Report: Knicks interested in packaging RJ Barrett in trade for Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal

The New York Knicks went 41-31 and earned the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs this season. Although a first-round exit obviously wasn’t what anyone wanted, the fact that the team got as far as it did this year was a welcome surprise.

Now comes the hard part: building on that initial success.

The Knicks reportedly will attempt to sign Lakers star Dennis Schroder in the offseason, but the front office has grander aspirations. They don’t just want stars, they want superstars.

According to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, the Knicks are ready to make a splash:

“The Knicks are interested in packaging rising star RJ Barrett in a deal for a star guard, like Portland’s Damian Lillard or Washington’s Bradley Beal.

“If both the Trail Blazers and Wizards are uninterested in a deal, the source says the Knicks are also monitoring Cleveland’s Collin Sexton, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Charlotte’s Terry Rozier as younger guards the franchise can fold into its plans for the future.”

If none of those deals materialize, New York is also viewed as a legit threat to steal away arguably the most impactful veteran in the NBA today.

Now, it’s worth mentioning — Beal has one suitor that is chasing him far more aggressively than the Knicks are. If he gets dealt, chances are it won’t be to New York.

Similarly, there is currently a four-team race for Lillard’s services — with no clear indication that the Knicks have any sort of leg up.

This is shaping up to be a very important offseason for the Knicks. What happens this summer will lay the groundwork for many years to come.

Will they ultimately come away with a superstar? Time will tell.