Getty Jalen Brunson controlling the New York Knicks defense.
The New York Knicks are among eight teams that could pursue the Atlanta Hawks’ Dejounte Murray at the NBA’s February 8 trade deadline, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Noting that New York “isn’t in a rush to push their chips in for Murray,” Scotto wrote in a January 18 story that the Knicks are “primarily dangling the expiring contract of Evan Fournier, young asset Quentin Grimes and draft pick compensation for a potential upgrade, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Scotto wrote that the Knicks are “gauging the market to see what else that potential package can fetch.”
It’s uncertain what type of picks the Knicks would be willing to part with, but they have more draft capital than most teams in the NBA. In August 2023, Bleacher Report ranked them third in the league in terms of draft capital, including up to 10 first-round picks.
“The New York Knicks have a robust list of draft picks, should the team decide to go star hunting (Damian Lillard, Joel Embiid?),” Eric Pincus wrote. “New York can absolutely make a firm offer if and when the time comes for a top player.”
The Knicks Could Wait for a Star
Since acquiring OG Anunoby in a trade with the Toronto Raptors on December 31, the Knicks are 5-2 with Anunoby in the lineup. So the Knicks could decide to hold off and wait for the right kind of superstar talent to become available.
And, according to Scotto, it’s possible the Knicks don’t make a move at the deadline at all.
“New York is considering waiting until the offseason, when another star could potentially become available, depending on the asking price fluctuation for Murray and other players over the next few weeks before the deadline,” he wrote.
The Athletic’s Fred Katz also suggested that the player the Knicks won’t be available until after the season’s over.
“The long-term plan remains to add a star to the core that’s already present, but the organization still does not expect that star, whoever he may be, to become available until this summer at the earliest,” Katz wrote in a story published January 16.
The Knicks’ eyes have been set on Joel Embiid, according to Zach Braziller of the New York Post, “talk of Joel Embiid forcing his way out of Philadelphia has grinded to a halt.”
Knicks Are in the Mix for a Backup Power Forward
With the possibility of Mitchell Robinson returning this season, the Knicks don’t need to add another center, thanks to the emergence of Isaiah Hartenstein, according to Clutch Point’s Drew Maresca.
As for the rest of the roster, they have multiple upgrades to make. According to Scotto, the Knicks are still showing interest in backup guards and are now interested in backup power forwards.
“The Knicks are doing their due diligence and looking at various players across the league, including Hornets guard Terry Rozier, Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon, former Tom Thibodeau favorite Alec Burks, sources said. In addition, the Knicks are surveying the trade market for a backup power forward, league sources told HoopsHype.”
Alec Burks continues to be mentioned as a potential suitor, and given his history with Thibodeau, Burks makes sense. He has played well for the Detroit Pistons, averaging 12.1 points per game and shooting 39.6% from three-point range on 5.5 attempts per game. His 39.4% field goal percentage on 9.3 attempts per game leaves little to be desired, but Burks is a three-point shooter who has been over 40% in most seasons of his career.
He adds flexibility to this New York Knicks team off the bench and could even start or close games, depending on the matchup. With the assets the Knicks have, they have the flexibility to add more than one player. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them do that if they believe that it’d make the team better.