Trades and Transactions Thread - 2025 Cont'd

[spree2kawhi]

Forget all this Giannis and Durant stuff for a minute. What moves can make to add depth without sacrificing our core?

Lets go with the current starters and bench:

Mitch
KAT
OG
Bridges
Brunson

6. Hart
7. Deuce
8. Kolek


This is my wishlist if we're not making major moves..

Vet minimum signings:

Brook Lopez - stretch 5
Bojan Bogdanovic - bucket getter off the bench; also has size we need
Marcus Morris - wish we had this year. He is still a 40% 3point shooter. Adds toughness we need as well
Alec Burks - is still a good defender at the 1-3 position. Still can give you 8-10 ppg.

Non-MLE Tax:

Ben Simmons - yeah I said it. He can be our secondary ball handler, he can guard from 1-4 and small ball 5s. He is still a a premier defender, a rebounder that is still 6'9 on the open court. He will not be playing crunch time. Coming off the bench and play 20-25 minutes would be best for him.

at least one of Bridges or Hart should get traded for a reliable shooter and willing defender, not just stricky and part time ones

Good luck finding a better guy than Bridges. Y’all always compare his bad traits and games with other players’ good ones. It pains me to see that all the time.

I think y’all should really take a step back and think about that. Same with Towns and Durant, who hasn’t made any noise in the playoffs for years and literally didn’t even make the playoffs this year.

[BowlRips]

I mean honestly if the Knicks are going to look to expand their depth then the move is to trade either Mikal or OG IMO.

You could get a nice 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 package for either of them and their skill sets don't really complement each other on either end tbh.

We've learned Mikal can't be a full time POA defender and is much better off the ball. OG is also much better off the ball and guarding up rather than down. Neither are particularly good passers or ball handlers. While Mikal, at his best, does have a quick trigger on his shot he was rarely comfortable this year...

Knicks miss DD's skillset on O so much and it's because they replaced him with Mikal who became very methodical and trigger shy from 3. Maybe a new coach changes that? They can hope so but it might be better to get out ahead of the problem while he still has retained most of his value.

Was playing around on the trade machine earlier and one of the best ideas I came up with was:

Malik Monk
Keon Ellis

For

Mikal

Solves 2 issues for the Knicks (bench production and POA D) and gives the Kings a really good wing to pair next to Lavine.

If they want to expand it, then the Knicks could include Deuce who has a bit more of a PG skillset than anyone the Kings have and then they could send back a 1st or 2.

Just an idea I had.

For Hart
Scott Perry the new GM there.
He’s going to want to add some grit.
Hart for Monk

[Nicnac]

Lets go with the current starters and bench:

Mitch
KAT
OG
Bridges
Brunson

6. Hart
7. Deuce
8. Kolek


This is my wishlist if we're not making major moves..

Vet minimum signings:

Brook Lopez - stretch 5
Bojan Bogdanovic - bucket getter off the bench; also has size we need
Marcus Morris - wish we had this year. He is still a 40% 3point shooter. Adds toughness we need as well
Alec Burks - is still a good defender at the 1-3 position. Still can give you 8-10 ppg.

Non-MLE Tax:

Ben Simmons - yeah I said it. He can be our secondary ball handler, he can guard from 1-4 and small ball 5s. He is still a a premier defender, a rebounder that is still 6'9 on the open court. He will not be playing crunch time. Coming off the bench and play 20-25 minutes would be best for him.

at least one of Bridges or Hart should get traded for a reliable shooter and willing defender, not just stricky and part time ones

Good luck finding a better guy than Bridges. Y’all always compare his bad traits and games with other players’ good ones. It pains me to see that all the time.

I think y’all should really take a step back and think about that. Same with Towns and Durant, who hasn’t made any noise in the playoffs for years and literally didn’t even make the playoffs this year.

ABSOLUTELY!!! a 37 yr old KD for a player in his prime that absolutely made the team better. The NYC fans love to fantasize about other teams players. And then we trade a number 8 pic for 2 late second rounders like we made a steal. Kd will never won another a title. The nets tried it, the suns tried, and now subtracting kat for kd makes some kinda sense?? Really???

And bridges was mismanaged. He had to call his own plays or else INVISIBLE.. THIBS must be given credit for being hudini. He makes players disappear on the court and on the bench. Just let jb dribble for 18 seconds

[Nicnac]

I think ben is perfect for this team.

[spree2kawhi]

at least one of Bridges or Hart should get traded for a reliable shooter and willing defender, not just stricky and part time ones

Good luck finding a better guy than Bridges. Y’all always compare his bad traits and games with other players’ good ones. It pains me to see that all the time.

I think y’all should really take a step back and think about that. Same with Towns and Durant, who hasn’t made any noise in the playoffs for years and literally didn’t even make the playoffs this year.

ABSOLUTELY!!! a 37 yr old KD for a player in his prime that absolutely made the team better. The NYC fans love to fantasize about other teams players. And then we trade a number 8 pic for 2 late second rounders like we made a steal. Kd will never won another a title. The nets tried it, the suns tried, and now subtracting kat for kd makes some kinda sense?? Really???

And bridges was mismanaged. He had to call his own plays or else INVISIBLE.. THIBS must be given credit for being hudini. He makes players disappear on the court and on the bench. Just let jb dribble for 18 seconds

Absolutely. I mean, if you imagine this Warriors team under coach Kerr, do you think of anything motionless or static: Curry, Bridges, Anunoby, Green, Towns?

They would move off the ball and dominate…

[Nicnac]

Getting kd is maurice cheeks trade 2.0. Trading a player in his prime for a player thst couldnt make a real difference . How did that work out. Lol. Lol.

[SpreeNYK]

The Knicks' core is very strong and should be maintained. A little more depth and the championship product is complete. Kolek as Brunson's replacement is a must, as is Hukporti for KAT/Mitch. Deuce is a tweener, but more of a SG. Shamet is okay, although I'd much prefer DiVincenzo if it were possible. Achiuwa could also be someone who can play for a few minutes.

I wouldn't go for KD; he's too old and too expensive, and not available for free. Surely still a very good player who will help you progress but you have to sacrifice something big to get him.

Giannis is obviously something completely different and a big deal, but I don't think we can get him without losing OG and Bridges. OG is the backbone of the team, I would never touch him. What good are Brunson and Giannis if such an important piece of the puzzle as OG is missing? Nothing! The same goes for Bridges.

Just look at how incredibly important and good he was for us in the Boston series. People are quick to criticize and judge without thinking. The positives about Bridges clearly outweigh the negatives. I feel the same way about OG and Hart. I love this team and see a lot of potential to make it to the Finals. Like I said, a bit more depth, lots of rotation, and a few more set plays in the system, and we'll be fine.

[god shammgod]

Read on Twitter

[god shammgod]

The Knicks — if they keep the core seven in place — need help with defensive, athletic guards with good size and strength. Easy, right? They currently hold only the No. 50 overall pick in the upcoming draft, although the history of this front office is they will shift all around the draft as it goes on.

On the free-agent market, a few names worth looking at:

Malik Beasley, Detroit (UFA): A thorn in the Knicks’ side in the playoffs, knockdown shooter with good defensive ability.

Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee (UFA): Ability to fill it up from long range and toughness.

Matisse Thybulle, Portland (UFA): Missed much of the season, but the defensive stopper shot aa career-best 43.8% from three-point range in limited duty.

Justin Minaya, Portland (two-way contract): Former college defensive player of the year has gotten little run on a two-way deal but is a versatile defender.

Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia (RFA): Not happening, not even with Thibodeau gone. He fits the bench needs of the Knicks, but after leaving on less than the best terms, he excelled with the 76ers and has earned himself a solid contract.

Kris Middleton, Washington (PO): Injuries have taken his star power, but at 34, he could be worth a flier off the bench — particularly if Kidd, his former coach in Milwaukee, comes aboard. 

https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/steve-popper/knicks-coach-yxy13dbk

[Fat Kat]

The Knicks — if they keep the core seven in place — need help with defensive, athletic guards with good size and strength. Easy, right? They currently hold only the No. 50 overall pick in the upcoming draft, although the history of this front office is they will shift all around the draft as it goes on.

On the free-agent market, a few names worth looking at:

Malik Beasley, Detroit (UFA): A thorn in the Knicks’ side in the playoffs, knockdown shooter with good defensive ability.

Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee (UFA): Ability to fill it up from long range and toughness.

Matisse Thybulle, Portland (UFA): Missed much of the season, but the defensive stopper shot aa career-best 43.8% from three-point range in limited duty.

Justin Minaya, Portland (two-way contract): Former college defensive player of the year has gotten little run on a two-way deal but is a versatile defender.

Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia (RFA): Not happening, not even with Thibodeau gone. He fits the bench needs of the Knicks, but after leaving on less than the best terms, he excelled with the 76ers and has earned himself a solid contract.

Kris Middleton, Washington (PO): Injuries have taken his star power, but at 34, he could be worth a flier off the bench — particularly if Kidd, his former coach in Milwaukee, comes aboard. 

https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/steve-popper/knicks-coach-yxy13dbk

Thanks for the list. I wonder who we can get for the taxpayer MLE?

[KnixinSix]

Key words......AT THIS JUNCTURE

To me it reads like a trade request this offseason is rather unlikely. It could be that Milwaukee promised some improvements and Giannis wants to see what their FO can do and then re-evaluate later in the offseason. But maybe he is giving them the upcoming season.

I still think he’ll be dealt this summer. I wouldn’t have thought so two months ago, but this seems inevitable. I could be wrong, of course, but I doubt he’ll become a Knick though

If this was ONLY about maximizing trade value I could easily see Bucks prefering Spurs.

1.They can potentially offer the #2 pick.
2.They have young pieces and additional peices they can add to deal.
3.They play in the West and not the East.

However if its also about doing right by Giannis....It becomes more murky. If he says I am fine with San Antonio thats one thing...but rumors are:

1. He has made multiple comments throughout the years about favoring big cities.
2. He has said playing at the Garden is his favorite place and it brings out the best in him
3. Should the Knicks get Kidd he has probably spoken of him more favorably than any other coach in the league.

I think the league wants the Giannis talk to be quieted until the end of the playoffs. So it will really pick up once the finals are over.

Knicks can make a very strong offer too. If its a rebuild they want they can bring in another team that wants Bridges or OG or even KAT (though I think they want to keep KAT) and turn it to multiple picks.

The four team trade I created earlier in this thread gives them a ton of draft capital including picks 7 and 11 THIS year and all the picks swaps back in subsequent years too. The pick swaps are huge because they can tank and now get the benefit of it instead of the other team.

[KnixinSix]

The Knicks — if they keep the core seven in place — need help with defensive, athletic guards with good size and strength. Easy, right? They currently hold only the No. 50 overall pick in the upcoming draft, although the history of this front office is they will shift all around the draft as it goes on.

On the free-agent market, a few names worth looking at:

Malik Beasley, Detroit (UFA): A thorn in the Knicks’ side in the playoffs, knockdown shooter with good defensive ability.

Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee (UFA): Ability to fill it up from long range and toughness.

Matisse Thybulle, Portland (UFA): Missed much of the season, but the defensive stopper shot aa career-best 43.8% from three-point range in limited duty.

Justin Minaya, Portland (two-way contract): Former college defensive player of the year has gotten little run on a two-way deal but is a versatile defender.

Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia (RFA): Not happening, not even with Thibodeau gone. He fits the bench needs of the Knicks, but after leaving on less than the best terms, he excelled with the 76ers and has earned himself a solid contract.

Kris Middleton, Washington (PO): Injuries have taken his star power, but at 34, he could be worth a flier off the bench — particularly if Kidd, his former coach in Milwaukee, comes aboard. 

https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/steve-popper/knicks-coach-yxy13dbk

Thanks for the list. I wonder who we can get for the taxpayer MLE?

If we pull off Giannis one of these guy would probably be willing to take it. Oubre also is out there and is CAA.

[VirginiaKnickFan]

To me it reads like a trade request this offseason is rather unlikely. It could be that Milwaukee promised some improvements and Giannis wants to see what their FO can do and then re-evaluate later in the offseason. But maybe he is giving them the upcoming season.

I still think he’ll be dealt this summer. I wouldn’t have thought so two months ago, but this seems inevitable. I could be wrong, of course, but I doubt he’ll become a Knick though

If this was ONLY about maximizing trade value I could easily see Bucks prefering Spurs.

1.They can potentially offer the #2 pick.
2.They have young pieces and additional peices they can add to deal.
3.They play in the West and not the East.

However if its also about doing right by Giannis....It becomes more murky. If he says I am fine with San Antonio thats one thing...but rumors are:

1. He has made multiple comments throughout the years about favoring big cities.
2. He has said playing at the Garden is his favorite place and it brings out the best in him
3. Should the Knicks get Kidd he has probably spoken of him more favorably than any other coach in the league.

I think the league wants the Giannis talk to be quieted until the end of the playoffs. So it will really pick up once the finals are over.

Knicks can make a very strong offer too. If its a rebuild they want they can bring in another team that wants Bridges or OG or even KAT (though I think they want to keep KAT) and turn it to multiple picks.

The four team trade I created earlier in this thread gives them a ton of draft capital including picks 7 and 11 THIS year and all the picks swaps back in subsequent years too. The pick swaps are huge because they can tank and now get the benefit of it instead of the other team.

#2. Most NBA players say the same thing.
#3. Knicks aren't getting Kidd.

[TheGreenArrow]

Read on Twitter

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[VirginiaKnickFan]

Read on Twitter

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Good. Get rid of him and Payne.

[KnixinSix]

I still think he’ll be dealt this summer. I wouldn’t have thought so two months ago, but this seems inevitable. I could be wrong, of course, but I doubt he’ll become a Knick though

If this was ONLY about maximizing trade value I could easily see Bucks prefering Spurs.

1.They can potentially offer the #2 pick.
2.They have young pieces and additional peices they can add to deal.
3.They play in the West and not the East.

However if its also about doing right by Giannis....It becomes more murky. If he says I am fine with San Antonio thats one thing...but rumors are:

1. He has made multiple comments throughout the years about favoring big cities.
2. He has said playing at the Garden is his favorite place and it brings out the best in him
3. Should the Knicks get Kidd he has probably spoken of him more favorably than any other coach in the league.

I think the league wants the Giannis talk to be quieted until the end of the playoffs. So it will really pick up once the finals are over.

Knicks can make a very strong offer too. If its a rebuild they want they can bring in another team that wants Bridges or OG or even KAT (though I think they want to keep KAT) and turn it to multiple picks.

The four team trade I created earlier in this thread gives them a ton of draft capital including picks 7 and 11 THIS year and all the picks swaps back in subsequent years too. The pick swaps are huge because they can tank and now get the benefit of it instead of the other team.

#2. Most NBA players say the same thing.
#3. Knicks aren't getting Kidd.

You were a non stop doubter when some were saying there was a legit chance at OG, then at Bridges, then at KAT.

No one is saying its 100% but there most definitely is enough smoke for this to be is a possibility . Negative things and misinformation with all the media out there is always planted. So anyone can cherry pick a negative report if thats what they have already decided in their minds is what they believe.

Further CP/Macri were just talking about the this topic....
Essentially Knicks arent going through all this drama with Kidd without already knowing this is a decent possibility. Likely they have conducted behind the scenes conversations already and have a pretty good idea what it would take to get him....

[Besart19]

Read on Twitter

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I like him... he would be pretty solid under Carlisle, Kidd, Kerr, Udoka and the likes

Wright
Deuce
Shamet
Hart
Achiuwa

Should have been our bench unit this season (Payne, Kolek and Hukporti situational minutes because of injuries)

[Besart19]

If this was ONLY about maximizing trade value I could easily see Bucks prefering Spurs.

1.They can potentially offer the #2 pick.
2.They have young pieces and additional peices they can add to deal.
3.They play in the West and not the East.

However if its also about doing right by Giannis....It becomes more murky. If he says I am fine with San Antonio thats one thing...but rumors are:

1. He has made multiple comments throughout the years about favoring big cities.
2. He has said playing at the Garden is his favorite place and it brings out the best in him
3. Should the Knicks get Kidd he has probably spoken of him more favorably than any other coach in the league.

I think the league wants the Giannis talk to be quieted until the end of the playoffs. So it will really pick up once the finals are over.

Knicks can make a very strong offer too. If its a rebuild they want they can bring in another team that wants Bridges or OG or even KAT (though I think they want to keep KAT) and turn it to multiple picks.

The four team trade I created earlier in this thread gives them a ton of draft capital including picks 7 and 11 THIS year and all the picks swaps back in subsequent years too. The pick swaps are huge because they can tank and now get the benefit of it instead of the other team.

#2. Most NBA players say the same thing.
#3. Knicks aren't getting Kidd.

You were a non stop doubter when some were saying there was a legit chance at OG, then at Bridges, then at KAT.

No one is saying its 100% but there most definitely is enough smoke for this to be is a possibility . Negative things and misinformation with all the media out there is always planted. So anyone can cherry pick a negative report if thats what they have already decided in their minds is what they believe.

Further CP/Macri were just talking about the this topic....
Essentially Knicks arent going through all this drama with Kidd without already knowing this is a decent possibility. Likely they have conducted behind the scenes conversations already and have a pretty good idea what it would take to get him....

I would go after Jaylen Brown if he can be had for Bridges, Hart and two picks (after Mikal extends)

[Jeffrey]

The most obvious move is to trade Mitch. He has a one year deal, his value will never be higher cannot bring him, Mikal and Hart back long term with the second apron situation in a few years.

Would go into the summer with

Towns
OG
Mikal
Deuce
Brunson

Hart
Hukporti
Pacome
Kolek

Mitch making 12.9, cant bring in salary over his correct?

Would look for center hungry teams and target a guard who has strong POA and floor spacing ability to start next to Brunson ideally.. fully embrace a pace and movement ball club.

Why would you want to get rid of the player who may have had one of the greatest impacts in the Knicks last two playoff series?

I’ll admit I have a bias against Mitch, but I think these concerns are worth repeating:

Injury History – We really need to stop calling these "freak accidents." At this point, it's fair to say he's injury-prone. In the new CBA era with second apron, you can't afford that kind of unreliability from a core rotation piece.

Hack-a-Mitch Will Be a Problem in the Playoffs – His free throw shooting has plummeted to near-Shaq levels. That’s a glaring issue in tight postseason games where every possession matters.

Limited Offensively – Pairing Mitch with another offensively limited player like Hart clogs the halfcourt offense. In the regular season, teams play it safe, but the playoffs bring complex defensive schemes that expose this kind of roster imbalance.

Disappears Without Offensive Rebounds – If Mitch isn't grabbing boards or disrupting flow on offense, he fades into the background. That’s not necessarily his fault—it’s just the reality of his skill set.

Interior vs. Perimeter Defense – This is more about where the NBA is today than Mitch himself. He can guard bigs and swat threes, but perimeter switches and spacing-heavy offenses limit his impact. The league demands versatility and switchability, especially in the playoffs.

Is there a solution, no not really because Mitch's defense and rebounding presence is everywhere. If we keep him, we need to limit him to 18-25 minutes.

[KnixinSix]

The most obvious move is to trade Mitch. He has a one year deal, his value will never be higher cannot bring him, Mikal and Hart back long term with the second apron situation in a few years.

Would go into the summer with

Towns
OG
Mikal
Deuce
Brunson

Hart
Hukporti
Pacome
Kolek

Mitch making 12.9, cant bring in salary over his correct?

Would look for center hungry teams and target a guard who has strong POA and floor spacing ability to start next to Brunson ideally.. fully embrace a pace and movement ball club.

Why would you want to get rid of the player who may have had one of the greatest impacts in the Knicks last two playoff series?

I’ll admit I have a bias against Mitch, but I think these concerns are worth repeating:

Injury History – We really need to stop calling these "freak accidents." At this point, it's fair to say he's injury-prone. In the new CBA era with second apron, you can't afford that kind of unreliability from a core rotation piece.

Hack-a-Mitch Will Be a Problem in the Playoffs – His free throw shooting has plummeted to near-Shaq levels. That’s a glaring issue in tight postseason games where every possession matters.

Limited Offensively – Pairing Mitch with another offensively limited player like Hart clogs the halfcourt offense. In the regular season, teams play it safe, but the playoffs bring complex defensive schemes that expose this kind of roster imbalance.

Disappears Without Offensive Rebounds – If Mitch isn't grabbing boards or disrupting flow on offense, he fades into the background. That’s not necessarily his fault—it’s just the reality of his skill set.

Interior vs. Perimeter Defense – This is more about where the NBA is today than Mitch himself. He can guard bigs and swat threes, but perimeter switches and spacing-heavy offenses limit his impact. The league demands versatility and switchability, especially in the playoffs.

Is there a solution, no not really because Mitch's defense and rebounding presence is everywhere. If we keep him, we need to limit him to 18-25 minutes.

Mitch is undoubtedly a defensive force multiplier. Yes he has weaknesses but if used properly he is your Mariano Rivera closer who Thibs did NOT bring in to hold a 16 pt lead in game 1 of the ECF. He also supplements everything KAT does not do.