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Ever since the Towns deal I have been thinking a little about how the Knicks can round out its roster to get a reliable playoff rotation. With Mitchell Robinson hurt, McBride is probably the only one I trust outside of the expected starters (Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, Hart and Brunson) right now to perform in the playoffs.

My reflection has been that the Knicks should explore ways to split Mitchell Robinsons salary up into the best wing / center combination they can get to round out the rotation. My mind keeps coming back to Washington, who picked up a couple of good players on cheap deals this off-season in Jonas Valančiūnas and Sadiq Bey, who just happen to combine to make a little under what Robinson and Cam Payne will be due for the next year. New York also owns WAS 1st (protected 1-10, 1-8, converts to two 2nds), which Washington maybe would like to have back. Thus I think a December 15 deal could perhaps make sense for both teams. I am unsure if 2024 WAS is enough to get it done or if NYK will have to add aditional 2nds?

To New York: Jonas Valančiūnas, Sadiq Bey (16.3M)
To Washington: Mitchell Robinson, Cameron Payne (16.4 M) + 2024 WAS 1st

For New York:
Closes out the playoff-rotation with a center and a wing. Valančiūnas strikes me as the type of center Thibodeau would love. Wings are hard to come by and I think Bey might be the best one they can come close to.

Playoff rotation (minutes):
C: Towns (24), Valančiūnas (24)
PF: Anunoby (36), Towns (12)
SF: Bridges (36), Bey (12)
SG: Hart (36), Bey/McBride (12)
PG: Brunson (38) McBride (10)
Depth: Achiuwa, Sims and Kolek

For Washington:
Cash in on the recent signings and get their own draft pick back (most likely two very good 2nds). Payne expires after the year and Mitchell Robinson is on a declining deal (~13M for 2025-2026), so the cap implications are limited to that beyond this year.

Thoughts?

First, Bey isn't playing this season. So he's not helping the Knicks playoff rotation (at least this year).

Second, while Robinson's out for the beginning of the year, he should be back midseason with reasonably hope that he's in-form for the playoffs and if so he's a better option than Jonas (though he does seem to get injured often so a setback and missing time in the playoffs wouldn't be shocking.

giberish wrote:First, Bey isn't playing this season. So he's not helping the Knicks playoff rotation (at least this year).

Second, while Robinson's out for the beginning of the year, he should be back midseason with reasonably hope that he's in-form for the playoffs and if so he's a better option than Jonas (though he does seem to get injured often so a setback and missing time in the playoffs wouldn't be shocking.

Good points, my understanding was that Bey would be out for start of the season but not the entire year, but if he is not coming back before the trade deadline then yes I don't think it makes sense.

Agree with your evaluarion regarding Robinson / Jonas when both plays. The main point was to get a more durable center, while also adding a wing that they need unless Towns is mainly at the 4.

db-coop wrote:

giberish wrote:First, Bey isn't playing this season. So he's not helping the Knicks playoff rotation (at least this year).

Second, while Robinson's out for the beginning of the year, he should be back midseason with reasonably hope that he's in-form for the playoffs and if so he's a better option than Jonas (though he does seem to get injured often so a setback and missing time in the playoffs wouldn't be shocking.

Good points, my understanding was that Bey would be out for start of the season but not the entire year, but if he is not coming back before the trade deadline then yes I don't think it makes sense.

Agree with your evaluarion regarding Robinson / Jonas when both plays. The main point was to get a more durable center, while also adding a wing that they need unless Towns is mainly at the 4.

Bey is already doing some light drills in practice. He's probably a few months away, but a guy that can do this stuff in October is likely to be at full strength by January or February.


Regarding the trade, I'd probably do it. There's a close to zero chance that the pick conveys in 2026, but even when it doesn't convey, it's going to turn into two high SRP's which have some legitimate value. And then factor that Robinson at age 27 in 2025-26 is likely to be more valuable than Valanciunas at age 33, I'd say it makes pretty good sense for Washington.

The only question is whether or not JV and/or Bey might actually be worth more than this to some other team as we approach the Trade Deadline. Could the Wizards turn them into a late FRP?