NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Remain in Pursuit of Star to Pair with Jalen Brunson

Now that Jalen Brunson has established himself as a go-to superstar who can lead a team in the playoffs, the New York Knicks are prepared to add another high-level player to pair with him.

According to The Ringer’s Howard Beck, the Knicks will continue their “perpetual hunt for another glitzy star” this offseason because General Manager Leon Rose and Executive Vice President William Wesley “promised” Governor James Dolan that’s what they could deliver when they were hired.

In just two years with the team, Brunson is already being put on the Mount Rushmore of Knicks players after his extraordinary playoff performance this season.

Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Knicks enter the summer $17 million under the luxury tax and $23 million under the first tax apron. They can clear another $17 million by waiving Bojan Bogdanović, whose contract is only guaranteed for $2 million if he’s not on the roster by June 28.

Signing OG Anunoby, who has a $19.9 million player option for next season, will likely be the first priority for New York’s front office.

The Knicks could attempt to explore trade options involving Julius Randle and his $30.3 million salary next season. Dealing him could be tricky because because his contract includes a 15 percent trade kicker and a $32.4 million player option for 2025-26.

Fred Katz of The Athletic reported on Friday the Knicks are “not trying to trade” Randle right now, but they “recognize that their quest for a star could require having to do so.”

Katz previously cited Karl-Anthony Towns and Donovan Mitchell as potential trade targets for the Knicks, or Paul George as a free-agent target if he opts out of his deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

It’s not hyperbolic to say this is offseason is one of the most important in Knicks history. They have established themselves as a top team in the Eastern Conference coming off consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 2011 to ’13.

Adding one more top-tier player to a core with Brunson, Anunoby, possibly Randle and Josh Hart could make them an NBA Finals contender next season.