Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks could land with the Knicks at the NBA trade deadline.
Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks could land with the Knicks at the NBA trade deadline.
A helpful way to think of the New York Knicks’ approach to the upcoming NBA trade deadline is this: They could go small, medium or large. Conventional wisdom and buzz among executives suggest that the Knicks will certainly do something, it’s just a matter of size–with Giannis Antetokounmpo looming at the top.
There are multiple factors that will determine which path the Knicks take, some of which are out of their hands—they can’t force other teams to make trades those teams don’t want to make, of course.
But there are also the standings in the Eastern Conference. A week ago, the Knicks were looking wobbly, losers of nine games in 11 tries and suddenly within striking distance of a handful of teams behind them. They’ve bounced back to win four straight, moving back into the No. 2 spot in the East and better positioned (6.0 games back) to make a run at the No. 1 Pistons.
And there’s front-office politics. Team president Leon Rose is under the gun here, as owner James Dolan expects this team to be in the NBA Finals. The Knicks changed out coaches, hiring Mike Brown after dumping Rose’s friend, Tom Thibodeau, and there’s questions about whether Brown is the man for the job.
Also, this is Rose’s roster, built by mortgaging future draft picks and popular ex-players. If he tears up this team, it won’t look good for him—and his job could be on the line.
Knicks NBA Trade Deadline Basics
The Knicks are a sliver of salary below the NBA’s second apron, less than $150,000 under it. That means the team can’t take back money in a trade—it needs to send out more salary than it takes in, and needs to leave room to sign players if the roster is short.
As for NBA trade deadline assets, those in the “small” pile will begin with forward Guerschon Yabusele ($5.5 million this year) and Pacome Dadiet ($2.8 million). Tyler Kolek ($2.2 million) and Jordan Clarkson ($2.3 million) have been fringe rotation players who have value around the NBA, so include them.
The “medium” pile is, basically, Mikal Bridges, who is on the books for $25 million this year, but has a contract extension that goes to four years, $150 million after this season (he can’t be traded until February 1 because of that extension). The Knicks could move Mitchell Robinson’s $13 million contract, too, though the Knicks want to keep him and there is little demand for him on the market. Of course, the “large” pile is Karl-Anthony Towns, at $53 million this year and $113 million in the next two years.
The Knicks can’t trade first-round picks, though they can offer swaps in 2026, 2030 and 2032. They also are in line for a bevy of second-rounders, as many as nine in the next three years—including, likely, the Wizards’ second-rounders in 2026 and 2027.
Mikal Bridges, Knicks, NBA Cup Final
GettyMikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks
Knicks NBA Trade Deadline Possibilities
Small. We’ll start here, and certainly, the four-game winning streak has stabilized the team and made a small deal more likely. Packaging some combination of Yabusele, Dadiet and Clarkson or Kolek to take back a $9-10 million player is a likelihood, probably a big guy. It’s possible they could look for a guard, but the need for a center is the most pressing. Possible targets: C Nick Richards, Suns; C Isaiah Jackson, Pacers; C Kevon Looney, Pelicans; C Yves Missi, Pelicans; C Jock Londale, Grizzlies; F Naji Marshall, Mavericks; G Jose Alvarado, Pelicans.
Medium. Mikal Bridges’ numbers have been acceptable this season, with averages of 16.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He has shot 50.5% from the field and 39.8% from the 3-point line, but by his own admission, he has not played great team basketball on both ends, and that’s what the Knicks need. His contract ($25 million) this season allows the Knicks to go after much bigger-name players.
Veteran guard Jrue Holiday, who is 35, has garnered interest from the Knicks and could come to New York on a deal that would send out both Bridges and Robinson, probably without draft compensation exchanging hands. Other possible targets: C Daniel Gafford, Mavericks; C Jusuf Nurkic; C Myles Turner, Bucks; F DeAndre Hunter, Cavaliers; F Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Blockbuster, or a Simple LeBron James Swap
Large. There’s really only one target if the Knicks go “large” at the trade deadline, and it is Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. With a week to go before the trade deadline, the Bucks are said to be finally considering offers for Antetokounmpo in earnest, though there’s no indication he has formally requested a trade. Still, the Knicks would like to land Antetokounmpo, and they’d like to do so now rather than in the summer.
LeBron James
LeBron James … future Knick? Getty
Antetokounmpo is on the books for $54 million, and whether the Knicks can bring him to New York depends entirely on the Bucks’ view of the deal. If they want to cash in on Antetokounmpo and embark on a rebuild, the Knicks have no chance at a deal. But if the Bucks want to stay competitive, a deal built around swapping Towns ($53 million this year) for Antetokounmpo is the best Milwaukee would do.
Contrary to some reports, the Knicks will not trade Towns just to move on from him. They’ll need a star in return, and there’s no bigger star on the market than Antetokounmpo.
But we’ll throw in one other longshot “large” wrinkle that an NBA GM mentioned. There have been whispers that perhaps the Lakers would trade LeBron James, and if they did entertain that notion, James would have to waive his no-trade clause. There are not many teams James would accept a trade to, but the Knicks would be one.
A Towns-LeBron swap would be simple to execute, but seismic in its impact.