Knicks Holding Out for a Megastar Revisited

10 min readNov 17, 2023

Last year around this time I wrote an article detailing all the NBA “megastars” around the league and who the Knicks might be saving up all this draft compensation to acquire in a trade.

(You can catch up on that article here: https://kerry-klug.medium.com/knicks-holding-out-for-a-megastar-61c1d9db7fdd)

Back then I surmised that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could/should be the top target for the Knicks. Now I believe he’s a top-5 MVP candidate on a team that could/should make the playoffs this year. He’s not going anywhere.

So here I am again — going team by team detailing each team’s best players and if the Knicks could make a trade for that player to try and find this megastar in waiting that the Knicks (and their fans) so covet.

Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young (2022: No chance; 2023: Very slim chance): I still say he’s the face of this team, but maybe the Hawks plateau and realize he has reached his ceiling. I still really don’t see it happening. And I don’t want it to happen — screw this guy and what’s left of his hair.
Dejounte Murray (2022: No chance; 2023: no chance.) Only in his second year with the team, I just don’t see the Knicks acquiring Murray.

Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum (2022: no chance; 2023: no chance): Face of the team. MVP Candidate.
Jaylen Brown (2022: very slim chance; 2023: no chance): At the time of last year’s article Brown was being bandied about as a trade candidate. Now I don’t think he’s going anywhere. This is your Eastern Conference Champion favorite right now.

Brooklyn Nets

Mikal Bridges (2022: not mentioned; 2023: very slim chance chance): ALL VILLANOVA PLAYERS MUST BE KNICKS! If the Nets front office decides to just give up on the Ben Simmons project — maybe Bridges would be a part of that. While not a “megastar” — he’s still a solid wing player the Knicks could covet.
Ben Simmons (2022: No chance; 2023: no chance): What a difference a year makes. Simmons was almost out of the league. There’s no fit for Simmons on the Knicks.

Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball (2022: no chance; 2023: miniscule chance): There’s only the slightest very slim chance only because LaVar Ball could come out complaining about the Hornets team and that his son deserves to be in a major market. But we have Jalen Brunson and don’t need the headache. Move the hell on.

Chicago Bulls

Zach Lavine (2022: very slim chance; 2023: moderate chance): Zach Lavine allegedly just said that he is open to a trade and the Bulls feel like the #1 team to watch for league-changing trades. If RJ Barrett’s migraines continue the team could make a run for the offensive weapon Lavine. His contract is very pricey and his health is very dicey but unfortunately, the list of “megastars” is running short. I hope that the Knicks don’t make this desperation move, but Lavine has to be mentioned here. The Lakers, Sixers, and Heat are also probably on the radar for Lavine’s services.
DeMar DeRozan (2022: no chance; 2023: no chance): I hope Leon Rose is smart enough to realize that this would be just another player clogging inside the three-point line.
Alex Caruso: not a superstar — but there’s some smoke about the Knicks having interest in Caruso. But how many minutes would he get? Between Brunson, Quickley, Barrett, Grimes, DiVincenzo, Hart, and even Deuce McBride — there’s not enough ball to go around.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell (2022: no chance; 2023: miniscule chance): If things go really bad for the Cavaliers this year and they realize that sooner or later Mitchell isn’t going to be in Cleveland — they could strike to trade him now. I don’t think it will happen this season — but in next year’s article he will definitely be the front runner.

Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic (2022: no chance; 2023: no chance): I’ll just copy/paste what I wrote last year to save myself some time: “Mark Cuban should have the team taken away from him if he attempts to trade one of the top-5 players in the league.”
Kyrie Irving (2022: no chance; 2023: no chance): They just re-signed him — he’s not going anywhere. Also: Jalen Brunson exists.

Denver Nuggets

The defending NBA champions and current top-3 NBA champion favorite for this year aren’t trading away any major pieces.

Detroit Pistons

No megastars currently on the roster. I want Cade Cunningham to take a leap — but nothing here right now.

Golden State Warriors

Too old, will be trying to make a playoff push with what they have — not rebuilding.

Houston Rockets

No true “megastars” available. Rebuilding with their young, promising core.

Indiana Pacers

Best player is Tyrese Haliburon who the Knicks should’ve drafted over Obi Toppin. He plays the same position as the Knicks best player. Nothing to see here. “What about Myles Turner?” Mitch please.

Los Angeles Clippers

Just traded for James Harden so they can get knocked out in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Not looking to move any of their stars.

Los Angeles Lakers

Lebron isn’t going anywhere. Anthony Davis isn’t going anywhere. The rest of the team are role players acquired to fit around the skills of their two big players.

Memphis Grizzlies

Another young team building themselves up — probably not really looking to trade any of their players right now.

Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler/Bam Adebayo (2022: no chance; 2023: no chance): The Heat are currently in 5th place in the East and will make the playoffs again. The Heat aren’t trading playoff Jimmy nor Bam to a rival. If anything, they’re probably on the hunt for another star to pair with Butler & Bam.

Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo (2022: not listed; 2023: no chance): After acquiring Damian Lillard they’re pushing to make the Eastern Conference Finals. I think Lillard has placated Giannis enough that he doesn’t want to go anywhere else now.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns (2022: very slim chance; 2023: slim chance): Alan Hahn was on the Knicks Fan TV podcast before the season talking about who the Knicks could pursue in a trade. KAT is a rangey PF who hasn’t shown much playoff success. Sound familiar? He’s taller and younger than Randle — but also plays in less games than Randle. He is really not as much of a needle-mover as his #1 overall pick pedigree makes everyone think he is. In his last 3 years KAT has averaged 23.9 PTS, 9.8 REB, 4.1 AST, 1.0 BLK and 2.2 3PM per game. Julius Randle in his last 3 years: 23.2 PTS, 10.0 REB, 5.1 AST, 0.4 BLK and 2.3 3PM per game. Oh yea, and Randle’s played in 67 more games in that time. Hopefully Leon Rose isn’t tricked by that pedigree.
Rudy Gobert: we already have a better version of Rudy Gobert in Mitchell Robinson. YEAH I SAID IT!
Anthony Edwards: is the face of this team until he decides he isn’t.

New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson (2022: no chance; 2023: slim chance): Let me be clear — I hope this doesn’t happen. I don’t trust that a player as explosive as Zion at 284 pounds will be healthy for a long time. The human body has limits no matter who you are. His highest games played total is 61 back in the 2020–2021 season. He followed that season up by not playing at all in 2021–2022 due to a foot injury. I know many of you Knicks fans hate Julius Randle — but would Zion be that much of an upgrade over Randle? In his 4 seasons, Zion has played 123 games and averaged 25.5 points/6.9 REB/3.6 AST. Randle: 231 games/23 points/10.0 REB/5.1 AST. Hopefully Leon remains patient.

Oklahoma City Thunder

This is a young team looking to build instead of rebuild. They’re currently the 5th seed in the West. This is their “process” coming to fruition.

Orlando Magic

Young team that is building. No true stars to trade.

Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid (2022: very slim chance; 2023: very slim chance): 4 weeks ago I would’ve said moderate chance. James Harden was still around the team (kinda) and it looked like the Sixers were going to be in for another disappointing playoff bounce. Now, Tyrese Maxey is averaging 27.6 points per game, Harden is long gone, and the Sixers are looking to acquire a third star just like the Knicks. They’re a team to watch as the trade deadline approaches. Keep a close eye on Zach Lavine.

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant (2022: slim chance; 2023: no chance): There was a lot of instability in Brooklyn last year so I thought maybe he’d demand a trade. Now — after a trade to Phoenix I think Durant is content playing alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal theoretically.
Devin Booker (2022: slim chance; 2023: very slim chance): I think this is probably the most talented team that Booker has been a part of so that’s why I downgraded him to very slim chance. He is a former Leon Rose client, but if everything isn’t sunshine and roses in Phoenix (they’re currently 5–6, 9th seed in the West) maybe he asks out? Probably not though.

Portland Trail Blazers

After the CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard trades this team doesn’t have any “stars” worth trading that would make the Knicks better.

Sacramento Kings

They have Sabonis who the Kings only recently acquired and De’Aaron Fox, but I just don’t think they’re trading anyone major. They’re a Western Conference playoff threat.

San Antonio Spurs

They’re rebuilding around Victor Wembanyama, their only true star.

Toronto Raptors

Pascal Siakam (2022: no chance; 2023: no chance): They don’t really need a PF. Randle is better than Siakam anyway.
Scottie Barnes (2022: no chance; 2023: no chance): 22 year old face of the franchise has really taken a leap forward this year averaging career highs in almost every category.
O.G. Anunoby (2022: not listed; 2023: very slim chance): This is a player I wish the Knicks would target. However, I think suing the Raptors might hurt the chances that any trade will happen now. Trade Grimes, Fournier, and picks away to the Raptors for Fournier instantly upgrades this roster with arguably the best 3&D wing in the league. Helluva time for a lawsuit Knicks.

Utah Jazz

Lauri Markkanen (2022: not listed; 2023: no chance): The 2022–2023 Most Improved Player Lauri Markkanen has turned himself into a nice, young player, but we already have the 2020–2021 Most Improved Player in Julius Randle who plays a similar role to Markkanen.

Washington Wizards

I don’t see any stars. Only Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma see themselves as stars.

So who is the megastar we’re all expecting?

Three months ago it was definite: Lillard to the Knicks.

Two months ago it was definite: Giannis to the Knicks.

Last month it was definite: Embiid to the Knicks.

These things change on a moment’s notice. Who knows when Harden will request his next trade? Who knows when the next player goes from gruntled to disgruntled? Anthony Davis is due for a season ending injury any day now! The NBA player market is fluid and unpredictable.

So — who is the megastar the Knicks will trade for in 2023? Are you ready for my grand thesis that will enlighten and change the scope and future of the entire NBA and the Knicks franchise?

No one.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But think about it this way: the Lillard pool dried up. The Giannis pool dried up. The Embiid pool just dried up. The Sixers are about to be the top players in the trade market because they have more reason to win in 2023 than the Knicks. They’re closer to winning right now, they’ve got more incentive to keep their top star, Joel Embiid, happy, and they’ve got just as many trade assets as the Knicks.

Does that mean the Knicks won’t make a trade in 2023? I’m not saying that necessarily. Evan Fournier is just $18 million rotting on their bench right now — so the Knicks have to do something about that before he just walks away. Immanuel Quickley didn’t agree to an extension so the Knicks need to make a decision about his future. The Knicks potentially have 4 first-round picks in this year’s draft — although 3 of them are conditional picks acquired from other teams and two of them (Detroit protected 1–18; Washington protected 1–12) will probably not convey. They also have 3 second-round picks as well. What would the Knicks do with all of those young players?

So who do I want the Knicks to trade for in 2023? Much easier answer: O.G. Anunoby. It would probably cost you Immanuel Quickley, Evan Fournier, and some of the Knicks draft capital. A starting lineup of:

PG: Jalen Brunson

SG: RJ Barrett

SF: OG Anunoby

PF: Julius Randle

C: Mitchell Robinson

For me, this is a top-3 team in the East who could really push any Eastern Conference team to the brink. I honestly think this lineup could even lead the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals. As I’ve already mentioned — the “megastar” pool has really dried up. So maybe they should go a different direction they’ve already started: by becoming a deep lineup with quality players across the board instead of the 2–3 superstar model that most other teams are looking to do. Much like my favorite non-Knick team of all time: the 2003–2004 Detroit Pistons (an article on THAT comparison coming soon.) Zag when everyone else is zigging!

The fly in the ointment in this whole conversation? The Knicks lawsuit against the Raptors. (More on that here: https://medium.com/boundless-ballin/nba-news-knicks-sue-raptors-ex-employee-who-funneled-team-secrets-to-toronto-26e3dcf7d9ca) The Raptors have no obligation to trade with the Knicks, and now honestly probably have even less desire to trade with them. I think Donovan Mitchell may be their main target — but I don’t think he will become available until the 2024–2025 season.

What do you think? Who should the Knicks trade for?