The New York Knicks have already started their offseason off with a bang as they decided to move on from head coach Tom Thibodeau despite making the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
This was a shocking move by the Knicks and now they enter the summer as the only team in the league searching for a new head coach.
While their head coaching vacancy is their top priority this offseason, the Knicks may also elect to make some changes to their roster after they had multiple of their stars struggle throughout the playoffs despite reaching the Conference Finals.
Karl Anthony-Towns of the Knicks.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
One player who has drawn criticism is Karl-Anthony Towns, mainly due to his poor defensive play in the postseason.
Because of this, Towns has entered trade rumors and Sports Illustrated’s Owen O’Connor recently created a mock trade that would send the star center to the Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal that involves Kevin Durant.
In the trade, the Knicks would acquire Kevin Durant from the Suns and Nick Smith Jr. from the Charlotte Hornets.
Phoenix would add Towns, Josh Green, a 2026 first-round pick via Charlotte and two second-round picks from New York while the Hornets would receive Grayson Allen, Miles McBride, a 2025 second-round pick and 2026 first-round pick from the Knicks.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
This would truly be a blockbuster trade to kick off the offseason and one that is unlikely to happen as the Knicks will likely elect to keep Towns on their roster.
If that changes though, swapping him for Durant could be a good move for the team as they would add another superstar next to Jalen Brunson.
Of course, Durant has been linked to the Knicks for the last few seasons and with him likely on the move this summer, New York could swap Towns for him, which would benefit both teams.
Despite this, the Knicks will likely keep Towns on their roster next season as they try to upgrade their bench and make another deep playoff run.