Ancient Rivals: Lakers and Knicks Competing for Same Trade Targets.
The current buzz suggests a split path for these two teams. The question looms: who will secure the desired deals? By Antonio Losada, Jan 20, 2024, 1:00 pm EST
In every trade deadline, a multitude of rumors surfaces, but this year’s seems to be a classic showdown between the NBA’s two major markets.
It’s the East Coast versus the West Coast, Heat against Cold, New York challenging Los Angeles.
A glance at the latest rumor roundups from Posting & Toasting, Silver Screen & Roll, or any other source covering the NBA behind-the-scenes drama reveals the intense efforts of these giants in formulating attractive trade packages for the same players before the Feb. 8 deadline.
Currently holding the fifth seed in the East with a 25-17 record, the Knicks have numerous home games left after tackling a demanding road schedule. In contrast, the Lakers stand at a less impressive 21-22, ranking as the tenth team in the West, teetering on the edge of the play-in and just half a game above the pre-post-season cutoff.
Despite these differences, both teams are actively seeking additions before the All-Star break, and interestingly, they have identified the same targets.
A recent report by Fred Katz of The Athletic outlined the Knicks’ front office plans for the upcoming deadline, summarized as follows:
- Add at least one impactful player under contract beyond this season.
- Focus on a scoring ball handler.
- Potentially seek a backup center, contingent on Mitchell Robinson’s recovery.
Similarly, Jovan Buha of The Athletic, writing from the Lakers’ perspective, highlighted their priorities:
- Secure a backcourt player with athleticism and speed, preferably with defensive capabilities.
- Acquire a low-usage two-way wing.
- Bring in another defensive-minded backup big man.
While some objectives align, such as the search for a backcourt player or center, others, like the pursuit of wing reinforcements, diverge, especially considering the Knicks recently acquired OG Anunoby in that position.
Both authors mentioned specific names, with some appearing in both stories, including Dejounte Murray, Bruce Brown Jr., and Terry Rozier. Other players, such as Zach LaVine, Malcolm Brogdon, Jerami Grant, and Alex Caruso, also emerged as common targets.
Adding to the intrigue, reports surfaced over the weekend hinting at Los Angeles and Atlanta nearing a trade for Dejounte Murray, contingent on a third team facilitating the transaction by landing D’Angelo Russell, according to Mike Scotto of HoopsHype.
While the Knicks, according to Scotto, are not prioritizing a trade for Murray this season, the Lakers potentially snatching him from the Hawks could impact the trade landscape ahead of the deadline.
In the case of Bruce Brown, both the Lakers and the Knicks attempted to sign the guard after the Nuggets’ championship run last summer, but both failed. Brown ultimately chose a lucrative two-year deal with the Pacers, with reports suggesting that his preferred destination was Los Angeles had he not signed with Indiana.
As for Terry Rozier, Marc Stein identified him as a trade target for New York in his latest newsletter, and while rumors about interest in Caruso have subsided, early indications from mid-November suggested interest from both the Knicks and Lakers in the point guard, as well as wings DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.
Place your bets, P&Ters, and welcome back to the golden era of the NBA’s Big Market, where it feels like a revisit to the extraordinary ’70s is on the horizon.
