Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks trade rumors, Mike Brown
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The New York Knicks are extremely limited as to trades they can make to help stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns lead them a title.
The New York Knicks sit fourth in the East at 12–6, settling into a clearer identity under Mike Brown. Jalen Brunson is healthy again. Karl-Anthony Towns has looked comfortable in his expanded role. Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson have provided timely scoring off the bench. New York has the foundation to compete now, but the next step is tightening the margins of their rotation.
One question continues to follow them into the deadline cycle: who gives the second unit structure when Brunson rests?
Brown has mixed combinations throughout the early season. Tyler Kolek has flashed feel. Deuce McBride continues to defend at a high level. Clarkson and Shamet bring scoring. But none of them fully stabilize possessions the way Mike Brown’s system requires. And according to SNY’s Ian Begley, New York is expected to explore options behind Brunson as part of its deadline evaluation.
One recent trade idea from FanSided’s Dan Favale points the Knicks toward Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu, a player who fits multiple needs without forcing New York to overspend.
StatMuse
Ayo Dosunmu this season:
15.7 PPG 55.4 FG% 46.5 3P% 90.6 FT%
The most points by any player with 50/40/90% splits.
Why Dosunmu Fits What the Knicks Need
Dosunmu is not a traditional floor general, and the Knicks do not need him to be. Under Brown, New York leans on shared creation in the non-Brunson minutes, using combinations of Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and bench scorers to initiate sets. Dosunmu would simply join that mix as another stabilizing option.
His offensive game aligns naturally with the system. He has become a strong downhill attacker, finishes efficiently and continues to grow as a shooter, hitting above 45 percent from deep this year. He plays with pace, keeps the ball moving and helps second units maintain rhythm without dominating touches.
Defensively, his versatility is even more valuable. Dosunmu guards point guards, wings and bigger matchups depending on the assignment. He’s logged real reps this season against larger forwards, a trait New York has missed while OG Anunoby remains sidelined. His presence gives Brown more lineup flexibility and supports a perimeter group that has carried a heavy load.
Elias Schuster
Ayo Dosunmu really has pretty much checked all the boxes you want in a Sixth Man.
His performance vs. DEN was excellent. Shot 8-9 for 21 PTS. Scored from all over the court and was very opportunistic.
Just smart and efficient basketball.
How the Knicks Could Build a Trade
The structure is simple. Guerschon Yabusele becomes trade-eligible on December 15. Packaging his contract with a young player like Kolek or Pacome Dadiet brings New York close to matching salary.
The key is the draft compensation. Dosunmu will hit free agency this summer, which naturally lowers his market value. No team wants to part with a first-round pick for a player who may require a new contract in a few months.
New York is positioned well in that regard. They hold the conditional Wizards obligation that becomes second-round picks in 2026 and 2027. Those picks, paired with a developmental piece, could interest a Chicago team weighing its long-term direction.
Why the Knicks Might Explore It
New York is not searching for a headline move. They are searching for stability. Brunson drives the offense. Bridges and KAT shape the scoring hierarchy. Clarkson and Shamet bring bursts of creation. But the rotation still needs a guard who can defend multiple positions, keep pace steady and support Brown’s system without taking anything off the table.
Dosunmu fits that description. His defensive versatility tightens New York’s perimeter coverage, his spacing keeps the floor balanced and his decisiveness gives the second unit another outlet in late-clock or broken-possession scenarios. Rather than altering the Knicks’ structure, he sharpens it.
Final Word for New York
The Knicks have a clear identity and a roster that continues to grow under Mike Brown. Their next step is refinement rather than overhaul. Dosunmu is not the type of move that shifts the league, but he is the type of addition that helps a contending team sharpen its structure.
These are the decisions that shape playoff rotations, not headlines. Whether the Knicks choose to pursue Dosunmu remains to be seen, but he is the kind of name that stays in the conversation until the final calls of February.