Should New York Knicks Reconsider Trading for a Star?
The New York Knicks have been very adamant about wanting to trade for a star at some point. But the player that puts the Knicks over the edge might not become available this season, perhaps forcing them to adjust their plans.
With that in mind, the Knicks (12-8) might be better off dealing away some of their minor pieces of obtaining a role player if they want to make another leap come this postseason. With all of the solid players that the Knicks have on their roster, the team might not need any more stars. Players like Bojan Bogdanović have recently lingered in the Knicks' rumor mill, though they're still reportedly keeping tabs on stars like Donovan Mitchell and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Jalen Brunson (C) has been the Knicks' headliner over the past two seasons
Benny Sieu, USA TODAY SPORTS
As things stand, Julius Randle has turned his season around, resembling his two-time All-Star form in a stretch that included the most recent Eastern Conference Player of the Week Award. Jalen Brunson seems destined for his first All-Star Game appearance, averaging 24.9 points per game on over 46 percent from the field. New York also maintains several homegrown talents in their primary rotation, including RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Mitchell Robinson.
Of course, the Knicks will likely keep searching for a star: their brief appearance in the knockout round of the inaugural In-Season Tournament might've shown just how far they are from hanging with the Eastern Conference's finest. Randle scored a season-best 41 points in the quarterfinal round but the Knicks dropped a 146-122 decision to Milwaukee.
The Knicks' current group will look to prove they have enough on Friday night when they face the Boston Celtics (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG/NBA TV).
