Bill Simmons 'Guarantee' Places Superstar With Knicks in 2024
The Sports Guy's attempt to become The Sports Seer will certainly intrigue New York Knicks fans.
In the latest edition of his eponymous podcast on FanDuel, Simmons believes that the Knicks' roster is due for a major addition, personally assuring New Yorkers that either Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Donovan Mitchell would take to the Madison Square Garden hardwood come the 2024-25 season's tip-off.
“They’ll get one of those three guys, I guarantee," Simmons, well-known for his love of the Knicks' rivals from Boston, said. "Giannis, Embiid, or Mitchell will be on that team a year from now.”
The Knicks have lingered in the transactional gossip for each of those elite talents but none of them have made their way to Manhattan unless their respective employers are in town for a road game. Each star's future, however, is far from settled.
Embiid, for example, unintentionally started a rumor firestorm when he remarked about the possibility of winning a championship with his current group in Philadelphia or "anywhere else." While the reigning NBA MVP appears ready to play out next season with the 76ers despite the additional drama brought about by the ongoing James Harden saga, both he and Antetokounmpo could be persuaded to search for new dwellings if their respective organizations in Philadelphia and Milwaukee don't get any closer to title contention.
Meanwhile, Knicks fans need little reminder of Mitchell's situation: the Knicks lingered in last summer's trade discussions to pry the Empire State native out of Utah but he was instead dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Mitchell said to be reluctant to sign a long-term deal with the Cavs, some feel that the Knicks might have another opportunity to create a homecoming.
In either case, the Knicks can perhaps enhance their chances of landing a superstar if they build upon last year's success, which yielded their most lucrative season in a decade. With Jalen Brunson and All-Star Julius Randle leading the way, the Knicks won 47 games and their first playoff series since 2013 over Mitchell and the Cavs.