Knicks Rumors: 'Prime-Aged Veterans' Targeted in Trades After DiVincenzo Contract

Agreeing to a four-year, $50 million contract with Donte DiVincenzo may have been a prelude to something bigger, according to The Athletic's Fred Katz.

Katz explained how the Knicks haven't totally addressed their on-court issues from last season but reported the team could continue to seek upgrades:

"League sources told The Athletic that New York has contacted multiple rival front offices this offseason with a similar objective. The Knicks have built packages around their promising young players to target prime-aged veterans they believe would help the current roster. If they flipped one of their 20-something guards for a versatile wing, that would change the context of the DiVincenzo signing, too."

It's unclear what kind of target New York has in mind.

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard and Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden are both available after requesting trades, but acquiring another guard wouldn't make much sense.

Alan Hahn of ESPN New York and MSG Networks (via the New York Post's Christian Arnold) reported a deal for Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is out of the question right now as well.

On Tuesday, The Athletic's Jared Weiss included the Knicks among the teams still pursuing restricted free agent Grant Williams, who would fill the void left by Obi Toppin.

You could throw out a few other notable targets who could theoretically on the front office's radar.

With Fred VanVleet agreeing to a deal with the Houston Rockets, the Toronto Raptors might have little choice but to start looking toward the future. If that happens, then dealing O.G. Anunoby or Pascal Siakam would be a natural move.

Plenty of fans are watching the Harden situation with an eye toward how it impacts Joel Embiid's Sixers tenure, regardless of how unlikely it is the reigning MVP actually attempts to force his way out.

Maybe the Knicks throw everything at the Brooklyn Nets that's needed to get Mikal Bridges.

In general, this hasn't been a bad offseason for the franchise. Trading away Toppin was a necessary sacrifice because he didn't have a path to attaining a bigger role in the rotation. DiVincenzo brings a slight upgrade in shooting after connecting on 39.7 percent of his long-range opportunities in 2022-23.

But the fanbase might be feeling a bit underwhelmed doesn't use its glut of guards to add more help on the wing.