NY/PHX/WAS: Familiar Faces: KD back to NY, Bridges back to PHX

[GatherStepGuru]

The Knicks just surprisingly fired Thibs, which signals that they fully expected to make the Finals, and are probably going to take their shot next year with Boston and Milwaukee unexpectedly down for next year. However, outside of their top 3-4 players, they dont have many salaries to add to get a big fish.

Enter the Wizards as a facilitator.

Knicks in:
- Kevin Durant, Justin Champagnie

Knicks out:
- Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, Mikal Bridges, rights back to Wash for top-8 protected 2026 pick

Why for Knicks:
- Since they are so top-heavy, they turn 2 role players into KD, a guy you can run your offense through, and cut salary a bit. Also get another wing/forward defender on a value contract that is controlled for 3 more years.


Wash in:
- Josh Hart, full rights to 2026 pick back

Wash out:
- Justin Champagnie, Corey Kispert, Colby Jones

Why for Wiz:
- Use their cap space as a facilitator to get rights back to their 2026 pick, and they dont have to necesarily tank, even though they wont be much good anyways. Pick up a vet in Josh Hart that can help the team now, or now you can use any combo of him, expiring Middleton, and expiring Smart, in a trade.


Suns in:
- Mikal Bridges, Corey Kispert, Mitchell Robinson, Colby Jones

Suns out:
- KD

Why for Suns:
- Get a cheaper productive wing more on Bookers timeline in Bridges, plus another shooter in Kispert, and a serviceable big man in Robinson

[DonaldSanders]

If I'm PHX I can't trade Durant without getting at least 1 pick back considering they are still not a contender. If you move Durant you need some future assets not win now guys.

[KdoubleDees23]

i would take that for the Suns. They cant draft good anyway! have had like 3 good drafts since 2000

[psman2]

I really don't see Washington's purpose here? Atlanta would take all of Hart's contract and likely send a bevy of 2nds for him into their TPE. Other teams likely offer a 1st and less salary too. I don't think Kispert holds positive value and would be unwanted.

I don't like this for NY either, too much depth is lost.

[nate33]

The Wizards are not at all interested. First of all, there is virtually no chance the Wizards finish outside of the bottom 5 so that 2026 pick isn't going to convey to NY anyhow.

And secondly, Justin Champagnie is actually really good and posted per-minute numbers virtually identical to Josh Hart (minus the assists, but with better 3P shooting). And he is 6 years younger and locked into a vet minimum deal for the next 3 years.

Obviously, Champagnie has only done this for a half-season on a tanking team, so caveats apply. But from the perspective of a rebuilding squad, they of course would have more interest in a younger, cheaper version of Hart than a 29-year-old vet owed $21M a year.

There just isn't any reason for the Wizards do this. A guy like Hart holds no value to them because they're not even trying to win right now. At best, the Wizards would just try and flip Hart, so you may as well try and find the team who actually wants Hart and leave the Wizards out of it.

[R-DAWG]

Knicks won’t be able to field a complete roster under the 2nd apron with this trade

[GatherStepGuru]

I really don't see Washington's purpose here? Atlanta would take all of Hart's contract and likely send a bevy of 2nds for him into their TPE. Other teams likely offer a 1st and less salary too. I don't think Kispert holds positive value and would be unwanted.

I don't like this for NY either, too much depth is lost.

If NY wants to improve, sacrifices have to be made. I used a trade machine to make the math work, and the reality is its real hard for NYC to get better because most of their money is tied up in their starting 5.

Also, Washington owns most of PHXs 2nds through the end of the decade from the Beal trade, so those could go to either PHX or the Knicks as needed.

An alternative could have Richaun Holmes go to PHX or NYC for financial relief, bc he has a 13 million dollar deal that's only guaranteed for 250K next season.

[GatherStepGuru]

The Wizards are not at all interested. First of all, there is virtually no chance the Wizards finish outside of the bottom 5 so that 2026 pick isn't going to convey to NY anyhow.

And secondly, Justin Champagnie is actually really good and posted per-minute numbers virtually identical to Josh Hart (minus the assists, but with better 3P shooting). And he is 6 years younger and locked into a vet minimum deal for the next 3 years.

Obviously, Champagnie has only done this for a half-season on a tanking team, so caveats apply. But from the perspective of a rebuilding squad, they of course would have more interest in a younger, cheaper version of Hart than a 29-year-old vet owed $21M a year.

There just isn't any reason for the Wizards do this. A guy like Hart holds no value to them because they're not even trying to win right now. At best, the Wizards would just try and flip Hart, so you may as well try and find the team who actually wants Hart and leave the Wizards out of it.

Im a big fan of Champagnie, and just included him to make the math work.

Also, I dont think Washington is great, but I think if Washington actually tried next year and made some smart trades this offseason, they could be better than bottom 5. Tanking a whole season is not a guarantee to get a star in the next draft or any draft, and its hard basketball to watch for seasons on end.