While maintaining the core roster from last season, the Knicks traded for top-tier 3-and-D Bridges and then signed back Anunoby on a long-term max contract with an annual salary of $40 million, and the team's outside offensive and defensive capabilities have been improved again. At the same time, the Knicks are also at risk of losing center Harden, but their road to reinforcement will never end here. After all, the team is located in the big city of New York, with a lot of media exposure and a deep fan base, and the goal of a championship has become more and more intense.
As a result, Fran Leva, a reporter for the American media Fadeaway World, predicted that the Knicks would also make moves in the free market, and the following could be used as targets to build a luxurious championship roster.
First place: Kyle Lowry
The Los Angeles Clippers are also interested in the veteran Lowry, but if George is traded to the Warriors and Paul is likely to return to the Clippers, then the Knicks will have a better chance of getting Lowry. After being traded to the 76ers, Lowry played 23 regular season games for Philadelphia, averaging 8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, shooting 44.4% from the field and 40.4% from three-point range. In the playoffs, he also played six games, averaging 7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal per game, shooting 33.3% from three-point range.
If the Knicks are able to sign this player, then the pressure on Brunson's shoulders will be eased, and the team's bench will be stronger.
Second place: Andre Drummond
As the league's former rebounding king, Zhuang Shen was slowly eliminated by the small-ball era due to his lack of projection ability, and could not be used as the main center of a team. But if you use it as a backup center and send it on the court to fight against tall interior players like Jokic and Embiid, then it has a certain tactical significance. Zhuang Shen played for the Bulls last season, averaging 8.4 points and 9 rebounds per game, and is still a good interior player.
Third place: Lonnie Walker
Walker played for the Nets last season and was an important scorer and ball handler on the bench, averaging 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, which can also enrich the Knicks' bench lineup.
Fourth place: Prise Achiuwa
Achiuwa was traded to the Knicks by the Raptors last season, averaging 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and is a very important interior player on the bench. If the Knicks are going to lose Harden as a center, it would make a lot of sense to re-sign Achiuwa back.
If the above four players can be acquired, then the Knicks' lineup will become:
Starters: Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Randle;
Subs: Kyle Lowry, Lonnie Walker, Josh Hart, Prese Achiuwa, Andre Drummond;
The starting lineup can provide top-level defensive ability, and it is also full of intimidation on the offensive end; With Brunson and DiVincenzo on the ball and Bridges and Anunoby on the line, Randle can use his size and height to keep attacking the inside. At the same time, the bench lineup is also very competitive; Lowry has a lot of experience, while Walker has a good shooting, Hart and Achiuwa can provide excellent defense, and Johnson's rebounding and blocking ability is also crucial.
At this point, the Knicks have such a well-rounded and deep roster that they are expected to be one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. With defensive rotation and the ability to switch seamlessly between multiple positions, this superteam will challenge for an NBA championship and give New York fans championship hopes.