Knicks guard Miles McBride and Wizards guard Cam Whitmore
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Miles McBride of the New York Knicks and Cam Whitmore of the Washington Wizards.
The New York Knicks have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo since the offseason. However, it seems like they are not going to pursue the Milwaukee Bucks superstar for now, based on team owner James Dolan’s recent comments.
With the Knicks struggling recently, they might need to bolster their roster ahead of a playoff push. Their fanbase has high expectations due to the perception that the Eastern Conference is wide open this season. They expect the Knicks to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
New York currently sits second in the East at 24-13, though they only had five wins in their last 10 games.
3-Team Trade Gives Knicks Cam Whitmore
ESPN’s Zach Kram, Kevin Pelton and Bobby Marks listed six trade proposals that would help a bunch of teams heading into the second half of the season. The deal involving the New York Knicks would mostly benefit the San Antonio Spurs. However, it could help the Knicks with their dilemma about their final roster spot.
Let’s look at the three-team trade proposal that also involves the Washington Wizards:
Knicks get:Cam Whitmore from WSH
Wizards get:Jeremy Sochan from SAS
Spurs get:Guerschon Yabusele from NYK and a 2026 second-round pick (via PHX) from WSH
Yabusele’s time in the Big Apple has been disappointing, so sending him to San Antonio to play with a familiar face in Victor Wembanyama helps both franchises.
For the Wizards, they get a solid frontcourt player in Sochan, who needs a fresh start. They have a bloated backcourt rotation, so Whitmore’s absence won’t be felt that much.
As for the Knicks, it’s all about the financial benefits of getting rid of Yabusele’s contract, with Whitmore as an added bonus. He’s a dynamic scorer, athletic, and can get hot at any time, which is the prototypical sixth man skillset.
“The motivation for New York is financial. Signing Yabusele hard-capped the Knicks at the second luxury tax apron, giving them no ability to fill out their roster. Moving him for a smaller salary would enable New York to sign a 15th player immediately. Any production the Knicks get from Whitmore is a bonus,” Pelton wrote.
Knicks Need a Center
With Guerschon Yabusele not working out in New York, the Knicks’ priority should be to go after a new big man. But as long as Yabusele is under contract or the front office doesn’t make any moves, the Knicks can’t add a player because they are a second apron team.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the recent play of backup guard Tyler Kolek gives the Knicks the green light to pursue a center if their cap space opens up.
“I’m curious, though, if Tyler Kolek‘s play forces them to look more at center upgrades. You know, someone to have in the stable in the bullpen behind (Karl-Anthony Towns), behind Mitch Robinson, because Guerschon Yabusele just has not been that after being a pretty key free agent signing this past summer,” Fischer said.
If the Knicks do what ESPN suggested, they’ll have enough cap space to sign a player to a veteran’s minimum. Some names available to get signed include Charles Bassey, Bol Bol, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Mo Bamba.