The Knicks are looking to build a contender this season.
While there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done to create a legitimate championship contender, it’s unrealistic to expect the franchise to move from basement dwellers to title favorites overnight.
The first step is to re-establish themselves as a post-season team. New York has often fallen into the trap of thinking that their market will be enough to attract free agent superstars. We thought LeBron James would be drawn to the lights of Madison Square Garden. We thought the same of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. That is until they dismissed the Knicks for a Nets squad with an established post-season roster.
The Knicks cannot pin all their hopes on making a grand slam home run in the form of an MVP free agent contract. They need to show the best players that they have a good culture and the potential to win.
After breaking into the playoff field, the team should then set their sights on the home court. Then, perhaps, the team will earn a seat at the table with the future free agents.
The exchange for Rose signaled a clear emphasis on advantage. The team no longer waits for outside players or lottery ping-pong balls to decide their fate. They are building a depth chart with a focus on competition. Now!
A trade for McCollum would take this trend to a new level. They would have a legitimate backcourt and, depending on the pieces being swapped, a strong center position led by Robinson or a skilled wing point manned by a combination of Toppin, Barrett or Knox.
This type of move would immediately help the Knicks establish themselves as a threat in the East.