Knicks' Most Realistic Trade Targets in 2023 Offseason

The New York Knicks may not swing a trade during the 2023 NBA offseason.

If they do, though, it could be massive.

They are packed to the brim with trade assets, and their only real scratch to itch is more star power. They could always wait to see if their own prospects develop enough to fill that void, but patience might not be a virtue in this case. Not with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle firmly in their prime and perhaps ready to lead the right roster down a championship path.

If the Knicks swing for the fences this summer, the following three players should be high up their wish list.

O.G. Anunoby, Toronto Raptors

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 31: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on as he runs up the court against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 31, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 117-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Toronto Raptors failed to make the playoffs for the second time in three years. They've won just a single postseason series since making a title run in 2019.

That's why they moved on from former coach Nick Nurse, and it's why that subtraction could be the first of many up north.

Should the Raptors veer into a rebuild, the Knicks should flood their phone lines with trade offers for two-way standout O.G. Anunoby. He might be the league's best perimeter defender, and his offensive game is in a perpetual state of evolution. This was the first season in which he failed to set a new career-high in scoring (16.8 points per game, the second-most he's averaged). His 47.6/38.7/83.8 slash line bested his career shooting rates from every level.

Even if he isn't a Tier 1 superstar, he could prove to be an outstanding fit as New York's third option. He'd be their best defender out of the gate, and he'd give this group more flexibility on offense with his shot-making and budding creation skills.

Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

It's possible this is wishful thinking—both that the Brooklyn Nets would let Mikal Bridges go and that they'd send him to their intracity rivals.

Then again, maybe it isn't. The Nets have a limited window to construct a contender around Bridges, and they might be better off abandoning the idea to stockpile assets instead. If Brooklyn makes that concession, it shouldn't let a rivalry stand in its way of collecting the best trade haul, which New York could quite possibly put together.

Bridges wouldn't be cheap—he performed like an All-Star after his deadline deal (26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists)—but he could be worth a substantial haul. He might be a touch over his skis as a primary option (he shot 42.9 percent in the playoffs), but he could be both productive and wildly efficient working alongside Randle and Brunson.

Bridges' offensive game elevated multiple levels after establishing himself as arguably the Association's top three-and-D wing. The strides he made as a shot-creator (for himself and his teammates) could allow him to operate as anything between an offensive hop and a well-qualified third option. And on nights when New York didn't need a ton of offense from him, his typically stingy defense could be even harder for opponents to handle.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

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DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets on April 25, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Karl-Anthony Towns isn't quite as consistently dominant as you'd want, and he hasn't exactly enjoyed a ton of winning during his career (three playoff trips, zero series wins in eight seasons). Still, even Google would have a hard time finding a bunch of search results if tasked with uncovering more skilled big men than him.

The 6'11", 248-pounder is both a marksman from three and a tactician in the low post. He's a good enough passer to pick apart defenses who send extra help his way and a strong enough scorer to punish those who don't. This season will go down as a disappointment for him, and he still found his way to 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists per night.

Talent isn't his issue. Fitting poorly alongside Rudy Gobert might be, though, which could prod the Minnesota Timberwolves into shopping their three-time All-Star. And if Towns hits the trade block, it might be only a matter of time until New York makes its move.

"The interest in making that happen would be mutual, for sure," one league source told Heavy Sports' Sean Deveney. "KAT and the Knicks are intertwined. To some people, it is more a matter of when they go after him, not if."

Towns was coached by Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota and used to be represented by Leon Rose, who's now the Knicks president. Those connections, coupled with New York's need for another star, could help bring together the league's next blockbuster.