NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 offseason targets for the New York Knicks

By Ian Levy | May 20, 2019

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 06: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors walks to the court prior to Game Four of the Second Round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on May 4, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE, WI – MAY 8: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics speaks to the media Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Kyrie Irving

Rumors have linked Durant and Irving as a package deal headed to New York since early in the season and, given Boston’s ignominious playoff exit and the apparent personal friction on the Celtics roster, he seems almost certain to be gone. Adding Irving may be the most likely of the options on this list but it comes with questions. Irving has now been at the center of bad chemistry situations on two different good teams and failed mightily as a leader of a young team in Boston. He still requires a very certain set of accommodations on offense to be at this best and can absolutely be targeted on defense in a playoff series.

However, his offensive ceiling is still probably worth the risk for New York. They could move Dennis Smith Jr. to the bench or flip him as part of a package for more complementary help. There would inevitably be questions about fit and style of play to solve on their way towards a title but Irving’s talent would certainly put them on that path.

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