RealGM

Wolves Trade:
Covington
Teague
Napier

For

Portis
DSJ
Payton (or Gibson, would be interesting twist)
2023 Dallas 1st (top 10 protected)
Knicks Trade:

Wolves Why: they trade for a younger core. Portis gets a tryout next to Towns — earn his option or ideally a new contract. DSJ gets another new start and once Wiggins is moved (few years), I think a DSJ-Okogie-Culver backcourt sounds beautiful. Wolves also get more assets for future Wiggins dump or future consolidation trade.

Knicks Why: they unload one of their MANY PFs for a vet SF. Covington value contract doesn’t hinder their 2x max plan (I think this trade give them more cap) — and gives them more recruiting presence for next offseason — doesn’t hurt to have a stud 3D premium role player locked in.

Knicks are going to win 25 games with or without RoCo, so they are going to waste one of RoCo cheap years if they traded for him this year. I think the value is decent but NYK shouldn't be trading for elite role players before they have a single star in place. They need to gamble on upside and keep their assets to possibly make a trade for a star in the future.

Minnesota can gamble on this but if NY does ... well, let's just say they aren't going to do it. They need assets and as much as I love Covington, he's not what they are looking for. They need youth and picks or one really great team-carrying star (better make that two).

I dont see DSJ as the lead return in a Covington trade. He's really just a speculation on his high draft position. He's done nothing to suggest that he'll be good.

The trade value is fair, but the Knicks are not trading a frp for a role player, even an elite role player. Full stop.

Maybe years from now, assuming we've built up through the draft and added an all-star FA or two, we'll be one elite role player away from seriously competing. Then, and only then, would this trade go through.

Edited to add: The Knicks don't need help with cap space either--we'll have plenty again next summer.