The New York Knicks will have a great chance of acquiring Kawhi Leonard at the trade deadline this summer if they fall short in the playoffs. Leonard’s future has become a top NBA story to follow due to many pundits expecting the Los Angeles Clippers to finally trade him. New York is expected to make big changes via the trade block if they fall short of making the NBA Finals.
Fadeaway World reported the following trade package would be the best that the Clippers could expect from the Knicks:
“New York Knicks Receive: Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Pacome Dadiet, 2032 first-round pick
A Brunson-Towns-Leonard core would give the Knicks far more half-court shot creation than they have now, and OG Anunoby would still be there to keep the defensive wing structure intact. My read is simple: if the Knicks ever decide to turn Bridges into a bigger playoff ceiling, this is the version that actually makes sense on the numbers.”
New York would have to sacrifice losing two starters for the chance at upgrading with another All-NBA player on the roster. The trio of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Leonard would give the Knicks three consistent All-Stars. Even more important, New York would keep OG Anunoby as another lockdown defender with Kawhi.
Clippers Would Improve Team’s Future With Trade
This trade package makes sense for the Knicks to keep their three best players and add someone arguably better than anyone on the roster. However, the Clippers would have to settle for falling back a little next season after losing their established face of the franchise to set up a brighter future.
Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart would give them two reliable players to add with recently acquired Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin as their core pieces moving forward. The Clippers would have a new lineup with flexibility for the future and more youth on their side.
Pacome Dadiet and a future first round draft pick would add some pieces for the future to give the Clippers more assets moving forward. Both teams would get what they desire from a trade without having to sacrifice their respective goals.
Knicks May Have Eyes On Bigger Prize
The Knicks are considered one of the strongest favorites to land Giannis Antetokounmpo if he ends up on the trade block. Antetokounmpo reportedly named New York as his only destination last summer before the Milwaukee Bucks talked him into staying longer.
Expect the Knicks to look for Giannis and any other bigger stars with more reliability than Leonard if they are available on the trade block. Kawhi makes sense if he’s the best player on the market since he comes at a cheaper price that allows the team to keep their best talents.
A trade for a bigger star would likely require giving up Towns or Anunoby and more than one first round draft pick. Leonard gives them a proven all-time great to improve the “win now” mindset, while keeping the team intact with more assets for the future. The Clippers could find a perfect trade partner in the Knicks if New York has a disappointing playoff exit.
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