Thursday started off with some big news – that New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis would treat a new team as a one-year pit-stop before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Little did basketball fans know that even bigger news was coming.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis left a meeting with the front office and implied that he wished to be traded.
Not even an hour later, the Knicks had agreed to a deal with Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas obviously improves their team if they are able to re-sign Porzingis, but New York has a different reason for making the trade. After ditching the contracts of Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr., they will have cap space for two max contracts in the offseason.
The 2019 free agent class has the potential to be one of the best in recent memory, but the Knicks are still taking a massive risk.
Here are a few of the top players headed to unrestricted free agency after this season: Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, and Kemba Walker.
It's an extremely impressive class, but the Knicks have to be smart about which players they target. For example, it wouldn't make much sense to sign Durant and Leonard, or Butler and Walker.
The two players must be able to fit well together, and there is the likelihood of a top rookie on the team next year. If New York could somehow land Zion Williamson, things could get very interesting.
Here are the two players the Knicks must target.
Primary Target No. 1: Kevin Durant
Durant is the crown jewel of the class, and should be the Knicks' primary target.
Although he has played for the Golden State Warriors at a discount, it seems as if Durant is happy to have finally won a championship, and will now look to cash in.
For months, rumors have been floating around that New York has had their sights set on Durant, and for good reason. He is an excellent defender, an elite scorer, and plays well without the ball in his hands.
To compliment Durant, the Knicks should pursue a ball-handler who has also been linked to them in the past.
Primary Target No. 2: Kyrie Irving
Irving is not great on defense, but he is one of the best offensive players the game has seen in the last 20 years. He is arguably one of the greatest ball-handlers and isolation scorers in history, and during his time with the Boston Celtics, he has drastically improved his passing ability.
Irving has experience being the primary scorer, playing with LeBron James, and leading a younger team without another star, so adjusting to life with Durant shouldn't be an issue at all.
With Irving and Durant on the roster, New York's draft philosophy would shift dramatically.
Instead of looking for a player to build around, they would need to find someone who can compliment their stars well.
Duke's Cam Reddish has been extremely inconsistent thus far, but his skillset is perfect for a Knicks team + Durant and Irving. At 6'8″ 220lbs, Reddish has the size and athleticism to play and guard the 2, 3, and 4.
Every NBA team is in search of an elite 3-and-D wing who is effective off the ball, and that's exactly what Reddish is.
If the Knicks are also able to sign a few veterans who are attracted to the glitz and glamour of New York as well as the opportunity to contend for a championship, they could make some serious noise next season.
The Celtics and Warriors will be significantly worse due to New York stealing their best players.
That will lead to parity in the NBA again, with New York having a legitimate shot at a championship for the first time since the Patrick Ewing era.
Follow Us
Subscribe