New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Knicks trade rumors, Lakers trade rumors, Knicks news, Lakers news, Knicks trade targets
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Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks takes a moment before the opening tipoff against the LA Clippers at Madison Square Garden on January 07, 2026 in New York City.
The New York Knicks had a near-dream start to the seasonwith a strong record and winning the 2025 NBA Cup, but over the past two weeks, things have taken a slight downturn, and the possibility ofthem adding more depth through a trade looksmore and more likely.
The core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby all feel pretty safe, as well as Mitchell Robinson, considering what he brings to the table in terms of offensive rebounding and rim protection.
But besides that, the Knicks need more depth, specifically at the guard position, and the latest report indicates they will target Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings through a trade, a player the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked heavily to over the past week.
“The 6-foot-4 guard is skinny but plays with great energy defensively and has good hand-eye coordination. New York could use a bigger guard in its rotation,”James L. Edwards wrote for The Athletic on Ellis. “Offensively, Ellis should be able to survive as a catch-and-shoot option as hedoesn’t have a great handle and creation on the ball, which is another weakness on theKnicks’ roster.”
While New York has Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson as backcourt players in MikeBrown’s rotation, over the past few weeks,it’s become clear that they need to add more defensive depth to have a chance at winning four playoff rounds in a row.
Knicks Expected To Target Keon Ellis
Ellis fits what New York needs, on anextremely low price tag.
At the same time, the team seems to be growing in frustration with offseason signee Guerschon Yabusele. The French national team captainhasn’t been as advertised through the first two and a half months of the season, and while he has a much bigger contract than Ellis, he couldbe used as a trade piece for the wing.
Evan Sidery
The Knicks are shopping Guerschon Yabusele during trade season for a rotational upgrade.
After a strong season with the Sixers, Yabusele has been a disappointment in New York.
Yabusele’s $5.5 million salary is easily absorbable for teams in need of forward depth.
“From a money standpoint, Ellis would be easy for the Knicks to take on.He’s only making $2.3 million this year. Ellis and Doug McDermott for Yabusele and some second-round picks would get it done on paper,”Edwards wrote.
However, the Knicks would likely have to outbid the Lakers, who, after getting bad news on their other top trade targets, have appeared to shift their focus to Ellis as well, in hopes of fixing their major defensive issues.
In a mock trade recently published by ESPN, Los Angeles gave up Dalton Knecht and a 2032 second-round pick, which, despite the restricted assets New York has, would be pretty easy to beat.
Through his first four seasons with the Kings, Ellis has been considered an underutilized player on their mix-and-match roster filled with guards.This season, he is averaging just 5.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists on 38.5% shooting in 17.9 minutes in 35games, but has shown potential to come in and help a title-contending team.
Knicks Trade Rumors
Along with Ellis, the Knicks have alsobeen rumored to be interested in Jose Alvarado of the New Orleans Pelicans and Ochai Agbaji of the Toronto Raptors. Alvarado would be a backup for Brunson, who could be a spark plug for the second unit, while Agbaji could play behind Bridges and Anunoby.
Evan Sidery
Contending teams are monitoring the impending availability of Jose Alvarado during trade season.
Alvarado’s cheap $4.5 million salary makes him a very realistic target for teams in need of guard help.
The Pelicans will open up business for official trade talks on December 15th.
Both would likely have similar price tags to Ellis, nothing too major, but enough tomake NewYork’s front office decideif giving up a player like Yabusele and other assets would be worth it.
However, as seen in their recent performances, this Knicks teamdoesn’t look like it can win the Finals.Towns’ performance has dropped, Hart hasbeen injured, and the team has recently lost four games in a row after previously winning 11in a 12-game stretch.
Landry Shamet and Miles McBride could be on the chopping block, considering the valuethey’ve shown in limited action, but at the same time, sending either of them out would only be worth it if the Knicks know they are getting more value back in return.
For the time being, Ellis and Alvarado are likely their best bets.The Lakers will be targeting the former, and as seen in the past,general managerRob Pelinka has proven lethal in the trade market.
Knicks owner James Dolan recently said he believes this currently constructed team can win the Finals after deciding not to raise a banner for their NBA Cup championship, but as the days go on, New York certainlyshouldn’t rule out what appears to be available in a trade.