With the NBA commerce deadline quick approaching on February sixth at 3 p.m., the rumor mill is in full swing – and the Knicks have two weeks to determine if they will make one other swing to enhance this roster earlier than it is locked in for the playoff hunt.
In the event that they make a transfer, it’ll possible embody Mitchell Robinsonwho has but to play this season whereas incomes a $14 million wage.
Many followers are against buying and selling the crew’s longest-tenured member, who, when wholesome, has confirmed to be an impression participant within the playoffs and manages to treatment a few of the greatest weaknesses on this listing. However within the case Leon Rose and co. If you happen to select to check the market, Robinson’s upside and contract are their finest wager for buying desperately wanted depth.
Listed here are 5 potential Robinson trades the Knicks could make…
The Knicks get: Jonas Valanciunas
Wizards get: Mitchell Robinson, Wizards’ top-10 protected first-round decide in 2025
If New York is anxious in regards to the timeline for Robinson’s return, making a wholesome veterans middle in his place is one answer they may take into account. Robinson is the large superior with expertise finest suited when each are at their finest, however Valanciunas might arguably be extra dependable all through this season.
Valanciunas is an enormous physique who can rebound nicely and supply prompt offense within the publish, in addition to some creation as a excessive publish hub. The Knicks will not get a lot worth again in any of those offers, and this one entails giving again to Washington a closely protected first-round decide who converts to 2 seconds in a couple of drafts.
Knicks get: Torrey Craig, Jevon Carter, Chris Duarte, 2025 second-round picks (through Sacramento Kings)
Bulls get: Mitchell Robinson
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report Understood this proposal is the one commerce New York ought to make. One of these bundle would work nicely if the Knicks’ priorities have been fast depth and never attaching something to Robinson.
Craig is a multi-positional 3-and-D wing, Carter is a guard able to defending ball-first, and Duarte is a fourth-year lottery decide who has been hampered by accidents. None of those names are massive needle movers, however add in a second-round decide and the Knicks get an honest haul right here.
The Knicks get: Jordan Clarkson
Jazz get: Mitchell Robinson, two second-round picks
The Knicks had a publicly unsuccessful negotiation with Danny Aingé a couple of years in the past, however that will not cease this entrance workplace from exploring all attainable avenues. An inexpensive purchase swing on Robinson with further draft capital may very well be within the playing cards and would enable New York to develop into a licensed bucket for its playoff run.
Clarkson is not everybody’s cup of tea and is not the primary identify to come back up once you suppose “Thibs participant,” however Utah has a couple of totally different packages that might work. The Knicks can add Treasured Achiuwa and off we go Collin Sextonor with the correct quantity of alternative, attempt to catch Walker Kessler along with one or the opposite guard.
The Knicks get: Nikola Vucevic
Bulls get: Mitchell Robinson, Treasured Achiuwa, Wizards protected first-round decide in 2025 prime 10
In an analogous vein to the Valanciunas commerce, the Knicks are including sweeteners to the Robinson bundle right here to accumulate a big-bodied (albeit ill-fitting) caliber to bolster the bench. Vucevic is having a very good season, averaging 20 factors and 10 rebounds whereas hitting over 41 % of his three pictures.
Chicago continues its rebuild with some rotation items and a decide, whereas New York will get a two-time All-Star in reserve for its already potent offense. He does not meet their defensive wants, however few accessible targets do, and it is one of many extra believable expertise performs.
Knicks get: Kevon Looney, Kyle Anderson
Bulls get: Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims, Gary Payton II
Warriors get: Nikola Vucevic
One of the best ways for the Knicks to clear depth items may very well be by means of a three-team commerce. On this iteration, Vucevic goes to Golden State and New York receives a couple of of their deeper rotation gamers.
Looney is a dependable 5 who does all of the little issues that may open doorways for this crew: screening, boxing out and rebounding. Anderson has been out and in of the rotation, however is a veteran wing who can impression the sport in quite a lot of methods.
