The New York Knicks are ready to compete at the top of the Eastern Conference with their trades from the summer of 2024. However, they could make further moves that bolster their chances of competing for a championship.
New York is one of the most interesting teams in the Eastern Conference, as they have a loaded roster that has led to an 18-10 record, but they could still improve. They have high expectations after nearly making it into the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2024 Playoffs.
The Knicks have some potential trades where Mitchell Robinson is the most enticing trade piece. He has not played a game this season, but he has a good enough reputation to entice other teams to trade for him. Let us look at the collection of trade targets and divide them into primary, secondary, must-avoid, and alternative targets.
Primary – Walker Kessler
As arguably the best defensive big in the trade market, Walker Kessler can be a fantastic player for the New York Knicks. He is averaging a solid double-double of 10.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. Kessler is a fantastic player who would likely take a backseat as a bench center for the Knicks.
That might not sound appealing to most players, but competing for a championship could convince Walker Kessler to be open to the move. At the same time, Karl-Anthony Towns has experience playing the power forward position in his previous team, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Towns is thriving as the starting center, averaging 24.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. But, he has no issues moving over to power forward because of his success with the Timberwolves. Kessler provides the rebounding and rim protection the team has missed without Mitchell Robinson in the lineup.
Kessler can become the starting center for the Knicks that way, while OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges slide a position down. A trade package was built a few months ago, which could be revisited to get Kessler and Jordan Clarkson to resolve the rim protection and bench-scoring issues that have led to some targets.
Secondary – Isaiah Stewart, Nick Richards, Andre Drummond
Isaiah Stewart has been involved in the trade market for a while, and the Detroit Pistons are willing to trade him. He is a reliable big man, who can reliably protect the rim, averaging six points, six rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.4 minutes a game. He is a physical bruiser, which the New York Knicks would need, but his 6’8” frame might be a bit of a turn-off.
Nick Richards is a good fit for the Knicks because he fits right in the void that Isaiah Hartenstein left when he joined the Oklahoma City Thunder. Richards is a big physical center who loves running.
That kind of motor is what New York needs because the hustle can help Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns get more opportunities with the rebounds. Richards averages 11.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He can fit well under Coach Tom Thibodeau either in the starting lineup or on the bench.
Andre Drummond is also an inspired choice because he has been a superb backup center for a while. He was a rock-solid starting center before, but he continues to contribute this season. Drummond has started more games than expected, but he remains productive with averages of 7.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
He would be a fantastic fit in the backup center role, especially since Karl-Anthony Towns can take a break, knowing that a good center is backing him up and playing well when he sits down.
Must Avoid – Kyle Kuzma, Patrick Williams
While Kyle Kuzma has been stellar over the past few years, he is not the answer for the New York Knicks in the wing position. He is having a down year with averages of 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. The inefficiency also stands out with a terrible 27.6% from beyond the arc.
The Washington Wizards want to trade Kuzma, but the Knicks should not consider getting him because he is not the answer to the wing depth they need to remedy.
Much is the same with Patrick Williams, averaging 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He is efficient from beyond the arc at 37.4% but has a lower field goal percentage at 37.1% is a massive red flag for any team. Williams has all the physical tools to succeed in the NBA but has failed to find his footing to live up to being selected fourth overall in 2021.
Alternative – Jakob Poeltl, Robert Williams III
If the New York Knicks get a shot at Jakob Poeltl, it would probably be the move that gets rave reviews. The Austrian center averages 15.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game this season.
Poeltl is arguably the most underrated center in the league, which could lead to him being a coveted trade piece. New York is not the likely destination for Poeltl, but if the front office could make a trade package that entices the Toronto Raptors, it is worth it because the Austrian fits the Knicks well.
The last player to be discussed is Robert Williams III from the Portland Trail Blazers. While he has faced injuries throughout his career, the upside with Williams is undeniable. He was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate during his time with the Boston Celtics, so the New York Knicks could recapture that magic if they trade for him as a partner to the All-Star, Towns.
