The 2024-25 NBA season has been a mixed bag for the New York Knicks. On one hand, they possess a top three record in the Eastern Conference, separating themselves from the pack a decent bit. On the other hand, there are significant doubts regarding whether they are really a title contender in this campaign.
The Knicks have notably struggled against the very best that the NBA has to offer. They possess a cumulative record of 0-9 versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024-25. Those teams are the ones currently residing in the top two seeds in both conferences.
If the Knicks fail to do much of anything this season, they will head for an offseason that will have a handful of question marks. Notably among those decisions will be what the team does with Mikal Bridges.
The two-way wing is nearing the end of his current deal and due for a new one to keep him in town. With that in mind, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report suggested a trade idea for this offseason that would allow the Knicks some additional cap relief moving forward, while also maintaining a competitive team for the present.
The proposed trade goes as follows.
Knicks receive: Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith.
Lakers receive: OG Anunoby
Swartz state this as the rationale for the trade: "Owed an average of $44 million over the next four years, Anunoby has become a very expensive role player for the Knicks. Trading him makes it easier to sign Bridges to a long-term deal and avoid running the starters into the ground during the regular season."
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Anunoby has averaged 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists during 57 appearances for the Knicks this season, with shooting splits of 47-36-79.
It would feel somewhat odd to see New York move on from their defensive star after locking him up just one offseason ago. Anunoby is the type of low-maintenance, two-way piece that every contender would love to have on their roster. The financial implications of the proposed deal are understandable, but whether this helps push the Knicks closer to a title is questionable.
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This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 12:24 PM.