The Knicks shook up their franchise and the larger NBA landscape by kicking off trade season with the acquisition of OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors.
New York sent out two developing homegrown products in RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in the riskiest move of the Leon Rose Era — one with multiple angles and branching impacts.
In securing the perfect third fiddle to Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, the Knicks opened up new holes on the roster, while maintaining their trade capital and ambitions to use it. One simple but big open-ended question would be — what’s next?
A key takeaway from the deal was New York avoiding sending any first-round picks, leaving their chest full for the right superstar trade to come down the pipe.
The Knicks have operated almost entirely under the strategy of improving the team while remaining flexible and accumulating assets until they can make the superstar trade, and this move was no different.
Will they make that trade now and go all the way in? It’s not clear if that ideal target is currently available, and how much the Knicks want to watch this team before pursuing him.
In terms of the immediate prospects of this roster, bringing in a know-your-role wing in exchange for two offensive initiators has left the Knicks bereft of creators. It’s really just Brunson and Randle, with Miles McBride being the only healthy alternative point guard and the remaining two guards better away from the ball.
An additional dependable offensive guard is needed. A decent one plugs the gap, but a prolific one really makes things interesting.
New York could trade multiple picks for Donovan Mitchell or Dejounte Murray, or try and get Jordan Clarkson or Malcolm Brogdon for a fraction of that price.
The former should be a tantalizing gamble if available to them. A package of Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, unprotected first-round picks and filler will put them in the running for someone of that caliber.
Nov 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) dribbles against the New York Knicks in the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /…..
