In the two decades since 1999’s Cinderella Run, the Knicks are well positioned for another title shot if Joel Embiid makes his way to New York.
The Knicks have been pinned as favorites for tournament MVP and two-time scoring champion in a potentially huge trade after Embiid’s interview in which he discussed his future made the rounds on social media.
In a July 13 interview with Maverick Carter discussing the launch of the Miniature Géant studio, Embiid spoke about the prospect of playing for another team for the first time in his NBA career.
“I just want to win a championship, whatever it takes,” the NBA MVP told Carter. “I don’t know where that will be — whether it’s in Philly or anywhere else — I just want to have a chance at it. I want to see what it feels like to win first, and then you think about the next. It’s not easy. It takes more than one or two or Three guys. You have to have good people around you. Every day, I work hard to be at this level so that I can produce and achieve it. Every day I work towards that goal.”
If a starless James Harden is traded in return, Embiid could be the next to demand a trade that signals the Sixers rebuild.
The Knicks have shown restraint in trade talks involving lesser-known stars as if they were reserving all their trade chips for a star like Embiid to become available.
ESPN’s Tim McMahon said on the May 15 episode of “The Lowe Post” podcast that the Knicks believed that putting Joel Embiid on that list with Jalen Brunson as the second-best player would give them a legitimate chance at winning championships.
What a Joel Embiid trade might look like
Embiid’s supermax rollover kicks on a four-year, $196 million next season with a $59 million final year player option (2026-27 season).
Any potential trade talks for the 29-year-old All-NBA center, should he ask and the Sixers agree to a deal with him in the offseason, would likely require more than what the Phoenix Suns paid for 34-year-old Kevin Durant, who was also on a similar deal for two years. Four years – Four unprotected first-round draft picks, one trade, and two young players (Michal Bridges and Cam Johnson).
The Knicks have eight tradeable draft picks and a mix of young players, making them solid favorites.
Stephen Curry speaks highly of Donte DiVincenzo
Stephen Curry has spoken glowingly of former Golden State Warriors teammate Donte DiVincenzo, who secured a four-year, $50 million deal with the Knicks in free agency.
“The Knicks got a good one and I’m glad he got his fair share of the CBA too,” Curry said of his former teammate via the New York Daily News.
DiVincenzo was a vital cog in the Warriors’ bench last season, averaging 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals on 39.7 percent shooting as one of their highest reserves last season.
He reunited with former Villanova teammates Jalen Bronson and Josh Hart in New York.