Prospective New York Knicks Trading Options for the 2025-26 Basketball Season
The New York Knicks have been making moves in the 2025 offseason, with a focus on maintaining trade flexibility and strengthening their roster. Here's a breakdown of the key trade scenarios and potential candidates that the Knicks are considering for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.
Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks' star big man, could potentially be traded, as the team decided not to offer him a contract extension [1]. Other trade targets include a blockbuster move sending Jalen Wagner to New York from Orlando, in exchange for OG Anunoby, guard Miles McBride, and a future second-round pick [2].
A high-profile hypothetical trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Knicks is also being discussed, with Anunoby heading to Milwaukee [3]. However, it's worth noting that the Knicks have also made additions to their roster, such as signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, and extending Mikal Bridges [4].
In terms of potential trade candidates available via trade or buyouts, the Knicks are linked to players like Ben Simmons, Sam Hauser, Marcus Smart, and Keon Ellis, who offer diverse skill sets such as defensive prowess, shooting, and playmaking [5].
One of the key trade candidates for the Knicks currently seems to be Mitchell Robinson. His $13 million salary is the kind of mid-sized number that fits seamlessly into trades for star-level talent. Robinson's shot-blocking and lob-finishing ability make him an ideal modern rim-running center [6]. However, trading Robinson wouldn't be easy due to his defensive synergy with New York's core perimeter defenders [7].
Despite his inconsistent three-point shooting affecting spacing in critical moments, Josh Hart has been a valuable role player for the Knicks [8]. His contract is financially movable in a mid-tier trade package, and if a high-impact player becomes available, Hart could be traded to sweeten the pot for a bigger deal [9].
It's important to note that the Knicks let go of Tom Thibodeau and hired Mike Brown as his replacement [10]. Big men with a history of lower-body injuries rarely become more durable as they age, and Robinson has missed 65 and 51 games over the past two seasons [11]. The Knicks might see an opportunity to replicate Robinson's impact with a younger player like Walker Kessler [12].
The Knicks' path to contention in 2025-26 won't be defined by a single move, but a series of calculated decisions. The team's approach keeps its roster flexible for significant changes in the 2025-26 season [13].
References: [1] ESPN [2] Bleacher Report [3] NBA Analysis Network [4] New York Post [5] Sports Illustrated [6] Forbes [7] The Athletic [8] CBS Sports [9] NBA.com [10] NY Knicks Official Website [11] NBA.com [12] Yahoo Sports [13] The Ringer
- The Knicks could potentially trade star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, as they decided not to offer him a contract extension.
- A trade scenario being considered by the Knicks involves sending Jalen Wagner to New York from Orlando, in exchange for OG Anunoby, guard Miles McBride, and a future second-round pick.
- There are discussions about a high-profile trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Knicks, with Anunoby heading to Milwaukee as part of the deal.
- Mitchell Robinson, with his shot-blocking and lob-finishing ability, is one of the key trade candidates for the Knicks, despite his defensive synergy with the team's core perimeter defenders making a trade difficult.
