NY Knicks News: Miss out on Donovan Mitchell as Russell Westbrook linked

08/09/2022 09:59
NY Knicks News: Miss out on Donovan Mitchell as Russell Westbrook linked

With the NBA season fast approaching and less than a month to go, the New York Knicks would have wished they were in a better position in order to challenge this year

With the NBA season fast approaching and less than a month to go, the New York Knicks would have wished they were in a better position in order to challenge this year.

Indeed, the organization has had trouble in making big moves this offseason, however, with time still on their side in regard to training camp and its start date, there could still be some options the team from New York could look to explore.

In this article, we will take a look at the latest news stories surrounding the Knicks and explore what they could potentially mean for the franchise ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Knicks missed out on Donovan Mitchell despite feeling as though they had a better trade proposal

If anyone had wanted a snapshot of what had been happening with the Knicks over the offseason, then perhaps the situation regarding a trade for Donovan Mitchell is the best indicator of how tough things have been for the NBA team.

Indeed, Mitchell has already been on the move as he has subsequently been traded by the Utah Jazz to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, New York believes their trade proposals were better than the one that was eventually accepted.

According to sources close to New York Daily News’ Stefan Body, the organization had felt their proposal which included RJ Barrett was the better deal, however it had been believed that the Jazz were not interested in him initially. Later down the line, it was reported that Utah had started to take an interest, but the return of Cleveland to the table led to the team getting an alternative deal that was not described as being used as a form leverage to tempt the Knicks into offering more.

In order for Mitchell to head to Cleveland, the Cavs gave up three unprotected first-round picks, while they also gave up Collin Sexton as well as Lauri Markkanen, and Ochai Agbaji.

The failed move for Mitchell, though, could have had a bigger cost, too, as it is thought they may also miss out on bringing Carmelo Anthony back to the Big Apple. It had been reported that there may have been mutual interest if that trade had happened, however that now appears unlikely.

Cam Reddish wants out of New York

With just weeks ahead of us before the start of the NBA Training Camp, the Knicks could have done without some headaches this close to the season. However, as we all know, there is still one player on the roster that wants to leave the team and be traded.

That player is Cam Reddish, as he does not envision being able to get a bigger role in the organization, thus is seeking an alternative franchise where he can feel as though he is bettering his career. For some, it is hardly a surprise given his relationship with Tom Thibodeau, as the coach had not initially wanted him when he was traded to New York in the first place.

Naturally, there will have been many that will have been hoping the small forward would have been able to improve the team following his trade from the Atlanta Hawks in January 2022. However, he managed just 15 games with no starts before suffering a season-ending right shoulder injury in March, thus leaving those that were betting on him to perform for the team feeling a little underwhelmed.

Now, with the Caesars NY sportsbook odds for the season already available, many of those who would have been considering wagering on Reddish to have a breakout season for the franchise in his first full year might want to reconsider their options.

Indeed, the player could have been a wonderful option for punters in New York who would be interested in placing prop bets such as points total, but it seems he could be leaving the East Coast and heading across the US to the West Coast if rumors are to be believed.

LA Lakers are interested as rumors circulate about Russell Westbrook

According to the latest rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers are said to be interested in making a move for Reddish following his decision to ask for a trade. The Lakers are known to be admirers of the small forward, as they attempted to make a trade for him at the deadline last season.

Given that he is only 23, it is clear the small forward has plenty of untapped potential and can still provide the team he is on with a lot of versatility and ability when on the basketball court. However, if he does head to LA, then he might not be teaming up with one of those that are currently on the Lakers’ roster.

The Knicks are supposedly interested in acquiring Russell Westbrook and are thought to be keeping tabs on the situation. The Lakers fans are unhappy with what he has been able to produce on the court and are keen to see him traded, and according to Ian Begley of SNY, New York is a destination that could be explored.

Westbrook has been linked with a move to the East Coast before and it would not be a surprise if we were to see rumors intensify further over the course of the next few weeks now that the franchise missed out on Mitchell to the Cavs. It must be stated that there is no confirmed interest at the moment, but it is a story that is certainly worth watching.

Final Thoughts

Clearly, the New York Knicks have had some trouble this offseason in acquiring players and making the moves that they want. They have only managed to sign Jalen Brunson and re-sign RJ Barrett in their biggest moves thus far, and the promising start that was made is turning into a replica of the last five years.

Hopefully, things start to turn around for the Knicks quickly and they are able to get their roster sorted ahead of the upcoming 2022/23 NBA campaign, otherwise, it would not be a surprise if they were to miss out on the playoffs for a second successive year in a row.

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