Analyzing Bradley Beal and other potential star Knicks targets
It’s trade season.
The draft, set for June 22, is often a hot time for big NBA moves, which was why the timing of Wednesday’s news involving Bradley Beal was unsurprising.
According to multiple reports, the Wizards are working with Beal’s reps for a potential trade. And given the circumstances, it’s understandable. The Wizards, a middling team for years with Beal as the star, just hired a team president, Michael Winger, who could shape a roster with a rebuild. New executives love rebuilds because they extend timelines before pressure from ownership is applied.
Dealing Beal, who averaged over 31 points just two seasons ago, gives Winger the clean slate. It’s not ideal for the Wizards after signing Beal to a mega-contract just a year ago, but the alternative — running it back with a roster that fell into the draft lottery in 2023 — also isn’t appealing.
Which brings us to the Knicks.
Team president Leon Rose, as we’ve written exhaustively, has stashed his draft picks and assets in hopes of dealing for a star. Eventually. He failed to land Donovan Mitchell last year, but more possibilities are emerging this summer.
We’ll take a look at the feasibility of each below, starting with Beal:
BRADLEY BEAL
THE FIT: Strong. Assuming the Knicks unload RJ Barrett in the trade, Beal slots in nicely in the backcourt next to Jalen Brunson and provides Tom Thibodeau with a much-needed playmaker. The Knicks averaged just 100.1 points in the playoffs and were miserable offensively against Miami. Beal, at 6-4, has the size and athleticism to guard his position well. He just hasn’t given much effort on that end. Thibodeau might change that.
THE RISKS: Have to start with the contract. It’s massive. Beal is guaranteed over $205 million over the next four seasons. He’ll earn $57 million in 2027, when Beal will be in his mid-30s. It’s a devastating anchor if things go sour. Moreover, Beal has been injury prone lately — he hasn’t played more than 60 games in the last four seasons — and hasn’t advanced out of the first round since 2017.
IMPORTANT FACTORS: The no-trade clause. Beal’s the only active player with one written into his contract. We don’t know yet if Beal would waive it to go to the Knicks. A text to his agent went unanswered. Two years ago, a report from ESPN’s Michael Kay stated that Knicks executive William Wesley was recruiting Beal through backchannels. The league investigated the report, according to a source, but clearly couldn’t find evidence of tampering. The Knicks also have a scout, Vince Baldwin, who has a longstanding relationship with Beal from his days as a Nike executive. None of this stuff may matter at all. More importantly, the Knicks can offer Beal a more competitive roster than the Wizards. But so can the Heat, Celtics and Lakers.
THE PRICE: Shouldn’t be too bad. Beal’s contract and leverage with a no-trade clause will likely drive down the price, meaning the Knicks wouldn’t have to sacrifice as many draft picks. If Beal is amenable to joining the Knicks, it might be just a matter of outbidding the Heat — which has three first rounders, Tyler Herro and a couple prospects to dangle. We’ll throw out a hypothetical offer from the Knicks: Barrett, Evan Fournier, three first rounders.
JOEL EMBIID
THE FIT: He’s the reigning MVP and fits on any roster. Physically, Embiid is among the most impressive and imposing in the NBA while averaging 33.1 points last season. The Knicks also have inside knowledge of Embiid’s personality because Rose is his former agent.
THE RISK: Always injured. After missing the entire first two seasons of his career, Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a single campaign. His balky knees are an issue and it’s hard to see that going away as Embiid approaches 30 years old. Beyond the injuries and a huge contract, Embiid has never advanced past the second round despite rosters built for championship contention. He came up especially small against the Celtics this year.
IMPORTANT FACTORS: The Sixers don’t want to deal Embiid. They just hired a new coach, Nick Nurse, and hope to make a title push. New York’s best hope here is if James Harden leaves in free agency and Embiid forces a reconsideration. It’s a dream scenario for the Knicks to land Embiid but, at this point, it doesn’t seem likely.
THE PRICE: Astronomical. If Embiid ever hits the trade market, there will be no shortage of suitors. Assets would be exhausted.
ZION WILLIAMSON
THE FIT: Tough to say. The Knicks would send away Julius Randle in this hypothetical trade, giving Williamson a starting position and an opportunity to again play alongside his former Duke teammate Barrett. But since we don’t know much about the state of Williamson’s game (he never plays), predicting his play with Brunson and Thibodeau is just guesswork.
THE RISK: Injuries, obviously. Williamson hasn’t been healthy since getting drafted and might fall into the Greg Oden category of a sabotaged career. Part of it is self-inflicted. Williamson hasn’t shed the necessary weight to maintain a healthy lower body. Trading for Williamson is gambling that he’ll be more motivated at a new location.
Of lesser concern: an embarrassing love triangle involving Williamson and a pornstar is making the rounds on social media. That will eventually go away.
IMPORTANT FACTORS: The Pelicans would have to be willing to deal Williamson, which feels more likely by the day. The partnership just hasn’t worked out. They should move the franchise to Seattle.
THE PRICE: Unlike other teams on this list, the Pelicans wouldn’t trade a star for a rebuild. They want to contend with CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram. In other words, they’d be more interested in players than picks. So here’s an important question: how much do the Pelicans covet Randle and Mitchell Robinson? Or, could the Knicks find a third team that would take their draft picks to facilitate a trade?
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS
THE FIT: It’s hard to see a frontcourt working with Randle, but the Knicks could also include their All-Star in the deal. Towns has top-level skill and size, giving the roster a higher ceiling.
THE RISK: The 27-year-old hasn’t won much in the NBA, and there are concerns his desire to stuff the box score is much more potent than his desire for victories. Some of it is about attitude. The word “soft” has been thrown around. Meanwhile, Towns averaged just 47 games played over the last four seasons.
IMPORTANT FACTORS: Towns has strong ties to the Knicks organization with Rose as his former agent. His father is also close with Wesley. Similar connections led to Brunson joining the Knicks, and that certainly worked out well. It’s also worth noting that Towns and Thibodeau didn’t click when they were together in Minnesota, but a source has said the coach would have no problems with a reunion.
THE PRICE: High. The Timberwolves aren’t under pressure to deal Towns and would have to be compelled. Their big benefit would be shedding salary and avoiding the luxury tax, which seems counterproductive after they traded several picks for Rudy Gobert.
DAME LILLARD
THE FIT: Bad. The Knicks already have a lead guard and budding star in Brunson. A backcourt of Brunson and Lillard would be undersized, defensively-challenged and redundant.
THE RISK: He’s almost 33 years old and is owed $216 million through 2027. The Knicks are ready to take the next step toward contention but not ready for this step.
IMPORTANT FACTORS: There’s the age, the contract. There’s also an eagerness from the Blazers to appease Lillard’s requests, which means the point guard would probably need to sign off on the Knicks.
THE PRICE: Several picks and young players. Too high for a player that doesn’t make sense.
ZACH LAVINE
THE FIT: Checks the box of a playmaker that the Knicks need at the wing spot, but LaVine’s defense is a negative. Overall, he’d certainly be an upgrade over Barrett or Quentin Grimes in the lineup.
THE RISK: Again, the contract. It’s just slightly more daunting than Beal’s. LaVine also hasn’t proven he’s a winner, owning just one playoff appearance in his career.
IMPORTANT FACTORS: Indications are the Bulls plan to run it back with their roster and remain unlikely to deal LaVine. The free agency decision on Nikola Vucevic will reveal their plans. If they re-sign the center, you can forget about an offseason LaVine trade. If they let Vucevic walk, you can start the speculation with real earnestness.
THE PRICE: High. LaVine is a young cornerstone and the Bulls aren’t pivoting by just dumping his salary. The Knicks, of course, have enough draft picks to make a competitive offer.
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