After winning the NBA Cup in mid-December, the New York Knicks no longer look like the title contenders many expected them to be before the season began, prompting trade rumors and overall roster uncertainty heading into the February 5th trade deadline.
While names like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson were previously rumored to be shopped by the Knicks, they now expect to stay in town for the time being. Instead, Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet remain the two most likely players to be moved before next Thursday.
At the same time, New York has had their eyes on a few trade targets over the past few weeks, but the latest update signals they could face steep competition for one player in particular they’ve been watching.
Additionally, the Knicks remain in the hunt for Giannis Antetokounmpo. While they had initial trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks over the summer, the idea of New York making a blockbuster move for the superstar before the deadline remains unlikely, but it shouldn’t be ruled out this offseason.
Knicks Trade Rumors
In terms of what the team could get back for Yabusele and Dadiet, the Knicks have been linked to a few players, some that are no longer available, and some that they could enter a bidding war with other teams to land.
First, there were brief rumors about adding Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs. Talks have quieted, as the Spurs aren’t interested in taking back Yabusele’s $5.5 million deal.
A similar case with Keon Ellis, formerly of the Sacramento Kings. He was dealt on Saturday night to the Cleveland Cavaliers with Dennis Schroder, and while the Knicks were fighting with the Los Angeles Lakers to land the fourth-year guard, he’s now off the table.
One name that still stands out in Knicks trade rumors is Jose Alvarado. According to James L. Edwards of The Athletic, New York has competition for the pesky guard from the New Orleans Pelicans.
“New York has had an eye on feisty New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado for a while, as it could use depth in terms of ballhandling and point-of-attack defense,” Edwards wrote. “However, as my co-worker Will Guillory reported last week (and I, too, have heard), Alvarado prefers to stay in New Orleans. Multiple teams will be in the running for Alvarado, so the Knicks will be bidding against others if, in fact, the Pelicans’ brass decides to move him.”
Alvarado would be a solid backup for Brunson that could spark the second unit, but for now, adding him seems like a difficult task.
Regardless, Edwards wrote that New York still wants to move Yabusele, but as the days go on, that also might become more unlikely.
The Knicks have long been trying to find a new home for Guerschon Yabusele, their top free-agent signing, before the deadline,” he added. “Barring a big trade of sorts that has many moving pieces, rival teams expect New York to have to attach draft assets to get off Yabusele in any simpler transaction.”
Knicks Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors
The other, and most significant name linked to the Knicks is Antetokounmpo. Shams Charania of ESPN reported that New York, the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves were the top teams to keep an eye on to make a major push for the 2021 Finals MVP, and since that news, everyone has been on the edge of their seats.
The Knicks making a straight-up deal with the Bucks remains extremely unlikely, as they lack the draft assets Milwaukee is hoping to get, and would likely have to include a third team to make all parties happy.
In that scenario, New York could very well move Towns to the Bucks and send either OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges to a team like the Portland Trail Blazers, who would then give the Bucks back the picks they currently own. The Knicks could land Antetokounmpo and either Jrue Holiday or Jerami Grant in a potential trade like this one, but if it does ever come to fruition, it would happen over the offseason.
The Knicks have a lot of restrictions on what moves they can make this trade deadline due to the money they owe their top players. A move around the margins like trading Yabusele for Alvarado or another rotational player remains much more likely than a blockbuster deal for Antetokounmpo, but as its one year after Luka Doncic was shockingly traded to the Lakers, nothing should be counted out.
For now, New York is set to face off against Los Angeles in Madison Square Garden. For the game against the Lakers, the Knicks will be without Miles McBride, while Bronny James will be out, and Austin Reaves remains a game-time decision for their opponent.
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