Report: Knicks targeting 'prime-aged veterans' to round out roster

After trading forward Obi Toppin and agreeing to a four-year, $50M deal with guard Donte DiVincenzo, many are wondering what moves the New York Knicks will make next.

While the Knicks have remained patient in hopes of landing a superstar, it appears their immediate focus is on smaller acquisitions to fill out the current roster. According to The Athletic's Fred Katz, New York has reached out to multiple teams offering packages centered around their young talent to acquire "prime-aged veterans." 

"League sources told The Athletic that New York has contacted multiple rival front offices this offseason with a similar objective," Katz wrote. "The Knicks have built packages around their promising young players to target prime-aged veterans they believe would help the current roster. If they flipped one of their 20-something guards for a versatile wing, that would change the context of the DiVincenzo signing, too."

Once DiVincenzo's signing becomes official, the Knicks will find themselves with an abundance of guards but little room to play them all. If no additional moves are made, New York will feature lineups including Jericho Sims or Josh Hart at the four, neither of whom are ideal options in that role.

With plenty of time left in the offseason, it seems inevitable that Knicks president Leon Rose will make a move to resolve the logjam. 

Katz's colleague Jared Weiss reported Tuesday that the Knicks were among teams pursuing former Celtic Grant Williams, who would've been a solid fit to replace Toppin off the bench. However, with Williams being traded to Dallas on Wednesday, perhaps New York will gravitate towards pursuing another defensive-minded wing in Toronto's OG Anunoby.

Anunoby has been linked to the Knicks dating back to the regular season, and they may still be in play for the 25-year-old if the Raptors make him available. Per Michael Grange of Sportsnet, if Toronto continues its roster and personnel turnover by trading away two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam, an Anunoby deal may follow.

"If Siakam goes, the focus will turn to O.G. Anunoby — the smooth-shooting, all-NBA defender who remains on the watch list for several teams, the New York Knicks especially," Grange wrote.

Anunoby would surely cost more in a trade than Williams did, though it could be a worthwhile addition for the Knicks, who have the resources to make a deal work. Considering Toronto lost longtime point guard Fred VanVleet in free agency, a trade involving Anunoby and guard Immanuel Quickley could be advantageous for both sides.

Both Anunoby and Quickley are due for contract extensions next offseason, with the former having a player option for 2024-25 and the latter set to hit restricted free agency. Since Jalen Brunson has proven to be New York's answer at point guard, extending his backup might be more of a luxury than a necessity.

The Knicks have assembled a young talented roster poised for another trip to the playoffs, but it's uncertain whether they'll improve on last season's second round appearance without further upgrades.