Knicks are turning free agents into All-Stars

Julius Randle signed with the Knicks in the summer of 2019 and made his first All-Star team the next season. Since then he's made it two more times.

Jalen Brunson signed with the Knicks in the summer of 2022 and made his first All-Star team this season. He is the first player to make his first All-Star appearance after signing with a new team since...Julius Randle.

It speaks to a different philosophy in New York, where the team spent decades trying to lure stars to the Big Apple under owner James Dolan. Over the last 20 years, the Knicks signed or traded for former All-Stars like Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler. While Anthony was a regular All-Star, the others combined for all of two All-Star bids – one each for Stoudemire and Chandler.

Now, New York has acquired promising young players and turned them into All-Stars. Randle and Brunson both showed promise with the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, respectively, but they have blossomed into true stars with the Knicks.

The Knicks' most recent big trade follows a similar approach. They dealt for OG Anunoby, who has made an All-Defensive team, but never an All-Star team. Since that trade, the Knicks have won nine straight.

In 2022, the Knicks pulled out of trade talks for All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers instead. He's been great in Cleveland, but the deal cost his team three first-round picks and two pick swaps, plus Lauri Markkanen – another player who became an All-Star on his new team.

Does this mean the Knicks won't be star-hunting in the near future? It's hard to say. The Knicks still have a large collection of draft picks to use in deals, plus the expiring contract of Evan Fournier. But don't be surprised if the Knicks' next All-Star is another player who's never been one before.