Knicks' Hypothetical Blockbuster Trades to Shake up NBA Offseason

The New York Knicks are fully focused on an NBA playoff run that now has them just one win away from securing a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.

Yet, they'll have to forgive us for letting our imaginations travel elsewhere. It's just that summer blockbuster trades are never not a fascinating topic, particularly for a team like the Knicks that has enough assets to get a major move done.

While this front office could certainly conclude that this roster has everything it needs, let's explore some possibilities if that isn't the case by examining some potential moves with internet-breaking potential.

Take Another Shot at Kevin Durant

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PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 26: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

Back in 2019, the Knicks courted Kevin Durant in free agency, and they even had the backing of his agent and business partner Rich Kleiman. Durant wound up joining the Brooklyn Nets instead, then threw salt in New York's wounds by saying, "The cool thing right now is not the Knicks."

During a February interview for Boardroom.tv, Durant told Kleiman his thinking on the team has changed.

"They're popping now," Durant said (via Christian Arnold of the New York Post). "They're playing well. The last few years, they were playing well."

Is that enough for New York to reignite its pursuit? It should be, as having a scorer of his caliber alongside ascending star Jalen Brunson might make this attack unstoppable. It would take a fortune to get Durant—maybe three first-round picks, plus Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson—but he'd be worth it if he can stay healthy.

Bring Donovan Mitchell Back Home

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 31: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the ball up court during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 31, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 109-91. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Donovan Mitchell is another star who has frequently been linked to the Blue and Orange. When he was traded away from the Utah Jazz in 2022, he thought he'd be headed to his hometown team.

Maybe he could get there a few years later.

His future with the Cleveland Cavaliers is seemingly up in the air, as he could enter free agency in 2025. Trade vultures are already circling above Northeast Ohio in hopes he'll want out this summer. He'd cost a lot to get, but New York could supply Cleveland with both draft picks (at least three) and plug-and-play veterans (anyone but Brunson might be up for grabs), and that could appeal to the Cavaliers, who may want to remain competitive but also need to rebuild their asset collection.

A Mitchell-Brunson backcourt could be challenged defensively, but they'd be a pick-your-poison pairing on offense. The idea of playoff defenses overloading on Brunson would go out the window as soon as Mitchell arrived.

Lure Paul George Away from L.A.

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: LA Clippers forward Paul George (13) during an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks on December 16, 2023 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If the Knicks could design their ideal addition to this roster, they might create someone who looks and plays an awful lot like Paul George.

The nine-time All-Star is almost like an upgraded version of OG Anunoby: all of the same high-end defensive versatility with even more offense. And if New York had both on the roster, opposing wings might never score against this group.

George, who has a $48.8 million player option for next season, per Spotrac, must have a reason for not signing an extension with the Los Angeles Clippers to this point. Sure, that agreement could be ironed out at any moment, but perhaps it's significant that nothing's been signed yet. Maybe he or the club are having second thoughts about extending a partnership that has yielded just two playoff trips and zero series wins over the past three seasons.

If George wanted out, New York should be ready to part with almost anything to get him. It might take two or three future first-round picks and two or three rotation regulars, but the Knicks have enough to meet that asking price and still have a contending roster in place.