Adding without subtracting the Knicks is critical in any trade. A team currently built on defensive instincts and chemistry will modify this approach in each of these scenarios.
Embiid is the hardest to evaluate, given his MVP status. A legacy being built by Embiid would maintain hesitation on his part.
Picking Towns would align him with defensive-minded coach Thibodeau, developing a much-needed defensive mindset in Towns.
Trading for Mitchell answers the question of guard depth in the current regime. The Knicks boast the best guard rotation in the entire NBA, and in any case, two of the star guards could be seen on different teams by the end of the season.