Over the past month, no NBA team has been as successful as the New York Knicks. On December 30, after losing three consecutive games, they held a mediocre record of 17-15. However, in the following weeks, they have secured victories in 13 out of 15 games, narrowing the gap to just two games behind the second spot in the Eastern Conference.
While the recent transformation of the Knicks has been attributed to the acquisition of OG Anunoby and the consistent performance of Jalen Brunson, the crucial role played by their enduring power forward, Julius Randle, cannot be overlooked.
Randle, enjoying another outstanding season marked by unwavering consistency, had been an ironman, participating in every game. Unfortunately, this streak came to an end when he suffered a shoulder dislocation against the Miami Heat. Although there is no definitive timeline for his return, it is anticipated that Randle will be sidelined for several weeks, potentially impacting the Knicks’ playoff positioning.
Speculation has circulated that, even after obtaining Anunoby, the Knicks may not have completed their roster upgrades. Most trade rumors involve guards like Dejounte Murray and DeMar DeRozan. However, with Randle’s indefinite absence, there is a growing rationale for the team to focus on acquiring a forward.
One emerging name in discussions is Mikal Bridges, who is enjoying an impressive season with the Brooklyn Nets. Bridges has existing connections with several Knicks players, having played alongside Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and Ryan Arcidiacono at Villanova. Despite the Knicks’ interest, a trade for Bridges seems unlikely as the Nets view him as a long-term asset, and transactions between these cross-city rivals are infrequent.
Bojan Bogdanović of the Detroit Pistons has also been linked to the Knicks. While Bogdanović is having a solid season individually, the Pistons’ overall performance might make it relatively easy for the Knicks to acquire him. Another potential target is Utah Jazz forward John Collins, who could be attainable with a package involving bench players and draft picks.
Alternatively, the Knicks could opt for inaction. Randle’s absence coincides with the All-Star break, providing him extra recovery time. If he returns soon, the team might decide against sacrificing valuable trade assets, potentially avoiding chemistry issues with their cohesive unit. Additionally, Randle’s absence could provide opportunities for players like Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa to step up with increased playing time.
The decisions made by the Knicks in the coming month, whether to make a trade or not, could significantly impact their success for the remainder of the regular season and beyond.
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