The Knicks shook up the league with their blockbuster trade for Mikal Bridges earlier this offseason, following up with a huge draft that saw an influx of young talent compete in NBA Summer League for a potential rotation spot. Outside of the Olympics, there’s little NBA action to consume until training camp begins in a couple of months, yet it doesn’t feel as if Leon Rose and company are done dealing.
One question surrounding this Knicks roster as presently constructed is what they plan to do at the center position after losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. Mitchell Robinson is a dependable starter, but the depth behind him is a bit shaky, between the unproven Jericho Sims, newly drafted Ariel Hukporti and G-League prospect Dmytro Skapintsev.
While there are some free agent options still available to New York, including bringing back Precious Achiuwa – with whom the the team has remained in regular contact – the Knicks still have some avenues to make a bigger upgrade via trade. Here are five potential deals they could weigh before going into the 2024-25 season.
Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa for Clint Capela
If the Knicks are dead set on maintaining two weapons at the five spot and see McBride as expendable in light of Tyler Kolek’s Summer League, trading for a starting caliber center could be an intriguing move for the front office. There aren’t a great deal of high-end bigs available, but the retooling Hawks could look to part ways with Capela.
Losing McBride would hurt, and New York would need to sign-and-trade Achiuwa plus use their trade exception from the OG Anunoby deal to match salary figures. But in return, they’d receive a picture perfect addition, a rim-running defender that consistently tops the league in offensive rebounding.
Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa for Brook Lopez
In a similar vein to the Capela deal, the Knicks can target Lopez, another center whose talent helps make up for the loss of Hartenstein. Unlike with Capela, Lopez brings a fresh look from the five spot New York hasn’t seen before.
Although he’s 36 years old, Lopez is still a solid defender, and while his…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/5-potential-knicks-trades-center-142704339.html
Author : SNY
Publish date : 2024-07-24 14:27:04
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