Trades and Transactions Thread - 2025 Season Discussion

[R-DAWG]

Yabusele has 28/7 against the Nuggets while playing center. I wouldn't trade him if I were them.

Keep in mind he’s also a 29 year old that’s on a minimum contract without bird rights, no real path to resign him. Our 2nd rd pick collection is getting thin, so not sure I would back the truck up here.

Maybe Yabusele and a 2nd for Pacome could make sense. This at least opens up the taxpayer mid level to keep Yaba around long term and gives Philly a development prospect on a rookie scale deal the next 3 years.

The Eric Gordon piece is interesting as well, as he’s probably an upgrade over Cam Payne in that role.

[KnixinSix]

Just like how you laughed at the prospects of us trading for KAT, Bridges and OG?

No. The trade packages for these guys were viewed as reasonable at the time.

The question mark was the bad blood with the Nets and with the Raptors. In addition to the believe that DiVicenzo was untradable due to the Vilanova connection.

Now, we are trying to get good young players in a rookie deal from tanking teams that do not need to give them away for a package of second rounds or assets of second-round value.

Bridges was a massive overpay. Even with how well Bridges has played he will never be with what NY gave up for him. Even if none of those picks turn into top 10 picks the lack of draft flexibility is crippling for the Knicks and it will be more noticeable as the years go on.

The Anunoby trade feels lien a win-win. OG is better fit on NY’s roster and Barrett has terrific for the Raptors. I think we caught a break not paying Immanuel Quickely 35mm per year but you could make the argument that a straight Barrett-OG swap was fair value wise.

The Towns trade was a massive steal. Not just getting Towns but also getting out of the Julius Randle business.

Looking at the combined trades:
Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Donte DiVencenzo, Immanuel Quickeky, Quentin Grimes (part of Bogdonovic trade), 4 unprotected 1st rd picks, 2 protected 1st rd pick, 1 unprotected pick swap, 5 2nd rd picks for Karl Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.

Combined it’s reasonable value, but it’s still A LOT of value.

Leon and Co have not yet shown the ability to get creative in the margins with limited assets, which they will need to do the next handful of trade cycles.

One could potentially argue that Bridges is not worth 5 picks. But in a Thibodeau system I disagree. He was once a 26pt a game player and in last 4 years has averaged right at around 20 pts a game. He came in 2nd in DPOY one year and is a long rangy high IQ defender thst can defend mutliple positions. The 5 picks we gave up almost all are likely very low 1st round picks. We gave up no players of substance in the deal. So yes if you want to call it in overpay maybe since it was quite a few picks but it isn't really an overpay by much in todays market.

[KnixinSix]

Yabusele has 28/7 against the Nuggets while playing center. I wouldn't trade him if I were them.

Keep in mind he’s also a 29 year old that’s on a minimum contract without bird rights, no real path to resign him. Our 2nd rd pick collection is getting thin, so not sure I would back the truck up here.

Maybe Yabusele and a 2nd for Pacome could make sense. This at least opens up the taxpayer mid level to keep Yaba around long term and gives Philly a development prospect on a rookie scale deal the next 3 years.

The Eric Gordon piece is interesting as well, as he’s probably an upgrade over Cam Payne in that role.

I don't know if Philly would deal with us but its an interesting trade idea. He is supercheap salary matching wise and no need then to give up Precious or Mitch.

I also like Boucher and Masai may be willing to gamble on Mitchs health for later this season and next on a reasonable contract.

Kolek Im betting is viewed by some as a pretty high upside PG. That vision and passing ability is elite and he has most definitely flashed it.

Boucher + Ochai for Mitch and Kolek and a pick makes sense to me. We only get 1/2 year out of Boucher but get Ochai for another full season. They get a few years out of Kolek and another full season of Mitch.

[KnixinSix]

Spurs trading for Fox while the Knicks are left settling for other teams scraps and castoffs. Sad.

This is wrong

Buzzy is buzzin

[KnixinSix]

I would keep Mitch. He’ll have more value as an expiring contract in the off-season

If you trade for a Kessler let's say, he is super cheap contract wise and wouldn't need Mitch to salary match.

Um... you do realize Danny Ainge is the GM of the Utah Jazz, right??

A lot comes down to what teams think of Kolek's upside (which Im betting quite a few feel is pretty high and therefore worth a decent valued first round pick i.e more than just a typical contenders non lottery type pick)

We also know they worked out Dadiet and are on a longer term rebuild so he fits their timeline too.

We will find out in a few days.

[DaGawd]

If you trade for a Kessler let's say, he is super cheap contract wise and wouldn't need Mitch to salary match.

Um... you do realize Danny Ainge is the GM of the Utah Jazz, right??

A lot comes down to what teams think of Kolek's upside (which Im betting quite a few feel is pretty high and therefore worth a decent valued first round pick i.e more than just a typical contenders non lottery type pick)

We also know they worked out Dadiet and are on a longer term rebuild so he fits their timeline too.

We will find out in a few days.

it’s not gonna be cheap, it was reported a few days ago the lakers keep calling about kessler but ainge’s asking price is sky high

[DaGawd]

Spurs trading for Fox while the Knicks are left settling for other teams scraps and castoffs. Sad.

we should trade for kawhi imo, he’s the missing bench piece

[KnixinSix]

Um... you do realize Danny Ainge is the GM of the Utah Jazz, right??

A lot comes down to what teams think of Kolek's upside (which Im betting quite a few feel is pretty high and therefore worth a decent valued first round pick i.e more than just a typical contenders non lottery type pick)

We also know they worked out Dadiet and are on a longer term rebuild so he fits their timeline too.

We will find out in a few days.

it’s not gonna be cheap, it was reported a few days ago the lakers keep calling about kessler but ainge’s asking price is sky high

No doubt . For this iteration I have:

Kolek+ Dadiet+ 2030 1st pick swap+ 3-4 2ndRPs

The reason they do it is the belief they like Kolek and Dadiet a good amount i.e the value of around 2 decent 1st round picks. They are on a longer timeline so Dadiet and the 2030 has more value for a team like that.

Again it might not work out but to think that is not a legit offer for a nice role player but not superstar in Kessler is silly

[VirginiaKnickFan]

A lot comes down to what teams think of Kolek's upside (which Im betting quite a few feel is pretty high and therefore worth a decent valued first round pick i.e more than just a typical contenders non lottery type pick)

We also know they worked out Dadiet and are on a longer term rebuild so he fits their timeline too.

We will find out in a few days.

it’s not gonna be cheap, it was reported a few days ago the lakers keep calling about kessler but ainge’s asking price is sky high

No doubt . For this iteration I have:

Kolek+ Dadiet+ 2030 1st pick swap+ 3-4 2ndRPs

The reason they do it is the belief they like Kolek and Dadiet a good amount i.e the value of around 2 decent 1st round picks. They are on a longer timeline so Dadiet and the 2030 has more value for a team like that.

Again it might not work out but to think that is not a legit offer for a nice role player but not superstar in Kessler is silly

Unless the Knicks magically acquire some unconditioned first round picks, that's not happening after the Lakers were already turned down for a larger package of picks and players.

[R-DAWG]

You guys really have to stop throwing in names of young players on rookie deals, nobody is giving up a decent young player for anything we're offering.

I can see Abajai traded for a trio of 2nd rd picks. It’s consistent with what other guys on his level are traded for as they enter RFA (Rui, Quentin Grimes).

Could also see Pacome for Abajai making sense here as well. Toronto’s gets two extra rookie scale years and NY gets a player who is more ready to contribute. Issue becomes matching salary as you need to include Sims + Shamet + Precious to make the math work (Precious isn’t a throw in IMO) and I’m not sure there is enough room to replace two roster spots with minimums post trade.

Expanding on the above - Pacome + Shamet + Sims for Abajai leaves NY 1,469,000 below the apron with 2 open roster spots. Not sure what the pro rated minimum for 30 games is, but I think there is a way to swing this with the 14 days where you can have less and 14 contracts on the roster.

Correction here - acquiring Abajai for Pacome would push us north of the 2nd apron next year unless we move Mitch, either in this deal or part of a different deal. Anajai makes +/- $3.5MM more than Pacome next year, which would leave NY +/- $5.4MM below the 2nd apron with 4 open roster spots.

I like the idea of using 2nd rd picks to acquire rookie scale guys entering their 4th year, but the lack of draft assets (including very few valuable 2nds) and room below the apron is very limiting if not yet crippling.

[R-DAWG]

it’s not gonna be cheap, it was reported a few days ago the lakers keep calling about kessler but ainge’s asking price is sky high

No doubt . For this iteration I have:

Kolek+ Dadiet+ 2030 1st pick swap+ 3-4 2ndRPs

The reason they do it is the belief they like Kolek and Dadiet a good amount i.e the value of around 2 decent 1st round picks. They are on a longer timeline so Dadiet and the 2030 has more value for a team like that.

Again it might not work out but to think that is not a legit offer for a nice role player but not superstar in Kessler is silly

Unless the Knicks magically acquire some unconditioned first round picks, that's not happening after the Lakers were already turned down for a larger package of picks and players.

I very much disagree with KnicksinSix and his value of some of our players. But a 2030 unprotected pick swap is a solid asset. Our guys will be in their early to mid 30's with a ton of miles on them, and the credit card bill in which Mikal Bridges was acquired with combined with lack of cap space will start to show. Long story short - the back end of the 7 year run with this group has disaster potential - a declining team heading to a rebuild without control of their draft for multiple years. I don't think it's enough for Kessler, and frankly, it' more likely than not that we are a play-in team from 29-31 with Brunson in his age 32, 33 and 34 seasons. But the asset does have value.

[VirginiaKnickFan]

No doubt . For this iteration I have:

Kolek+ Dadiet+ 2030 1st pick swap+ 3-4 2ndRPs

The reason they do it is the belief they like Kolek and Dadiet a good amount i.e the value of around 2 decent 1st round picks. They are on a longer timeline so Dadiet and the 2030 has more value for a team like that.

Again it might not work out but to think that is not a legit offer for a nice role player but not superstar in Kessler is silly

Unless the Knicks magically acquire some unconditioned first round picks, that's not happening after the Lakers were already turned down for a larger package of picks and players.

I very much disagree with KnicksinSix and his value of some of our players. But a 2030 unprotected pick swap is a solid asset. Our guys will be in their early to mid 30's with a ton of miles on them, and the credit card bill in which Mikal Bridges was acquired with combined with lack of cap space will start to show. Long story short - the back end of the 7 year run with this group has disaster potential - a declining team heading to a rebuild without control of their draft for multiple years. I don't think it's enough for Kessler, and frankly, it' more likely than not that we are a play-in team from 29-31 with Brunson in his age 32, 33 and 34 seasons. But the asset does have value.

The window to win it all is in the next 3-4 years. After that, without our own draft picks, it's going to be a potentially awful period similar to the Isiah Thomas run Knicks, with aging players and no draft picks to rebuild upon.

[thebuzzardman]

5 shopping days until Mitch is an ex Knick

[KnixinSix]

Unless the Knicks magically acquire some unconditioned first round picks, that's not happening after the Lakers were already turned down for a larger package of picks and players.

I very much disagree with KnicksinSix and his value of some of our players. But a 2030 unprotected pick swap is a solid asset. Our guys will be in their early to mid 30's with a ton of miles on them, and the credit card bill in which Mikal Bridges was acquired with combined with lack of cap space will start to show. Long story short - the back end of the 7 year run with this group has disaster potential - a declining team heading to a rebuild without control of their draft for multiple years. I don't think it's enough for Kessler, and frankly, it' more likely than not that we are a play-in team from 29-31 with Brunson in his age 32, 33 and 34 seasons. But the asset does have value.

The window to win it all is in the next 3-4 years. After that, without our own draft picks, it's going to be a potentially awful period similar to the Isiah Thomas run Knicks, with aging players and no draft picks to rebuild upon.

Virginia....asmentioned before and of course we are all speculating to various extents here but my estimation of the value of Kolek and Dadiet but especially Kolek is higher than yours. If Ainge sees those two assets in the low light that you do then you are 100% correct no deal would happen.

R Dawg I think you are seeing this in a little more pragmatic perspective than others are. I may see Kolek in a higher light than most but I truly believe he is considered a legit first round asset value and maybe more to some evaluators. And that 2030 absolutely carries value for teams on a longer term rebuild like Utah.

[KnixinSix]

Unless the Knicks magically acquire some unconditioned first round picks, that's not happening after the Lakers were already turned down for a larger package of picks and players.

I very much disagree with KnicksinSix and his value of some of our players. But a 2030 unprotected pick swap is a solid asset. Our guys will be in their early to mid 30's with a ton of miles on them, and the credit card bill in which Mikal Bridges was acquired with combined with lack of cap space will start to show. Long story short - the back end of the 7 year run with this group has disaster potential - a declining team heading to a rebuild without control of their draft for multiple years. I don't think it's enough for Kessler, and frankly, it' more likely than not that we are a play-in team from 29-31 with Brunson in his age 32, 33 and 34 seasons. But the asset does have value.

The window to win it all is in the next 3-4 years. After that, without our own draft picks, it's going to be a potentially awful period similar to the Isiah Thomas run Knicks, with aging players and no draft picks to rebuild upon.

Which is EXACTLY why the 2030 would have strong value to some teams. Combine that with at least entertaining the possibility that Kolek has decent value Virgina and the offer I mentioned above absolutely at least has potential to be a strong offer for a non superstar but nice role player in Kessler.

Ainge is always using media to drive up the price and will wait till last minute to make his deal. If he likes Kolek enough and that 2030 enough (which at the very least is a possibility) then a Kolek/Dadiet/2030 swap/couple 2nds offer is very strong.

[Fat Kat]

Read on Twitter

[KnixinSix]

Read on Twitter

Bouchet could absolutely be a legitimate.Move too and not a bad consolation prize to kesslur

[VirginiaKnickFan]

I very much disagree with KnicksinSix and his value of some of our players. But a 2030 unprotected pick swap is a solid asset. Our guys will be in their early to mid 30's with a ton of miles on them, and the credit card bill in which Mikal Bridges was acquired with combined with lack of cap space will start to show. Long story short - the back end of the 7 year run with this group has disaster potential - a declining team heading to a rebuild without control of their draft for multiple years. I don't think it's enough for Kessler, and frankly, it' more likely than not that we are a play-in team from 29-31 with Brunson in his age 32, 33 and 34 seasons. But the asset does have value.

The window to win it all is in the next 3-4 years. After that, without our own draft picks, it's going to be a potentially awful period similar to the Isiah Thomas run Knicks, with aging players and no draft picks to rebuild upon.

Which is EXACTLY why the 2030 would have strong value to some teams. Combine that with at least entertaining the possibility that Kolek has decent value Virgina and the offer I mentioned above absolutely at least has potential to be a strong offer for a non superstar but nice role player in Kessler.

Ainge is always using media to drive up the price and will wait till last minute to make his deal. If he likes Kolek enough and that 2030 enough (which at the very least is a possibility) then a Kolek/Dadiet/2030 swap/couple 2nds offer is very strong.

Last week, the Jazz traded three first-rounders to the Phoenix Suns for a 2031 unprotected first-round pick. Utah traded away its 2025 least favorable first-round pick (Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah (protected)), 2027 least favorable first-round pick (Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah), and 2029 least favorable first-round pick (Cleveland, Minnesota (protected), or Utah). Ainge wants to replace the 2027 AND the 2029 picks, both of which were offered by Lakers. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Lakers have made several offers for Kessler and have been rebuffed, as have many other teams. It's clear that the sole Knicks 2030 and Kolek won't get it done.

[VirginiaKnickFan]

Yabusele has 28/7 against the Nuggets while playing center. I wouldn't trade him if I were them.

Keep in mind he’s also a 29 year old that’s on a minimum contract without bird rights, no real path to resign him. Our 2nd rd pick collection is getting thin, so not sure I would back the truck up here.

Maybe Yabusele and a 2nd for Pacome could make sense. This at least opens up the taxpayer mid level to keep Yaba around long term and gives Philly a development prospect on a rookie scale deal the next 3 years.

The Eric Gordon piece is interesting as well, as he’s probably an upgrade over Cam Payne in that role.

I don't know if Philly would deal with us but its an interesting trade idea. He is supercheap salary matching wise and no need then to give up Precious or Mitch.

I also like Boucher and Masai may be willing to gamble on Mitchs health for later this season and next on a reasonable contract.

Kolek Im betting is viewed by some as a pretty high upside PG. That vision and passing ability is elite and he has most definitely flashed it.

Boucher + Ochai for Mitch and Kolek and a pick makes sense to me. We only get 1/2 year out of Boucher but get Ochai for another full season. They get a few years out of Kolek and another full season of Mitch.

A "full season" of Mitch is what? Mitch has averaged 53 games played a season over his 6 year career.

[KnixinSix]

The window to win it all is in the next 3-4 years. After that, without our own draft picks, it's going to be a potentially awful period similar to the Isiah Thomas run Knicks, with aging players and no draft picks to rebuild upon.

Which is EXACTLY why the 2030 would have strong value to some teams. Combine that with at least entertaining the possibility that Kolek has decent value Virgina and the offer I mentioned above absolutely at least has potential to be a strong offer for a non superstar but nice role player in Kessler.

Ainge is always using media to drive up the price and will wait till last minute to make his deal. If he likes Kolek enough and that 2030 enough (which at the very least is a possibility) then a Kolek/Dadiet/2030 swap/couple 2nds offer is very strong.

Last week, the Jazz traded three first-rounders to the Phoenix Suns for a 2031 unprotected first-round pick. Utah traded away its 2025 least favorable first-round pick (Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah (protected)), 2027 least favorable first-round pick (Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah), and 2029 least favorable first-round pick (Cleveland, Minnesota (protected), or Utah). Ainge wants to replace the 2027 AND the 2029 picks, both of which were offered by Lakers. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Lakers have made several offers for Kessler and have been rebuffed, as have many other teams. It's clear that the sole Knicks 2030 and Kolek won't get it done.

Ok I hear you and you could be absolutely right.... However, trades like this can be more nuanced in the overall grand scheme of things. For instance, what if there are other things that Ainge is trying to do.....And if they go through, he will value a strong prospect more in a subsequent deal and if that's the case and he does like Kolek a lot and that 2030, our offer could be a very strong offer for them. I am not even calling this a 50/50 thing but I am acknowledging that the potential is there.