The Knicks are one of the teams trying to sign Dejounte Murray.

The New York Knicks are actively looking into possible trades in order to bolster their roster and go from being a playoff team to a title contender. One player they have their eye on is Dejounte Murray, the wing for the Atlanta Hawks.

Murray recently inked a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the Hawks in July, and the Knicks and a few other teams have shown exploratory trade interest in him.

Murray can’t be traded until January 9, so it’s still unclear how likely it is that the Hawks will let him go. The Knicks are thinking about other options besides Murray, like trading for Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby. Anunoby’s possible trade could come with its own set of difficulties because previous trade requests involving Knicks forward RJ Barrett did not result in significant transactions.

A major asset to the Hawks, Dejounte Murray is renowned for his adaptability and powerful play. He averages 20 points, 5.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. The Knicks are evaluating the possibility of obtaining Murray because they are aware of his abilities and how well he would complement Jalen Brunson in their backcourt.

The Knicks’ efforts to assemble a strong roster are evidence of their dedication to developing impact players. The complexities of possible trades, such as contractual specifics and the Hawks’ or Raptors’ willingness to part with important players, add layers of difficulty to the negotiating process.

The Knicks have one clear goal in mind as they negotiate the trade market: acquiring players who can make a big impact on their success in the fiercely competitive NBA. In order to establish themselves as serious playoff contenders, the Knicks will need to make calculated decisions to strengthen their roster and deal with the issues that have come up throughout the season as the trade deadline draws near.

The addition of Dejounte Murray would certainly bolster the New York Knicks’ roster, but it’s possible that this move won’t be the one that puts them ahead of the pack in the fiercely competitive Eastern Conference. Known for his adaptability and strong play, Murray would be a great addition to the team with Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson. The Knicks’ current roster does, however, already feature a number of stars; perhaps they are just missing the real superstar presence that would help them contend for a championship.

In a conference that is dominated by elite teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks, the Knicks must focus on landing a true superstar. None of Randle, Murray, or Brunson are considered transcendent players who are capable of leading a team to the pinnacles of performance.

The East is a very competitive league, and the Knicks need to have strategic vision to overcome the obstacles that elite teams present. Murray is a valuable addition, but he might not be the missing element needed to turn the Knicks into title favorites. Rather, the organization ought to give top priority to investigating opportunities to acquire a genuine superstar who can act as the catalyst for their championship ambitions.