Knicks, Knicks trade, Knicks trade rumors
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Jalen Brunson #11 and head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks talk during game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on January 03, 2026 in New York City.
The New York Knicks are reportedly seeking ball-handling and shooting depth to play behind Jalen Brunson and shore up the second unit of Jordan Clarkson, Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson ahead of their playoff run.
One name who has emerged as a possible target is Miami Heat’s Simone Fontecchio, who began the season in scorching form but has recently struggled to find a role in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation. According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, the Knicks, who are exploring ways to move Guerschon Yabusele and second-year wing Pacome Dadiet, have a feasible pathway to land the Italian Fontecchio.
Edwards noted that the Knicks are expected to shop a package of Yabusele, Dadiet and the Wizards‘ 2026 protected first-round pick — likely to turn into multiple second-rounders — with hopes of landing a useful piece by the NBA trade deadline.
Knicks Trade Target: Simone Fontecchio
“It’s not out of the realm of possibilities for the salaries of Yabusele and Dadiet, along with that pick and/or other second-round picks, being enough to land New York a player of some quality,” Edwards reported on Wednesday.
“For example, and this is just to paint a picture, the Knicks could move Yabusele, Dadiet and a second-round pick or two to the Heat for Simone Fontecchio. The sharpshooting Miami swingman, who has been in and out of the Heat rotation as of late after a solid start to the season, is owed $8.3 million this season.”
Fontecchio is making 1.7 threes per game at a clip of 36.4% for the Heat this season, while averaging 8.0 points from 16.1 minutes. Through October and November, he averaged nearly 19 minutes per game while attempting 5.6 threes per game, emerging as a key piece of the Heat’s second unit. However, the recent rise of players such as Pelle Larsson and Dru Smith has led to the Italian getting DNP’ed frequently.
Knicks Seeking Ball-Handler: Report
In other Knicks trade rumors, the franchise is in the market for ball-handlers and a possible third-string big to play behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, as they shop Yabusele, Dadiet and a second-round pick, per Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico.
“League sources indicate New York is prioritizing a player who can handle the ball and defend, with additional chatter about adding a reliable third-string big as insurance for Robinson,” Amico reported on Wednesday.
It’s worth noting that the Knicks will soon get a major reinforcement in the form of Landry Shamet, who has sidelined since November with a shoulder injury. The veteran guard is reportedly in the final stages of his rehab progress and engaged in a full practice session on Wednesday, per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. While he’s unlikely to return for Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, Shamet could reportedly be back for Saturday’s tie against the Phoenix Suns.
The Knicks have lost six of their last eight games, which includes a 112-101 loss to the lowly Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Their midseason funk could cost them a valuable playoff seeding and even homecourt advantage in the playoffs.