Grading 10 Knicks Trade Ideas

The NBA trade deadline is 22 days away, and while this year (probably) won’t have a Luka-level megabomb, some major names headline the rumors.

As it pertains to the Knicks, we’ve discussed Giannis Antetokounmpo already, and 50% of newsletter subscribers who voted said they absolutely do want the Greek Freak in New York. Well, we have a trade idea for you to ponder below.

Realistically, the Knicks’ front office will shuffle through smaller names (and salaries) to plug holes in the roster. As fans have predicted since the second month of the season, Guerschon Yabusele and Pacôme Dadiet are the likeliest candidates to be shipped for new talent before the Knicks’ first official “Finals or Bust” playoff run of the century.

I gathered nine intriguing Knicks trade proposals to pair with my Giannis idea and assembled the KFTV writing avengers to grade them based on how well they benefit New York. Let’s get into it:

Submitted by newsletter subscriber Daniel

“Not a knock on Bridges, but it seems like Deuce could replace his mins. Ayo is an athletic playmaker off the bench with more size than Deuce and Kolek. Okoro and Smith are young & athletic with 2 years of control…Can probs pay Ayo & Mitchy for around what Mikal makes next year. More roster flexibility for an imperfect contender.”

Jalen: (Firstly, thanks for being a newsletter sub). Ayo is a great role player, but moving Mikal for an unproven playoff player and soon-to-be free agent is a panic move. Jalen Smith and Isaac Okoro are fine, but we know Okoro can kill a playoff team’s offense with his shooting woes. I get the thought process, though. C.

Omar: C+. The Knicks give up a lot here in the way of wing defense and point guard depth. Dosunmu will need a new contract this offseason, and Okoro will be on the books for next year, who has looked like a liability in playoff situations. That combination doesn’t feel worth sacrificing Bridges in my view.

Joseph: D-. This one seems the most out of nowhere trade, considering the franchise just threw $150 million at Mikal Bridges to keep him locked in for the next few years, especially for the value of three players who aren’t doing a whole lot for Chicago. Trading Kolek for Ayo does make a bit of sense, but considering Kolek has two more years on his rookie contract and has taken that next step in his game, I can’t see the Knicks trading him for an expiring contract with no certainty that Dosunmu comes back.

Geoff: D. I think Bridges’ recent slump is making everyone forget how amazing he was at the beginning of the year. That player is still in there somewhere, and I think Mike Brown will help bring him back. Ayo is a nice player, but not on the level of Mikal Bridges. I’ll admit I’m interested in Jalen Smith, but if we trade Mikal, it would have to be for impact players on a higher level than the package described here.

Jalen: I would vote against any huge in-season moves like this, but Leon Rose never lets me be comfortable. If I were forced to propose the most sensible Giannis trade I could, I think it would be something with this framework.

Note that in this trade, and all the others here, the money matches, and all rosters retain enough players.

Omar: B. For the Knicks, you sacrifice two non-rotation players, your two best defenders, and only one of your picks, but you get a top-four player in the world. If you’re Leon, you have to do that and hope to figure out the KAT, Giannis, and Brunson fit later. With that said, I wonder how interested the Bucks are in Knicks and Spurs picks, which prevents this from being an A.

Joseph: B-. Shockingly, this isn’t the worst trade proposal I’ve seen for Giannis. I think if anything, the Spurs would be the team that wouldn’t accept this trade, given the lack of depth that would result in their rotation. In terms of how it would help the Knicks, it’s a very creative way to say, let’s get rid of OG, Mitch, and picks for Antetokounmpo and some baggage. New York would finally get their greatest wish in the Greek Freak.

Geoff: B-. I don’t hate this deal. I’d rather give up Mikal than OG, but I know the money wouldn’t work, so you would have to tinker a bit more. If you’re gonna get Giannis and only lose Mitch, OG, two firsts, and some filler, that would be a pretty good deal. I just really love OG and wouldn’t want to see him go.

via u/AJGreenalwaysin on Fanspo

Omar: A. You get off of two guys who aren’t playing right now and get a rotation shooter in Batum who is shooting 40% on threes with okay volume for three years in a row. You also get Coffey, who showed some flashes as a Clipper. Feels like a good all-around deal for all teams involved.

Jalen: B+. I don’t think wing is the biggest need for the Knicks, but Nic Batum has been a solid playoff contributor in his career and can probably still manage a 3&D or even occasional small-ball role in shorter stints. Maybe Coffey can show a little something if given minutes, too.

“The motivation for New York is financial. Signing Yabusele hard-capped the Knicks at the second luxury tax apron, giving them no ability to fill out their roster. Moving him for a smaller salary would enable New York to sign a 15th player immediately. Any production the Knicks get from Whitmore is a bonus.” via ESPN.

Geoff: F. I want nothing to do with Cam Whitmore. We don’t need another project. This screams Cam Reddish deal all over again.

Omar: C-. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of Whitmore. The reputation of him is that once the ball hits his hands, he’s shooting it, which could pose some issues in Mike Brown’s offense (if he hits the floor). The Spurs would love to get Yabusele to appease Wembanyama, but I’m not sure how willing the Wizards are to offer up draft capital to move off of Whitmore.

via u/mknba on Fanspo

Joseph: A+. I’m doing this trade in a heartbeat if I’m the Knicks. Saddiq Bey should absolutely be on James Dolan’s list of players to go after ahead of the trade deadline. Bey has been having the best season of his career in nearly three years, adding a layer of strength, flexibility, and a do-it-all background. This doesn’t even mention how Karlo has improved from his rookie season, increasing his shooting splits in two fewer minutes of playing time. If this trade gives the Knicks more wing depth, then sign me up.

Geoff: B. I definitely support the Knicks going after Saddiq. And I don’t think they lose anything of consequence here. To be fair, Saddiq has been inefficient offensively and injured of late, but I would love his size and athleticism in the second unit.

via u/treigysmartynas on Fanspo

Omar: B. This feels like it would be Mitch insurance if nothing else. Richards hasn’t been getting time in Phoenix, and the Suns would likely rather have Yabusele’s potential skill set. Richards has proven to be a decent rebounder and rim protector when given the opportunity. The fact that he’s an expiring contract is an added incentive for the Knicks to do this.

Joseph: C. The only reason I’m giving this a C is that I can’t imagine the Suns trying to make any roster changes, given how well they’ve performed without Jalen Green in their lineup. It’s going to be difficult to try to make a hard sell that Yasbusele can positively impact a team, given his steady decline in output. If the Knicks are going to make this trade, I don’t necessarily know how much spacing it would give the bench, let alone where it would be an actual fit for Richards.

via u/shawn319326 on Fanspo

Jalen: C+. I think the value is fair, but the Knicks can’t afford to give up their best three-point shooter, and I’m not sold that Jose Alvarado is the answer for a Finals contender. Getting Bey as well would help, but I wouldn’t trade Deuce, or any of the top-seven rotation players, without resolving the backup point guard and Mitch-insurance center spots.

Omar: D+. This is my bias showing here, but I have a hard time being okay with most trades that involve Deuce leaving New York. He’s fourth in the league in three-point shooting percentage (minimum 150 attempts) and is a huge plus defensively (not to mention likely the best value contract in the league). Giving all that up for Bey and Alvarado just feels like a nonstarter to me.

via u/margriffith on Fanspo

Joseph: B+. This trade would be the hope that Ellis can get back on track if he were to be given a new platform to play on, and what better platform than the world’s most famous arena? Yes, his shooting splits are down a significant amount, but that can also be attributed to his lesser role on a rebuilding Kings team. In terms of how he affects the Knicks, his defense and grittiness would be an added layer to a bench unit that thrives on being pests. Being 6’4” doesn’t necessarily solve the guard/wing depth issues we have when it comes to defense, but it’d be a fun project to see live in action.

Jalen: B. Keon isn’t a backup point guard, but he doesn’t provide another point-of-attack defensive option, which is helpful. Leave it to Coach Brown to settle the rotation of 6’4 guards. I view Kris Murray as a throw-in who could maybe find rhythm in New York, but he’s already 25. All in all, if this is the best deal on Leon’s table, he should take it.

via u/brainofcheese on Fanspo

Geoff: B. This works out great for the Knicks. Highsmith has really good shooting splits this season. Solid size, could definitely help out the second unit. Not sure what the Pelicans would want with Dadiet, but hey, not my problem.

Joseph: C. In reality, I don't love trading for players who have been on the shelf for a long time, so Highsmith doesn't have much interest. If he were healthy and producing well, then it’d be a different story. I don't see the Knicks trading for an expiring player that might never touch the floor this season.

via u/JupiterJQ5 on Fanspo

Jalen: B-. I think Marvin Bagley could do well in Mike Brown’s system in the same way we thought Yabu would. I also like that Justin Champagnie has a Josh Hart-like motor to him. But he’s far from the shooter his brother is, so I doubt he’d get real minutes behind Wingstop. He doesn’t project to solve any issues for the Knicks, but given the value being given us, he’s worth a flyer if Bagley feels like a promising acquisition on a budget.

Geoff: C+. I like Champagnie, but I think three seconds is kind of a lot here. He’s a great rebounding guard for his size, but he can’t really shoot it from three. He can drive for sure, but I’m not sure he solves our problems. I would rather go after Alvarado if we’re looking to solidify backup PG.