The New York Knicks are coming off a season where they made the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2013. They made drastic improvements last season but were eliminated in five games in the first round. While it was an early postseason exit, the Knicks took a step in the right direction. They could become a true contender by making a trade for an established star.
At the moment, there are not many stars available who could fit the Knicks. Some players, however, could be moved around the trade deadline. With that said, here are two unhappy stars that the Knicks need to trade for.
Bradley Beal
Beal is one of the most dynamic scorers in the NBA and would fit great with the Knicks. They have a budding star in Julius Randle, who would pair nicely with Beal. The Washington Wizards are trying to build around Beal at the moment, but if the team is struggling at the trade deadline, a deal could make sense.
Last season, Beal averaged 31.3 points per game along with 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists. The All-Star guard is hard for any defender to stop, and he would thrive with the Knicks. He is a high-level scorer, although he had a down year from behind the arc. He shot 34.9 percent from deep but is a career 37.7 percent three-point shooter.
Many have said that Beal is wasting his prime years with the Wizards, who haven't gotten past the second round of the NBA Playoffs since his arrival. He's a classic case of a good player on a bad team and he has expressed his frustrations in the past. If everything boils over in the upcoming season, the Knicks need to make an aggressive move to bring Beal to the Big Apple.
Damian Lillard
The obvious trade target for the Knicks is Lillard. He is one of the best players in the NBA and is such a great offensive talent. He would also pair well with Randle, as they could form a lethal pick-and-roll duo. Adding Lillard to the Knicks would make the team an instant contender. This would form an even more intriguing rivalry between the Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets.
Last season, Lillard averaged 28.8 points per game along with 7.5 assists. He also shot 39.1 percent from behind the arc on 10.5 attempts per outing. Shooting that well at a high volume makes it tough on defenders to guard Lillard. The All-Star guard was in trade rumors throughout the offseason but decided to stay with the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard emphasized wanting to win a championship with Rip City and building an improved roster.
Unfortunately, the Trail Blazers were unable to improve their roster drastically. They simply don't have the lineup to compete with the other contenders in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets all have better-constructed teams than the Trail Blazers.
If the Trail Blazers are struggling at the trade deadline, it could be time to move on and rebuild. The Knicks should make an offer for Lillard.
What could the Knicks offer?
It's great to be interested in acquiring a superstar, but it comes at a price. The Knicks would have to give up a good package if they want to get either Beal or Lillard. They could offer a plethora of draft picks as well as some of their young talent. Whether it's RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Mitchell Robinson, or Obi Toppin, the Knicks have options. They also brought in Kemba Walker in the offseason, who could be used to help match Beal or Lillard's salary.
Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard are yet to be available, but the Knicks should jump on the opportunity if it comes.
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