The New York Knicks would be one of the most active teams on the trade market in the 2022 NBA offseason. After suffering a massive disappointment in the 2021-22 NBA season, the Knicks are expected to be more aggressive in improving their roster around franchise cornerstone RJ Barrett.
With their collection of young players and future draft assets, the Knicks would be in a solid position to engage in a blockbuster deal should a superstar becomes available on the trading block this summer.
Potential Offseason Trade Target – Zion Williamson
One of the dream trade targets for the Knicks is Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. In a recent article, James Piercey of NBA Analysis Network came up with a hypothetical blockbuster trade idea to enable the Knicks to acquire Williamson from the Pelicans this summer.
In the proposed trade scenario, the Knicks would be sending a trade package that includes Obi Toppin, Alec Burks, a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2026 first-round pick to the Pelicans in exchange for Williamson.
Why The Pelicans Would Make The Trade
The proposed blockbuster trade would only make sense for the Pelicans if Williamson expresses his desire to leave this summer. Williamson is yet to demand a trade, but during the 2021 NBA offseason, rumors were circulating about his unhappiness in New Orleans.
By sending him to the Knicks, the Pelicans would be receiving a young and promising big man in Toppin, a veteran sharpshooter in Burks, and four future first-round picks.
With the team less likely to consider a full-scale rebuild after losing Williamson, the Pelicans may consider moving Toppin and some of the future first-round selections in a separate deal to acquire a win-now player who complements Brandon Ingram.
Knicks Get Another Young Star
Giving up Toppin and four future draft assets would be a tough move for the Knicks, but it would be worth it to acquire a player of Williamson's caliber. Before entering the league in 2019, most people considered Williamson a generational talent.
He may have dealt with numerous injuries in the past years, but when he's 100 percent healthy, he's still one of the most promising young players in the NBA. His potential arrival in New York is expected to boost their performance on both ends of the floor, giving them a prolific scorer, rebounder, on-court facilitator, and defender.
Zion Williamson Would Welcome A Trade To Knicks
Williamson is yet to demand a trade from the Pelicans, but he would definitely be intrigued by the idea of being traded to the Knicks this summer. Williamson's interest in playing for the Knicks has been one of the worst-kept secrets in the league.
In 2019, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reported that Williamson was hoping that the Knicks would get the No. 1 overall pick so they could draft him.
Williamson talked about how much he loves playing in New York earlier this season.
“New York is the Mecca of basketball," Williamson said. "I love playing here. I played here in college, and this is my first time playing here in the pros. This atmosphere, whether they're cheering for you or booing for you, it's amazing. Honestly, I think outside of New Orleans, obviously, I think this might be my favorite place to play outside of New Orleans. I can't even lie to you, can't lie to you."
]]>The Inquisitr
