As the NBA’s much-anticipated February 6 trade deadline approaches, rumors are flying around about what many organizations will do to change their roster. Whether their purpose is to improve a contending roster, join the top class of the league, or trade away talent to tank, most franchises have an objective at the deadline. Among those teams trying to improve a championship-level squad is the New York Knicks. Tom Thibodeau’s group has clear weaknesses that have surfaced over the past three weeks. These needs must be addressed for fear of wasting a season, but how? A trade involving Mitchell Robinson or Jericho Sims may be the Knicks’ best option.
Trading Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims Among Knicks Options
When GM Leon Rose decided to move on from most of his depth in exchange for OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns, he left the roster very top-heavy. With that said, the ridiculous talent level of the starting five has led to tremendous success. New York has a 28-16 record, a top-six net rating, and the second-best offense in basketball.
However, after the starters, the rest of the team leaves much to be desired. Deuce McBride has struggled at times throughout an injury-riddled campaign. Landry Shamet and Precious Achiuwa each missed extended time, and Robinson hasn’t stepped on the floor yet in 2024-25. These injuries have left an incredible burden on the top five guys, and the cracks are starting to show. Exhaustion could partially be to blame for much of their poor defensive effort in January, with four of the top five in minutes played being Knicks on the season. Bridges and Anunoby haven’t been the defensive duo we all expected. Their absurd minute totals likely have something to do with that.
Unfortunately for New York, their top-heavy roster also makes it difficult to make meaningful trades. With the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, they essentially cannot make any expensive deals without moving one of their five starters. They’re very unlikely to do that, as their starting lineup has been one of basketball’s best.
So, what does Rose have to work with in trade season? He has several lower-tier assets, and a medium-tier trade piece in Robinson.
Knicks Have Enough for Several Trade Scenarios
The first trade scenario that New York can explore is moving Robinson’s two-year, $27.3 million deal for a mid-level contract in return. The Knicks needs are a backup big and a bench wing. Robinson’s contract allows them to make a more aggressive trade for someone like Cameron Johnson ($22.5M), Clint Capela ($22.3M) or Jakob Poeltl ($19.5M). These moves are somewhat unlikely because it would require additional money to balance the deal, as well as possible draft compensation. Robinson’s health is also a huge issue for his trade prospects. However, he does carry solid value on the market when healthy, and could help New York net a useful player.
Other options including Robinson in the deal could be Jonas Valanciunas, Walker Kessler, Robert Williams, and Isaiah Stewart.
Sims Should be Moved At Deadline
New York has several bench guys who could be involved in a trade for quality role players. Sims (one-year, $2.1M), Achiuwa (one-year, $6M), and Cameron Payne (one-year, $2.1M) are all veterans who could be moved for a depth upgrade. Thibodeau loves Achiuwa’s defensive versatility, and Payne has been a spark off the pine, making Sims most likely to be shown the door.
While Sims has serious defensive upside as a switchable big man who can guard on the perimeter and at the rim, his offensive weaknesses make him nearly unplayable. In a playoff setting, New York would be playing four-on-five offense whenever he’s on the floor. If he cannot crack the postseason rotation, there’s no reason not to shop him for someone who can help the Knicks off the bench. Whether that’s a wing or a big, Rose needs to turn an unplayable player into one that Thibs can trust.
Knicks Rookies Could Be On The Trade Block
The only other assets New York has are their three rookies: Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, and Ariel Hukporti. All three have shown flashes in limited minutes, especially Kolek and Hukporti. However, Thibodeau is famous for being slow to accept young players (Immanuel Quickley and McBride come to mind). The likelihood of any of the three contributing for the rest of the season is slim, so New York should consider moving them to get win-now pieces in the building.
Whether Rose uses Robinson’s big contract, smaller bench deals, or his rookies, he must make some deadline moves to improve the team. As currently constructed, they are likely to run out of gas before the ultimate goal.
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