Can a Knicks Championship Run be a Blueprint for the Trail Blazers?

Following their historical comeback win in Wednesday's NBA Finals game against the Spurs, the Knicks lead the series 3-1 and are on the verge of their first championship since 1973. In his first season with the Knicks, Mike Brown reached his second NBA Finals and his first since the 2006-2007 season, when his Cleveland Cavaliers team was swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Notably, the Knicks do not have a player on their roster with first-team All-NBA honors. With the right coaching hire and key trades and free agent acquisitions, the Portland Trail Blazers can absolutely use the Knicks' roster construction as a blueprint for building a championship contender.

Of the primary playoff contributors for the Knicks, Mitchell Robinson was drafted by the team, and Miles McBride was acquired via a draft night trade. All other contributors were acquired by trade or free agency. Jalen Brunson, a former second-round draft pick, signed with the Knicks after Dallas declined to match his offer sheet and has unquestionably become the superstar cornerstone of the roster. The Blazers currently are looking for a superstar to build around and can acquire one if they are willing to part with draft picks and young talent to become a facilitator in a trade that sends Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Boston Celtics. Acquiring Jaylen Brown would ease pressure on Damian Lillard as he returns from a severe Achilles injury and allow the soon-to-be 36-year-old to be a primary ball handler and facilitator.

O.G. Anunoby has become Mr. Do-It-All for the Knicks throughout the playoffs, culminating in his key block on a DeAaron Fox layup and his game-winning putback, both of which helped the Knicks pull off the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. The Blazers have a player on their roster who can fill the Anunoby role in Toumani Camara, whom Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz believes could develop into one of the best wings in the league.

At 6'7", he has the size and athleticism to defend nearly every position," Swartz writes. "Camara's defense is perhaps only topped by his durability, as he's missed just four total games the past two seasons, including zero so far this year. Offensively, most of his work is done outside the arc. Camara is up to 37.0 percent from three on a healthy 7.1 attempts per game while averaging a career-high 13.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game."

Donovan Clingan does not currently project to become an All-NBA-level center like Karl-Anthony Towns, but he fits what the Blazers need in the middle. His rebounding and defensive presence allow for wings Deni Avdija and Camara to spread the floor. 

While a starting lineup of Lillard, Brown, Camara, Avdija, and Clingan likely isn't enough to become a championship contender in year one with a new head coach like the Knicks, it is a start to building a championship contender. The Blazers need to address their three-point shooting issues by adding additional shooters and having Avdija develop that part of his game. If Portland can do this and add other quality role players, fans can expect to see deeper playoff runs sooner rather than later.