Naji Marshall, Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
Getty
Naji Marshall of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks’ lack of remaining draft capital is increasingly shaping — and limiting — their trade deadline options as they look to move French forward Guerschon Yabusele before the Feb. 5 cutoff.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, New York has explored several avenues involving Yabusele, but rising market prices and roster constraints have made meaningful returns difficult to secure.
Knicks Priced Out of Wing Market as Demand Surges
One avenue the Knicks investigated was Dallas Mavericks wing Naji Marshall. However, that pursuit quickly stalled as leaguewide demand for two-way wings continues to spike.
“Due to the lack of wing talent on the trade market this season and the demand for such players increasing, Marshall is expected to drive a significant market,” Siegel reported. “Some league personnel suggest Dallas may be able to fetch a first-round pick when all is said and done.”
That price point effectively removes New York from contention. The Knicks have just one first-round pick available to trade — a 2026 selection via Washington that is top-eight protected. With the Wizards trending toward a high lottery finish, that pick will convey into two future second-round selections.
New York has already exhausted most of its draft capital in acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, leaving little flexibility to compete in bidding wars for coveted wings.
Hard Cap Forces Knicks Into Creative Trade Structures
With Marshall likely unattainable, the Knicks have pivoted to smaller, cap-conscious deals involving Yabusele.
“As the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5 nears, the New York Knicks have actively been discussing several options on the trade market involving French forward Guerschon Yabusele,” Siegel wrote. “The San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans are two teams with which the Knicks have recently held extensive dialogue.”
Because New York is operating under a second-apron hard cap, it cannot take back more salary than it sends out. As a result, the Knicks have explored packaging Yabusele with a minimum-salary player — most notably second-year guard Pacôme Dadiet — to make deals financially workable.
Spurs Cool on Jeremy Sochan Talks
One of New York’s primary targets in those discussions has been Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, whose defensive versatility and slashing ability fit the Knicks’ profile.
“Sochan’s defensive versatility at either forward position and his slashing ability on offense would fit with New York’s style of play,” Siegel reported. “But there has been internal pushback in San Antonio to the idea of trading him.”
Despite falling out of the Spurs’ regular rotation at times, San Antonio continues to value Sochan’s long-term upside and has not signaled a willingness to move him before the deadline. That resistance has caused talks to cool, even with Yabusele’s connection to Victor Wembanyama from their time together with the French national team.
While the Spurs still want added frontcourt depth behind Wembanyama, Siegel noted they are now evaluating alternative options across the market — including potential deals using Kelly Olynyk’s $13.4 million expiring contract.
New York Expands Search to Pelicans Guards, Young Bigs
With San Antonio proving difficult, New York has also engaged New Orleans in trade dialogue.
According to Siegel, the Knicks have maintained interest in defensive-minded guard Jose Alvarado, though competition is stiff. The Rockets, Pistons and Timberwolves have also held discussions with New Orleans about Alvarado’s availability.
Beyond guards, New York has also shown interest in young center Yves Missi.
Speaking on SNY’s The Putback, HoopsHype’s NBA insider Michael Scotto confirmed that Knicks officials have made exploratory calls on both players.
“You don’t make calls on these guys unless there’s some level of interest,” Scotto said, adding that Missi has drawn attention from several teams seeking frontcourt depth.
That list of suitors is growing.
“Yves Missi is generating significant interest on the trade market once the Pelicans were open to fielding offers,” Forbes’ Evan Sidery reported. “The Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Pacers, Raptors and Warriors are among the teams who recently inquired on Missi.”
Knicks Face Narrow Path Ahead of Deadline
With limited draft assets, a hard cap, and rising market prices, the Knicks’ options appear increasingly narrow as the deadline approaches.
While Yabusele remains a logical outgoing piece, New York’s ability to turn him into meaningful rotation help may depend on patience, creativity — or a softening market in the final days before Feb. 5.