Knicks 2025 Fan Trade Ideas

In last year’s KFTV holiday wishlist, our writers predicted two future Knicks acquisitions: OG Anunoby and Bojan Bogdanović, so don’t underestimate the wisdom in fan speculation. This year, we’re letting fans lead the way with trade proposals.

Recently signed players are officially trade-eligible today, marking the unofficial 2025 NBA trade season solstice. The Pacers kicked it off by landing center Thomas Bryant from the Heat, while the Warriors landed Nets guard Dennis Schroeder (and a second-rounder) for injured De’Anthony Melton and…three seconds?

Who knows what that return means for this winter’s market. Before we get into fans’ mock trades, let’s review key info about the Knicks’ current situation.

I think it’s clear which issues the front office should prioritize, though the market will dictate the decisions. Without further ado, let’s look at some fan-proposed trades.

Let’s start here: if Herb Jones is available, several teams (Memphis, OKC, Houston, San Antonio, etc) could run circles around New York’s best offer. The lockdown wing is a pipe dream, and a deal like this involving Mitchell Robinson both depletes the Knicks’ assets and leaves their interior problems unresolved.

Toumani Camara is your local hoop head’s favorite wing defender (a real niche). The 6’8 forward is a hound in just about any defensive role. His offensive game isn’t polished, but his current 37.1% mark from three is a promising sign.

Dalano Banton is an intriguing buy-low guy for a contender, given his size, serviceable ball-handling ability, and defensive versatility. He’s far from a top-tier role player, and I’m not sure he’d play well with non-spacers like Hart, Sims, and Precious.

It might take Pacome Dadiet instead, or as well, to pry Camara from the Blazers, depending on Portland’s plans for guards Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson. Since Camara is in his second year, let’s assume he’s not on the market.

Nah. Given all of the glaring issues on defense with the slower-footed Karl-Anthony Towns, Jonas Valančiūnas would give fans instant déjà vu. And playing them together would be a disaster.

A Time Lord for Blockness Monster swap feels like the Spiderman pointing meme. Williams has only played seven games this season, already beating his total last year by one. So unless you feel great about Kris Murray’s potential (he’s 24), I don’t believe this is the route to pursue.

Since second-round picks are apparently valuable, why not throw a bunch at Charlotte to try to land Nick Richards and a wing like Josh Green? Richards is not nearly as good at the big man duties Mitch has mastered, but in trades like this, the Knicks would aim to exchange some dependability for increased availability. But, I’d like to note that Richards has never played more than 67 games in a season.

Josh Green (43.6% from three this season) is a high-energy wing on both ends. I’m not sure if committing $12.6+ million to him for three years is appealing to the Knicks, but he could certainly spell the wings, be active, and catch and shoot.

I don’t mind this deal too much, but New York would really have to hope Tom Thibodeau’s big-man-whispering can work on the fly in the middle of a Conference Finals or bust run. When you have KAT, you need a sure-fire defensive backup. The Knicks cannot afford experiments or projects at this point.

This feels like fine value for Charlotte, who could give Mitch the year off to rehab and flip his expiring contract later.

Three-team trades are usually far-fetched, but this one caught my eye. The Knicks would land a high-quality taller wing in Deni Avdija (who struggled to begin the year) and the aforementioned Nick Richards while keeping Jericho Sims in his signature third-string role. I take Avdija’s play so far for the noncompetitive Blazers lightly. He had a fantastic 2023-24 with Washington in passing, shooting, and defense.

Giving up both Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek would mean the Knicks have ultimate confidence in this win-now core (and strong belief in injured rookie Kevin McCullar Jr.’s future). Not to mention, they’re trading their two best defensive bigs and emptying most of their draft capital tank in this deal.

I think it’s too much to give up, but as far as fan-made three-teamers go, it’s one of the better ones I’ve seen.

I don’t know anything about center Duop Reath beyond his Basketball Reference page. He averages six minutes per game and ~75% of his shots are from three (36.8%). If you’re a fan, or a Jericho Sims hater, this is for you.

Given the financial restrictions (thanks, CBA), the limited assets, and the lack of obvious selling teams (thanks, play-in tournament), it’s much more difficult than last year to find a sensible Knicks mock trade. Adam Silver doesn’t care much about 2K GM's.

Ironically, the exact kind of player New York needs right now is the one they have. Mitchell Robinson, while being in most fake deals, would provide a more impactful ~20 minutes per game than most realistic trade options. But if he returns right before the trade deadline, it won’t be enough time to trial him and Towns together. The front office is in a tough spot.

I didn’t include a Walker Kessler trade because, like Herb Jones, it feels more like a dream, unless Danny Ainge’s alleged price drops. He makes about $8 million total over the next two seasons of his rookie contract - the ultimate option for a team needing a budget rim protector. So of course, he’ll cost more than a first, and maybe New York’s two best rookies.

What’s the plan for Kolek and Dadiet? The former is the fourth guard on the depth chart, while the latter hasn’t played as much as we’d like. Playing the long game worked out with Deuce McBride, but if another team sees enough potential to offer the 2025 Knicks a problem-solving offer, Leon Rose & Co. will have a lot to consider.

Keon Ellis, Moses Moody, Corey Kispert, Kenrich Williams, Simone Fontecchio

Have a Knicks trade in mind you’re thinking of? Submit it here or in the comments below, and our writing staff will analyze it in Part Two. Let’s see what you come up with.