Ranking the New York Knicks’ top 11 trade assets
by Tyler Watts
Leon Rose, William Wesley, New York Knicks. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
9. Knicks’ 2025 first-round pick
Further away picks will be more valuable because of the Knicks’ recent mismanagement. This is only the second year since 2014 that they have made the playoffs, and New York has just six postseason appearances since 2002. The Knicks are still one of the NBA’s marquee franchises, but history suggests they find a way to mess things up under James Dolan.
What will their roster look like in 2025? Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle both have player options that summer that they could decline in search of a long-term deal. The only players that New York has locked in beyond the 2025 summer are RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.
With Randle and Brunson on their roster, they should be a playoff team again in 2025, but teams know that anything can happen. Getting an unprotected pick is rare, and the Knicks have the ability to offer that here. Teams will project it to fall 15 to 25, but there is an upside that it lands in the lottery.
What makes the New York Knicks the frontrunner to acquire a superstar via trade is the combination of first-round picks, young talent on their roster, and their market. They traded for several first-rounders from other teams that could separate the Knicks’ package from other potential options when a marquee name hits the trade block.
becomes extension-eligible</a> on July 1, and the Knicks would love to get something done. There is no need to fret because they can match any offer in the summer of 2024, but the Knicks would be wise to get a deal done before Quickley further improves.</p>
<p>Teams would love to get Immanuel Quickley on their roster, and he is likely to be a key piece of the trade if the New York Knicks acquire a star. Coach Thibodeau loves the defense of Quentin Grimes, so Quickley appears the more likely young talent to be moved if a blockbuster emerges.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Two-time All-Star forward </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_142719" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-142719" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1706,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1482635540-scaled.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="2560" height="1706" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1482635540-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1482635540-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1482635540-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1482635540-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Julius Randle, New York Knicks. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h3>3. Julius Randle</h3>
<p>Julius Randle’s career arc has been a bit unorthodox. He was the seventh overall pick in 2014, but he played just 14 minutes as a rookie before breaking his leg and missing the remainder of the season. He got healthy and continued to improve during his four seasons in LA, but the Lakers let him walk in free agency as a 24-year-old.</p>
<p>Randle spent one season in New Orleans where he averaged over 21 points before coming to New York. Since joining the Knicks, the 6’8 forward has become an elite scorer and made two All-Star appearances.</p>
<p>The 28-year-old is in the middle of his prime and is under contract for at least two more years. He is owed $53.2 million through the 2024-25 season with a player option in the summer of 2025 worth $29.4 million. He was the eighth-highest-paid power forward in 2022-23.</p>
<p>Julius Randle would have trade value if the New York Knicks <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/05/15/5-julius-randle-trades-new-york-knicks-consider/">put him on the market</a>. He may never be a superstar, but there are not many guys that can score 25 every night efficiently. The Knicks could net multiple first-round draft picks if they moved Randle or he could be the key salary-matcher in a trade for a superstar.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Can this young wing continue to improve? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_142329" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-142329" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1166,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1481219913.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="1600" height="1166" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1481219913.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1481219913-768x560.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">RJ Barrett, New York Knicks. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h3>2. RJ Barrett</h3>
<p>If the Knicks are going to trade for a superstar, RJ Barrett will likely be headed the other way in the deal. The 6’6 wing has superstar potential, but improvements must be made on both ends of the floor. Barrett has averaged over 19 points per game for two straight years, but his ball-handling, shooting, and defense must be better for the 23-year-old to reach his ceiling.</p>
<p>Maple Mamba is just starting his rookie extension, and he has four years and $107 million left on the deal. Barrett must keep improving to make that a value contract, but rebuilding teams would love to add a 6’6 wing that should be in his prime for the final two years of his deal.</p>
<p>The Knicks are certainly willing to part with Barrett for a proper return. They realize the 23-year-old is likely to be the ask if New York is going to land a superstar because of his blend of skill and upside. Will the Knicks find that move this offseason?</p>
<p>The Knicks’ run to the second round should only increase the chances that they go big fish hunting this summer. Can New York find a superstar to lead their talented roster? If so, expect Barrett to be wearing a new uniform next season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> PG goes from overpaid to star </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_142720" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-142720" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1707,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1482495456-scaled.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="2560" height="1707" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1482495456-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1482495456-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1482495456-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1482495456-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<h3>1. Jalen Brunson</h3>
<p>When the Knicks signed Jalen Brunson away from the Mavericks, many viewed his four-year, $104 million contract as an overpay. That does not seem to be the case now after he helped New York make the playoffs for just the seventh time since 2001 and it was just the second time they advanced beyond the first round.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
<div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_142710" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/DailyKnicks/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet")
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.enableServices();
googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet");
});
</script>
</div>
</div> </div> </div>
<p>Brunson was the 16th highest-paid point guard in 2022-23 as he transformed into a star. He averaged 24.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 35.0 minutes per game as he shot 49.1% from the field and 41.6% from three. JB deserved to be an All-Star, and his new contract seems like a bargain.</p>
<p>Every team in the league would love to have a player like Brunson. He works extremely hard and wins games. The 6’1 guard is only missing an NBA championship from his resume. JB won a state championship in high school and two NCAA championships. He helped the Mavericks reach the conference finals in 2022 and followed that up by leading the Knicks on a run.</p>
<p>The Knicks could get multiple draft picks and key players in return for Jalen Brunson if they put him on the market. That is not happening, though. Head coach Tom Thibodeau loves JB, and he is the perfect fit for the veteran coach’s system.</p>
<p>The New York Knicks are going to be active in the trade market this summer, but finding the proper deal is key. Who will be available? Can the Knicks be the team that lands the star? Stay tuned to find out.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="hPzw5NIWzs"><p><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/03/20/9-players-new-york-knicks-gave-up-on-way-too-soon/">9 Players the New York Knicks gave up on way too soon</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="“9 Players the New York Knicks gave up on way too soon” — Daily Knicks" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/19/ranking-new-york-knicks-top-11-trade-assets/3/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/03/20/9-players-new-york-knicks-gave-up-on-way-too-soon/embed/#?secret=CDTl4By9q9#?secret=hPzw5NIWzs" data-secret="hPzw5NIWzs" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">
