Knicks ‘Monitoring’ Potential Trade For Hawks’ Trae Young

The New York Knicks are a prime candidate to make a blockbuster trade this upcoming NBA offseason. They have a strong foundation in place and their future is bright. A boatload of draft picks and young talented players litter the roster, giving them one of the better outlooks currently in the league.

The only thing this roster is missing is that bonafide superstar-level player to bring it all together. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson have proven capable of carrying a team this season. Randle has returned to All-NBA levels while Brunson thrived in his first chance as a full-time starter.

Surrounding those two are young players with high ceilings such as RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin and Isaiah Hartenstein are excellent role players and their acquisition of Josh Hart at the trade deadline was arguably the most impactful addition of the season.

Leon Rose and Scott Perry will be on the lookout for that big addition this offseason. One player to keep an eye on according to a former NBA executive that spoke to NBA Analysis Network is Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks.

“I’m told that the Knicks, who would love to add a bonafide superstar, are monitoring Trae Young’s situation with Atlanta. If the Hawks consider trading him, the Knicks will be first in line. They love the idea of Young and Brunson together.”

If Young is truly who the Knicks are going to target as their superstar addition, they can kiss any chance at contending for a title goodbye. Young has failed to consistently elevate the Hawks despite the front office doing everything they can to upgrade the roster with players whose skill sets fit around Young’s.

Young is an undersized, ball-dominant point guard with inefficient shooting numbers. He makes zero impact defensively, which New York already has had some issues overcoming with Brunson.

Pairing them together in an undersized backcourt could produce some impressive offensive numbers but would put a lot of strain on the last line of defense. It would be virtually impossible, even with Tom Thibodeau’s defensive acumen, to create a game plan to keep opponents out of the paint with those two at the point of attack.

Also, the cost of acquiring Young will be astronomical. He is wrapping up the first season of his five-year supermax extension and the Hawks will look to get as much value in return for him as possible. His fit on the roster and what it would ultimately cost to acquire him should have the Knicks looking elsewhere this offseason.

For the first time in a long time, New York has a locked-in starting point guard in Brunson. Why they would want to rock the boat in the backcourt is anyone’s guess. If they are going to swing for the fences this offseason, it will more than likely come in the form of a wing player.