NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Eye 'Big Name' amid Donovan Mitchell, Paul George, KAT Buzz

The New York Knicks consider this offseason "as the time to trade for the next big name," according to The Athletic's Fred Katz.

"It's not clear who that star will be. Even the Knicks do not know," Katz wrote. "They are counting on one universal truth: In the NBA, someone unexpected always becomes available."

He cited the Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns, Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George and Cleveland Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell as hypothetical options and said the Knicks could pounce if the Miami Heat or Phoenix Suns decide to make a major pivot.

Towns has long been floated as a possibility for New York, but the Timberwolves advancing to the Western Conference Finals probably takes him off the table.

George and Mitchell, on the other hand, might be changing teams this summer. George has a player option, so he can opt out and agree to a contract outright or arrange a sign-and-trade with L.A. Questions over Mitchell's future in Cleveland have lingered from the moment he was traded to the Cavs thanks to the fact he's eligible for free agency in 2025. Now is the time to move the five-time All-Star if he informs the front office he won't sign a new contract.

The Knicks' outlook now is more positive than it was last summer thanks to Jalen Brunson performing at an MVP-type level in the regular season and playoffs. In 13 postseason games, he averaged 32.4 points and 7.5 assists.

Were it not for all of the injuries, New York might be in the conference finals right now as well.

Still, the Knicks finished 14 games worse than the Boston Celtics and would've been the underdog in a seven-game playoff series between the two. You get the sense they need one more star to get over the hump and they have the draft assets to make that kind of blockbuster swap possible.

Correctly identifying which player makes New York a championship contender is the challenge before the front office.