On February 14, Beijing time, the Knicks changed from last season's big dark horse team to only 12th in the East this season, which is undoubtedly quite painful. According to the New York Post, the Knicks have been paying attention to Lillard, this summer or with Barrett + Lotto signing to chase Lillard, but also said that last year had the opportunity to sign DeRozan, but finally "hit the eye" that DeRozan will be eliminated and did not sign.
The Knicks were certainly out of the playoffs last season, but finished 4th in the East in the regular season and became the big dark horse team, while core Randall won the fastest improvement award and also received a large contract extension in the offseason.
Only so far this season, the Knicks have only a bad record of 25 wins and 32 losses, only 12th in the East, 1.5 wins behind the Hawks in 10th place and 7.5 wins behind the 6th-place Celtics.
The Knicks have had a hard time storming playoff spots this season, and according to the New York Post, the Knicks have targeted this summer's market, and they have been working on Lillard, who has now completed surgery, after all, the Blazers have peddled most of the main force.
The Knicks believe signing Walker has failed, and the team needs to find a core point guard in the future. According to a league executive, if the Knicks want to trade Lillard, they will send a good Barrett, plus a good lottery pick.
In addition, the Knicks were exposed to the opportunity to sign DeRozan last offseason, but in the end they looked at it like the Lakers, and the team's top decision maker at the time, William Wesley (vice president and consultant of the team), believed that DeRozan at that time was closer to the eliminated veteran than the All-Star level player.
It's just that DeRozan's performance this season is obvious to all, he became an All-Star starter, and also led the Bulls to second place in the East, no doubt punching the Knicks and Lakers management decision-makers. You know, DeRozan and Lillard's good friends, if they could sign DeRozan in the first place, there is no doubt more hope for attracting Lillard to join.
(Drunken Lying Floating Life)