The proposed trade would send Naji Marshall to the New York Knicks
Getty
The proposed trade would send Naji Marshall to the New York Knicks
It’s been a bumpy few weeks for the New York Knicks. Mike Brown’s roster has won just three of its last 10 games.
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline less than two weeks away, the Knicks may look to the trade market to try to shore things up, especially in the front court. And, with that in mind, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn has proposed a trade that would land Naji Marshall in New York.
The proposed trade looks like this:
New York Knicks Get: Naji Marshall
Dallas Mavericks Get: Guerschon Yabusele, Pacôme Dadiet, 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick (via Celtics), 2032 second-round pick
Brooklyn Nets Get: Landry Shamet, 2028 second-round pick (less favorable of Pacers and Suns)
“There’s not too much the Knicks can do from a matching salary perspective. They’re basically limited to Yabusele, Dadiet and a minimum throw-in, which should get them a player in the $9 million range,” Quinn wrote. “They probably have enough second-rounders to send to Dallas for Marshall if the Mavericks make him available…The Knicks could use one extra big wing defender for their bench, and Marshall can do enough with the ball in his hands to survive offensively as well. The Nets are along for the ride as cap facilitators.”
Marshall, 27, is playing an important role for the Mavericks this season, playing in 42 games, 19 of them as a starter. He’s averaging 14 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 54.3% from the field.
Knicks Reportedly Interested In Front Court Help
According to a Jan. 15 report from NBA Insider Jake Fischer, via The Stein Line Newsletter, the Knicks are “exploring their options” regarding potential help in the front court.
“Chatter about the Knicks’ interest in veteran guard help has been prevalent since the offseason,” Fischer reported. “But I also keep hearing that they have been exploring their options to bolster frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as well.”
Marshall would undoubtedly provide depth, while also offering two-way impact. Furthermore, at 27, he’s entering the prime of his career, meaning once acclimated, the Knicks would be getting the best version of the talented forward. That is assuming they choose to target a forward rather than a guard.
The Knicks Are Open To Trading Yabusele
According to Forbes’NBA Insider, Evan Sidery, the Knicks have now begun shopping Yabusele ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“The Knicks are shopping Guerschon Yabusele during trade season for a rotational upgrade,” Sidery reported via X. “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.”
Yabusele joined the Knicks during the summer, after an impressive season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately for New York, Yabusele has struggled to fit into Brown’s system, thus finding his role with the team limited.
If the Knicks are willing to move on from Yabusele, then Quinn’s trade proposal would make sense. Dallas would get a versatile power forward, while the Knicks would get a talent who fits their system and can split time between the bench and starting units.