NBA Rumors: Knicks Expected To Be ‘Aggressive In Pursuing Trades’ For ‘Young, Talented Players’

For seven consecutive years, the New York Knicks are once again set to finish an NBA season as one of the worst teams in the league. However, with Leon Rose now serving as president of basketball operations, the Knicks are expected to make major moves that could help them turn things around next year. When the season is over, they are set to be active on the trade and free agency market, finding players that could complement RJ Barrett, whom they selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

In a recent mailbag, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York was asked by a fan what he expects from the Knicks’ front office in the 2020 offseason. With their goal of becoming a more competitive team while focusing on the development of Barrett and their young core, Begley believes that the Knicks will be “aggressive in pursuing trades” that would enable them to land “young, talented players” this fall.

“In general, my guess is that Rose and the Knicks will be aggressive in pursuing trades for young, talented players if the opportunity presents itself. I’d also guess that the club will have a significant number of veterans on the roster next season, in part in an effort to surround the younger players with knowledge and experience. I’d be surprised if we saw a Knick roster/rotation next season filled exclusively by young players with little to no NBA experience.”

With the team currently considering Barrett as the centerpiece of their rebuilding plans, it makes a lot of sense for the Knicks to continuously find players that fit his timeline. Though the season is still far from over, the Knicks have already been linked to several young and talented players that are expected to be available on the trade market this offseason, including All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.

From the time Rose was officially named as president of basketball operations, rumors began circulating that Booker would be the Knicks’ top target on the trade market this fall. The Suns may be one of the teams to play in Orlando this season, but if they suffer another huge disappointment, the All-Star shooting guard is expected to follow in the footsteps of other superstars and start finding his way out of Phoenix.

However, bringing Booker to New York won’t be easy. Aside from sacrificing multiple future first-round picks, the Knicks would also need to give up some of their young talent to convince Phoenix to engage in a blockbuster deal.