Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Knicks: 5 deals that would make them instant contenders

By James Kattato

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles in front of Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 05, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles in front of Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 05, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns. New York Knicks. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns. New York Knicks. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Devin Booker gets his shot

This is a deal that I can see coming together for a few reasons. By the time this trade would come to fruition, both teams would have a good idea of where they stand. The All-Star break will only be a few months away but generally, it easy to tell early if a team is going to be able to contend.

I can’t see that team being the Phoenix Suns. As much as I love the youth and overall construction of this team led by Devin Booker, the Suns are not developed enough as players to be able to make that jump yet. Their star shouldn’t have to wait for his teammates to catch up.

Although he’s never been selected to an All-Star Game, D-Book is an all-star. He’s the youngest player to ever score at least 70 points in a single game and is a career 21 PPG scorer. This past season, he averaged 26.6 PPG, 6.8 APG, and 4.1 RPG. For a primary Shooting Guard, Booker is surprisingly well-rounded.

The former Kentucky Wildcats star is a career 35 percent three-point shooter and is a massive catch and shoot threat. He’s a once in a generation type of talent and I think the only thing holding him back from making that all-star jump is a change in scenery. What better way to make that change than moving to Madison Square Garden?

This is why fan voting for the All-Star Game can be a great thing and a bad thing. Not many people go out of their way to watch Phoenix games on a nightly basis unless they are avid fans of the team. In return, there are plenty of people who are not as educated on a player because of the fact that he plays for a smaller market team. This results in the player automatically being put at a disadvantage and neither Booker nor the Suns deserve that.

The 22-year-old is going into his fifth season in the NBA. Phoenix has treated him well but not as well as the New York Knicks could treat him. Booker would be a superstar in the Mecca of basketball and would light up MSG on a nightly basis with his exciting offensive game.

For his personal career accolades, he would give himself a better chance to win. The Knicks are just as young as Phoenix, they play in the weaker Eastern Conference and adding a talent like Booker would propel them into the playoff picture easily.

This move just makes sense. The Suns would receive a huge package in return for their franchise player. I don’t think they would feel the effects too badly in the long term. For Booker’s sake, get him out of the Valley of the Sun before Phoenix wastes his prime years and he can’t give another team his best play on the court.

Home/New York Knicks