The Knicks have all summer to build off a successful 2023-24 season. What are their trade options if they can’t make a big splash?
The Boston Celtics have won the NBA finals, so let’s spin their victory into Knicks content, as we did last year. There’s so much to learn about roster construction with the final two teams.
Kristaps Porziņģis, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford were acquired from losing teams to contribute to winning, as were Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2023 and Andrew Wiggins in 2022. Derrick White began the 2021-22 season with the 10th-seeded Spurs.
There’s value in diving into the league’s bottom of the barrel for talent that, at first glance, may not feel like a significant difference-maker. So, let’s look at a few options in the NBA Worsts’ Well of Basketball Wealth (title pending) and identify some trade targets for the Knicks…
Knicks’ Team Needs and Financial Future
First, there’s a lot to consider about the Knicks regarding deals they make this offseason:
- The nine-man rotation is almost set.
Tom Thibodeau has rarely expanded his rotation beyond nine players during his Knicks tenure. If OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein re-sign (no guarantee), they will have eight rotational players (the full-strength starting five, plus Josh Hart, Deuce McBride, and Mitchell Robinson). That leaves just one spot for a player to get consistent minutes. (Pre-OG, Deuce played 5.2 minutes per game with 13 DNPs in 2023-24 as the 10th man, for reference).
Of course, the playoffs proved that their gritty style requires insurance at each position, too. Ideally, New York uses at least one of their #24, #25, and #38 pick to find that. But it’s hard to imagine Thibs playing more than one rookie to fulfill the team’s glaring needs.
- The glaring needs
The Knicks need a bench point guard, a scorer, wing insurance for OG and Julius Randle, and center depth. It sounds like they need everything, but the roster must be rounded out well if they can’t land another star next to Jalen Brunson.
These acquisitions won’t have to close games—the starting five plus Josh Hart will contend for that each night. I also believe Deuce McBride’s development will make him a better point guard and scorer. But a trade could help them improve if they…
- Avoid the heat, stay out of the (second apron) kitchen
Per Bobby Marks, the Knicks will flirt with the second apron if they re-sign everyone and guarantee Bojan Bogdanovic’s $19 million contract to #RunItBack for 2024-25. We’ve discussed the new CBA here, and the stakes are explained below, too.
To avoid these financial repercussions, the Knicks should find cheaper alternatives for at least one of the nine rotational players. Bojan’s deal of $19 million, if they guarantee it, and Knick-lifer Mitchell Robinson’s $14.3 million contract are the prime financial assets to move for an upgrade if they fill the other open spot with a rookie player.
Let’s see what their options are.
Washington Wizards (15-67): Kyle Kuzma, Corey Kispert, Deni Avdija
The Wizards landed the #2 pick and could select a forward like Zaccharie Risacher, creating a logjam at the position.
Kyle Kuzma is the likely odd man out. He’ll be 29 next season and has about three years and $64 million left on his deal. Although expensive now, it’s a descending deal that provides more flexibility as it ages, as if Leon Rose wrote the clauses himself for the CAA client. Since Washington isn’t ready to compete, they could take on some contracts with draft compensation.
Despite the team’s terribleness, Kuzma posted the highest PPG (22.2), APG (6.6), and FG% (.463) of his career. He’d provide size 6’9” and scoring around Brunson and depth for OG and Randle. He’s also won a title on a defense-first team, albeit in Disney.
Can he be disciplined on defense to earn Thibs’ trust? Would his decision-making as a scorer keep New York afloat to start second and fourth quarters? Those are the biggest concerns.
Corey Kispert, 25, will make $5.7 million next year and saw his minutes decrease in 2023-24 with rookie Bilal Coulibaly and Avdija’s emergence. At 6’7, he is a career .388 percent shooter from three on 5.1 attempts. He’s not the shot-creator the Knicks need, but he provides spacing and a contract low enough to enable an additional move.
With a new four-year, $55 million extension, Deni Avdija, 23, is the least likely to be moved, but the Wizards have made questionable front-office moves before (like giving Bradley Beal a no-trade clause). He’d make for a great connective piece as a 6’9 ball-mover and defender. He shot the ball well last year (.374 percent from three). He also hates losing.
This is more of a fever dream. And still not quite the scorer the Knicks need. But Avdija is one of those former lottery picks who could truly break out when they start to play with other winners.
Portland Trail Blazers (21-61): Malcolm Brogdon
It’s probably not the best fit given his injury history, but Malcolm Brogdon would have made a difference in the 2024 playoffs, if healthy.
His on-ball playmaking, scoring, and size at the guard position would relieve Brunson and pair well alongside him and Randle. But at $22.5 million for 2024-25 only, he could complicate the Knicks’ financial position. Plus, he’ll be 32 in December and may struggle to get through 82+ games again. He’s still worth considering.
Charlotte Hornets (21-61): Nick Richards
Shout out to the KFTV callers who shared this idea. The 26-year-old center will make just $5 million next season and has the physical tools to be Thibs’ next big man project. He’ll likely start 2024-25 behind Mark Williams in the depth chart, and the Hornets should be willing to move their backup center for something.
Per 36 minutes, Richards averaged 11.0 rebounds (3.5 offensive) and 13.3 points on .691 shooting last season. If the Knicks want to save some money at center, here’s a viable option.
San Antonio Spurs (22-60): Keldon Johnson
I am well aware that Keldon Johnson had somewhat of a disappointing season in 2023-24, or at the very least, he lost his starting spot. I’m also aware that he is owed $19 million next season and $35 million total in the following two. But this kind of swing could make the front office look like geniuses if it works out.
Keldon is a 6’5” wing with questionable shooting (.346 from three last season), so physically, he sounds like another Josh Hart. But he’s aggressive on drives and creates off the dribble when he doesn’t spot up, which is the kind of playstyle the Knicks need.
With this target, you’re banking on the upside from age (24), buy-in from a desire to win, and the Knicks getting a version of him that shoots like he did in 2021-22: a .398 three-point percentage and .545 EFG. His contract isn’t hefty for a 6th man type, and he can be paired with others if a big name becomes available later.
From the Spurs’ perspective, they have the #4 and #8 picks incoming to take minutes and could look to clear their books by taking Bojan’s expiring contract or bulk up on defense with Mitchell Robinson, plus whatever else they’d receive.
Atlanta Hawks (36-46): Bogdan Bogdanović, AJ Griffin
Among the rumors of a rebuild in Atlanta, exacerbated by their lottery victory, I haven’t heard much about Bogdan’s name in a fire sale. But he’d be a great fit for a few reasons.
He’s a tall ball-handler who can score and move the ball and shoot (.384 percent for his career). Give him innings to eat with Deuce when Brunson sits, and I think that would make for a great offense/defense combination.
He’s not the greatest defender, but I’ll say this: if Thibs is such an excellent defensive coach (he is), he’ll have to live with needing to “protect” a guy other than Brunson on defense. At some point, you gotta score, too.
The Bogdanovićs’ contracts match well, but Bogdan has an additional year with a team option after that one. With some draft compensation, the Knicks can get a scorer, and the Hawks can get future cap flexibility.
Next up: what happened to AJ Griffin? The former Duke Blue Devil went from a slash line of .465/.390/.894 in 19.5 minutes his rookie year to .290/.256/1.000 in 8.6 minutes (20 games played) his sophomore season. It seems like it’s more than health—he also racked up several DNPCDs.
The Knicks have been interested in the former 16th overall pick since the 2022 draft. Would it hurt to check the price on a player still making rookie-deal money? If Atlanta uses their assets to rebuild a playoff-contention roster, it’s tough to see space for Griffin to play.
Golden State Warriors (46-36): Moses Moody
Every time I watch Moses Moody play—which isn’t much, thanks to Steve Kerr—I notice him make a big corner three, fight on defense, or grab a loose ball off a rebound. He couldn’t eclipse 17.5 minutes in his third year for a 10th-seeded Warriors team that featured a struggling Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, despite being a former lottery pick himself.
He screams ‘underdog.’ Welcome to the Knicks.
The 6’6” wing won’t make headlines as a scorer, but he could provide quality ninth-man minutes and step up if another swingman misses time. His three-point shooting (career .360 percentage) and upside (22 years old) provide hope for immediate and eventual contribution.
Golden State is in deep trouble with the second apron while awaiting a decision on Jonathan Kuminga’s extension and timelines. If Moody slips through the cracks, he’ll have suitors.
Los Angeles Lakers (47-35): Rui Hachimura
I have no idea what the Lakers are thinking when it comes to LeBron James, his son, Dan Hurley, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving. I don’t care, either. They are in danger of hitting the second apron. Are they willing to get Rui Hachimura off their books?
Rui averaged 13.6 points last season on .537/.422/.739 splits. At 6’8”, he’s a solid scorer at all three levels and has good footwork in the post. He’s had some playoff moments, including being tasked with guarding Nikola Jokić and doing a decent job, all things considered. He makes $17 million in 2024-25 and $18.3 million the following.
The Lakers would likely prefer cap relief over Bojan or Mitch, so a three-teamer could be facilitated to deal one of them to a franchise with space. At 26 years old, I think Rui is another guy who could fulfill the Aaron Gordon/Andrew Wiggins on a contender.
Other Options for Knicks
Dejounte Murray: Okay, I’ll mention Dejounte Murray here purely out of obligation to say that he’d be an incredible option to run a bench unit. But if he were to start? DiVincenzo’s spacing as a deep-range shooter opened the floor for others. What impact would Dejounte’s midrange-heavy game have on Brunson and Randle’s rim attacks? Is there enough shooting between them? As a Klutch client, I don’t think he would be willing to come off the bench. That might reignite fire between the agency mafias.
Mikal Bridges: No. Because the Nets would never do that. Because you would have to outbid teams with much more to give up. Because I wouldn’t trade him for Julius Randle, nor would I start him over Donte DiVincenzo or OG Anunoby.
Dorian Finney-Smith: would be the better Nets target, considering the price. It still won’t happen.
Collin Sexton: It’s a valid idea. I’m just not a fan, personally, and I’d want more size in his role.
Jordan Clarkson: No thanks. Thibs would veto the deal himself.
Zach LaVine: There’s a lot of discourse about LaVine as an underachieving, “empty stats guy.” I’d like people to tell me which roster he was supposed to win more with. I think his contract (three years, $139 million) is too large for New York. But a team like Brooklyn should trade Ben Simmons for him. Really. He’s a talented scorer. Maybe he’d get fans to come to games.
Bruce Brown: I don’t see much upside, but he’s a winning player. Just not the offensive punch I think the Knicks need. But it wouldn’t be the worst move they would make. Can he reach his Denver Nuggets-level effectiveness on the Knicks?
Jaden Ivey: This is a big offseason for the Detroit Pistons. They have money to spend and another top-five prospect to bring in. Relegating Ivey to the bench in his second year was an iffy decision. On the Knicks, he’d be really dynamic in his ability to get downhill, although Tom Thibodeau may find an issue with his defense or something else.
Tari Eason: If the wing position gets too crowded for Houston, maybe they’d deal Tari for draft capital? Similar to Ivey, I’d keep an eye out. He’s a good defender and rebounder for a forward.
Conclusion: Knicks are good, must stay good
If the Knicks are out of the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes, and Joel Embiid is recruiting players to Philly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they head into 2024-25 with the same eight plus an MLE player. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t consider taking gambles on buy-low candidates who could outplay their current reputations.
I’m not concerned about constructing a team that can beat Boston. I’m more concerned about building a team that can compete year after year, and maybe one year, the conference will break open for them. Of course, the new CBA makes it hard to maintain sustainability, but the Knicks’ culture and front office’s foresight have earned my trust.
Who do you think the Knicks should trade for? Leave a comment down below.
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