This past summer in the NBA was one that didn’t involve much drama, or at least not as much as many expected.
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The offseason started with a bang when the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, which is sure to shake up the league. However, outside of that, there weren’t many league-altering moves.
Many players found new homes via free agency, but outside of that, nothing of major significance happened. Rosters are set with preseason basketball underway this week, and the excitement is palpable.
While the season is upon us, that doesn’t mean a trade is not on the horizon. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report concocted this massive three-team trade involving the New York Knicks that he says could be league-shattering.
In this three-team trade, which involves the Knicks, Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, sees the Knicks acquire 24-year-old guard Justin Champagnie from the Wizards.
“New York Knicks Receive: Justin Champagnie
Utah Jazz Receive: Pacome Dadiet
Washington Wizards Receive: Kevin Love, 2026 first-round pick (its own*, via New York) $1.8 million cash (via Utah)”
“Since finding his footing in Washington, Champagnie has routinely checked one of the opposition’s two best players while delivering some help-side rim protection. He has also caught teams off-guard with his offensive rebounding and drilled threes at a respectable clip (almost 42 percent on spot-up triples last year).
“This trade doesn’t just see the Knicks acquire wing depth. It sees them land someone who could feasibly close games over Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson if Mike Brown has to preserve five-out spacing.”
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In this three-team trade, the Knicks shore up their backcourt by adding Champagnie, who has shown to be a solid player in the league.
The soon-to-be fifth-year guard is coming off a season in which he did solidly with the lowly Wizards. In 62 games last season, Champagnie averaged 8.8 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steals while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three in 21.6 minutes of action.
The Knicks have legitimate championship aspirations this season, and while Champagnie isn’t a big name, he could be a difference-maker when it is all said and done.
The Knicks have legitimate championship aspirations this season, and while Champagnie isn’t a big name, he could be a difference-maker when it is all said and done.
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