey, Melton, & PJ and have a very good starting 5. Springer is ready to step into a role this year, Mac McClung lit up the G league as well. Expect young talent to be given a chance and it may surprise you. Doc held this team back for 3 years.