Knicks' next move before the trade deadline needs to be right fit
New York Knicks president Leon Rose looks on during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New York City. Credit: Jim McIsaac
LeBron James’ stopover at Madison Square Garden on Saturday presented another chance for rumors and conspiracy theories to surface about the latest star possibility for the Knicks ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Asked to explain a cryptic hourglass emoji he posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) after a recent loss, James declined. Then, when he was asked if he had decided what he will do with his player option this summer, he simply said, “No.”
But the reality is, he came, he saw and he conquered — and then was off to the next place with his agent, Rich Paul, who openly told ESPN that James isn’t leaving the Lakers.
That left him in a pile with Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell and just about every other star Knicks fans can imagine will be the missing piece to lift the franchise to its first championship in more than 50 years.
The truth is not nearly as enticing as the fantasy basketball, but every indication is that while the Knicks are active on the phones, as they should be, if any move is made, it will be around the fringes to shore up minor holes in the roster.
At 32-18, the Knicks are one game behind the Cavaliers and Bucks, who are in a virtual tie for second place in the Eastern Conference. As they have ascended with a 15-3 record since the trade that acquired OG Anunoby — even with him sidelined for the last four games — the outlook for the deadline has changed.
The need for Dejounte Murray, whom Atlanta has dangled, has been erased by the play of Donte DiVincenzo. The Knicks have been tight-lipped about the status of Julius Randle as he rehabs his dislocated right shoulder, but it seems as if his time on the sideline will be measured in weeks, not months, eliminating the need for a star-level replacement.
Quentin Grimes could be traded at some point. He is eligible for a contract extension this summer and in the same position as Immanuel Quickley was last summer and this season before he was dealt. But a league source indicated that the Knicks have eased shopping him — and if Saturday’s loss to the Lakers was a hint of what the second unit looks like without Grimes, who is out with a knee injury, the Knicks either need him or someone else.
“Our margin of error is really small right now,” coach Tom Thibodeau said Saturday. “Just gotta keep playing hard.”
Deuce McBride’s defense and shooting have been a boost to the second unit, but the Knicks do need a playmaker on that unit to ease the burden on Jalen Brunson.
A veteran point guard such as Detroit’s Alec Burks (who previously was a Thibodeau favorite), Portland’s Malcolm Brogdon or Washington’s Tyus Jones could fill that need, but with other contenders also seeking point guard help, Brogdon and Jones likely would command a high price.
The Knicks have gotten this far with critics questioning their star power, but part of their success has been the fit, and Brunson has emerged as a star. The midseason moves for Josh Hart last season and Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn this season have managed to up their play while keeping the fit off the court solid. So fit matters, and if another move comes before the deadline, it has to be the right piece, one that doesn’t disrupt what the Knicks already have put in place.
Notes & quotes: The Knicks ruled out Anunoby and Grimes for Tuesday night’s game against the visiting Grizzlies. Grimes could be out at least through rest of the homestand, which concludes Saturday.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
