7 Trades the Knicks Should Consider This Off-Season

The New York Knicks' season came to a crushing end against the Indiana Pacers, losing 4-2 in a series that exposed fundamental flaws while simultaneously showcasing their potential. The Pacers, living up to their name, ran the Knicks out of the gym in every single game. Despite reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, by firing Tom Thibodeau the Knicks made it abundantly clear that this off-season will be an active one.

However, the path to improving this roster is complex. The Knicks’ aggressive acquisition of Mikal Bridges, which cost them six first-round picks and swaps, has not yielded the expected returns. Despite late game defensive heroics against Boston, Bridges’ regression as a scorer and his expiring contract have diminished his trade value. With limited draft assets remaining, the Knicks face a pivotal decision: trading Karl-Anthony Towns or Josh Hart to reconfigure the roster and address the team’s shortcomings.

What the Playoffs Exposed

Playing against Indiana laid bare the Knicks' fundamental issues on both ends of the floor. Defensively, the Pacers ruthlessly hunted Brunson and Towns in pick-and-rolls, switches, and isolation, exposing their lack of athleticism and discipline. Offensively, the duo devolved into your-turn-my-turn isolation basketball. While their individual talent makes this approach effective against most teams, Indiana's fast, swarming defense overwhelmed them completely.

The Mitchell Robinson Factor

One crucial discovery emerged from this playoff run: Mitchell Robinson was absolutely incredible, serving as a dominant force on the boards. The Knicks likely would have lost in four or five games without the decision to insert Robinson into the starting lineup over Josh Hart. Playing Robinson at center and moving Towns to power forward helped cover the defensive deficiencies they'd been experiencing with Towns anchoring the middle. This move sent Josh Hart to the bench and there’s a very real chance he never starts a playoff game for the Knicks again.

Two Paths Forward for New York

It’s fair to say that certain players are untouchable: Brunson is the heart and soul of a city desperate for a championship, OG Anunoby provides irreplaceable two-way value, and it would be ill-advised to move McBride, who’s on one of the best contracts in the league. Bridges, while disappointing, is also unlikely to be moved considering the price the Knicks paid to get him.

This leaves two options: trading Josh Hart or trading Karl-Anthony Towns. New York’s asset cupboard is nearly bare, with first-round swaps in 2030 and 2032 remaining as their only valuable trade chips.

The Giannis Pipedream

Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the belle of the ball if he hits the trade market this summer, but unfortunately the Knicks lack the assets to compete in a bidding war unless Giannis specifically demands New York. Teams like Houston and San Antonio can easily outbid them, even if the Knicks include Towns and both future swaps.

Realistic Star Targets

To justify moving on from Towns, the Knicks would need to receive an even better star in return to maintain their championship window. Two potentially available players fit this criteria:

Anthony Davis: With Dallas winning the Cooper Flagg lottery, the cloud over the Luka Dončić trade has lifted. The Mavericks might consider swapping Davis for the younger Towns, who better fits Flagg's timeline and still allows Dallas to compete for a playoff spot. The Knicks would likely need to include their 2030 swap to sweeten the deal, but Davis provides elite defense and has proven to be a championship-quality 2nd option.

 (Trade: Karl Anthony Towns + 2030 pick swap)

Kawhi Leonard: Another proven champion. Kawhi would allow the Knicks to play more traditional lineups while providing perimeter scoring to complement Brunson. Leonard has had a disappointing tenure with the Clippers, failing to reach the Finals or win a championship. While there haven’t been rumblings, it’s reasonable to consider that the Clipper’s recent first round exit might make him look elsewhere. He'd immediately help the Knicks upgrade their defense and arguably become their primary option on offense. The Knicks may even be able to swap him for Towns without adding picks.

(Trade: Karl Anthony Towns straight up)

The Josh Hart Alternative

If the Knicks commit to keeping Towns, Josh Hart becomes the logical trade candidate. His inability to shoot and ball-dominant nature makes him a difficult fit in a future rotation that heavily features Mitchell Robinson. Unfortunately, his fit is questionable on most NBA teams and the Knicks will likely need to add one of their draft swaps as sweetener to acquire a similarly impactful player..

Several targets make sense:

Malik Monk from Sacramento could provide dynamic offensive creation and off-ball scoring, taking pressure off Brunson as the Knicks reimagine their offense.

(Trade: Josh Hart + 2030 pick swap)

Herb Jones from New Orleans offers elite defense, rivaling and even surpassing Anunoby's impact while providing better spacing than Hart. 

(Trade: Josh Hart + 2030 pick swap & 2032 swap protected 1-4)

Marcus Smart brings championship pedigree and defensive player of the year credentials, despite recently being salary dumped on the Washington Wizards. 

(Trade: Josh Hart + a second-round pick)

Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu from Chicago could provide a defensive presence in the backcourt and an ability to push in transition that mimics Indiana's successful formula with T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard next to Tyrese Haliburton. 

(Trade: Josh Hart straight up.)

Cam Johnson from Brooklyn offers elite shooting and a better offensive fit, though Knicks fans might not stomach another trade with the team across the river. 

(Trade: Josh Hart + 2030 pick swap)

The Bottom Line

The Knicks find themselves in remarkably good position despite this playoff disappointment and a vacant head coach position. They've built a foundation with two genuine stars and reached heights not seen in over two decades. A few peripheral changes and a coaching upgrade should vault them into true championship contender status alongside Oklahoma City.