Knicks have been ‘preparing with assets’ to make big trade

At what cost, though? That remains the question.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks are looking to move closer to the top of the Eastern Conference by swinging a bigger deal. If not this season, then this summer.

“The Knicks have been preparing themselves with draft assets and the development of young players to make the kind of big trade necessary to move into the elite of the Eastern Conference and NBA,” Wojnarowski wrote during his weekly Wednesday chat on Threads, the Twitter-like platform from Instagram.

“I don’t think they feel a need to force that at the trade deadline, but I do think they’re anxious to find that deal by the offseason.”

Entering Wednesday night, the Knicks (13-9) sit in third place in the Atlantic Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference. That changes daily, though, as the race is tight and likely to stay that way.

For now, they are relying on the likes of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett to advance further than the second round of the playoffs, a feat achieved last season. They look about the same this year.

Will New York do anything to put itself up there with the Bostons and Milwaukees of the world? Well, it seems as if, yes, the Knicks will at least try.