Breaking news: Knicks’ offseason trade target is the former MVP center
Breaking news: Knicks’ offseason trade target is the former MVP center
The NBA playoffs saw the New York Knicks lose in the second round, so they will need to figure out how to strengthen their roster in the offseason. The Knicks have a ton of unprotected first-round selections and other assets to trade, so they could potentially acquire any star that becomes available, even though injuries played a part in their season-ending failure. Joel Embiid was included in Bleacher Report’s list of the Knicks’ offseason trade targets under the heading “long shots” by Andy Bailey.
On May 20, Bailey said, “But Embiid was drafted in 2014 and has yet to make a conference finals.”
Due to Embiid’s failure to get past the second round and the Philadelphia 76ers’ lack of success, Bailey brought up Embiid as a possible trade possibility.
In the “dream offseason” scenario for the New York Knicks, Joel Embiid is asking to be traded.
There’s no doubting Embiid’s abilities on the court, even with the Philadelphia 76ers’ lack of success. With an MVP season average of 33.1 points, the 2022–23 player is among the NBA’s top scorers.
Following that, Embiid averaged 34.7 points in a season that saw him play in just 39 games because of injuries. With Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks would have probably the best tandem in the NBA if they added a scorer of Embiid’s caliber.
According to Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, who examined each team’s “dream offseason,” the Knicks’ ideal situation would be for Embiid to request a trade.
On March 18, Swartz wrote, “It’s no secret that when James Harden asked for a trade last summer, the Knicks (and the NBA in general) were extremely interested in Joel Embiid’s future with the Philadelphia 76ers.” “A lot can happen between now and the start of next season, but Philly’s strong play in the post-Harden era (until Embiid underwent knee surgery) was enough to table any trade talk for the MVP center.”
According to Swartz, the Knicks are holding off on signing any player who isn’t named Brunson.
“The Knicks’ dream scenario is for Embiid to eventually ask for a trade while New York holds onto its first-round picks and any player who isn’t Jalen Brunson to force a trade.”
Knicks ready to identify a second star in the NBA offseason of 2023–2024
The front staff of the New York Knicks made wise decisions with what they had, which is why they have this many draft picks. Knowing that they will be searching for a star for the next few seasons, New York has held onto all of their draft picks in case that star becomes available.
The Knicks are hoping that a star will become available during the offseason, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.
Who that star will be is unknown. Katz stated on May 19 that “even the Knicks are unaware of it.” “They are depending on a single, unchanging reality: Someone unexpected always becomes available in the NBA.”
Katz stated that they should keep in mind that certain personality types have contributed to their success even as they strive to become the next big thing.
“But they must remember that in their pursuit of the next big name, as they have also found success in a specific type of personality.”
It is unclear if Embiid is a good match for them, and it won’t be until he is made available.
