ESPN DROPS UPDATE On Knicks Trade Situation... | Knicks News | The Knicks Recap Podcast

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ESPN just dropped an update on the Knicks trade situation. We're gonna break down all of these latest reports today.

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Trade Update. Everyone wants to know what the Knicks are going to do at the NBA trade deadline. Well, recently, multiple ESPN insiders weighed in on this situation and what the Knicks are going to do at the deadline. And this is what they had to say. First, they answered the question regarding what's next for the New York Knicks. And this is what they had to say. According to ESPN, the Knicks are putting off contract issues until the off season. And there's not a lot of flexibility, especially with owner James Dolan proclaiming he won't go into the second apron. If Mikel Bridges continues to struggle, do the Knicks start to canvas the league? But then again, he's owed over $116.5 million over the next three seasons, including a player option in the 2029-2030 season. The hope is that he turns it around similar to last season, because this team is in need of shot creation and shot making.

What about the type of trade the Knicks can make based on the assets that they have right now? Well, according to ESPN, they state the following regarding the type of trades that they can pull off. The Knicks faced the same limitations last season, but were still able to trade for backup guard Jose Alvarado. This season, New York is 809,000 below the 2nd April, and is not allowed to sign a player until February 14th. The Knicks can use Pacom D'Adie's 3 million expiring contract in a trade, but cannot take back more salary. New York is not allowed to sign a player waived who had a pre-existing salary of 15 million or more. The Knicks have one first-round pick and 12 second-rounders available to trade. This is coming directly from ESPN insider Bobby Marks.

And if the Knicks do end up making a trade, what type of player, what position are they mainly focused on? Well, if you followed New York during this past offseason, you can probably answer that question. According to ESPN, what are the Knicks missing? The Knicks had, by definition, a championship level roster last season, and the only player they lost was Mitchell Robinson. Andre Drummond has served as a serviceable replacement so far, and it's difficult to imagine New York finding many better options on the trade market. But if one presents itself, then that's the clearest spot on the Knicks roster worth improving.

First things first, let me just put this out there because it needs to be said. I don't believe any of the Knicks starters, including McHale Bridges, will be moved at the trade deadline. I just don't think that's going to happen. A trade of that magnitude, breaking up the starting unit, the championship core, if that trade is going to happen, it's going to happen this off season. And that's the only time I can see a trade like that happening. Regarding what the Knicks can do and might do at the trade deadline, I think we have to look at Pacome, Dottier and Miles McBride. Let's face it, Dottier, he's essentially an expiring contract. New York is not going to have him on the books next season. So, the only use for him right now is to move him via trade. And with Deuce McBride, you guys know I love Deuce. You know I love having that impact off the bench. But we have to face facts here. He is going to be an unrestricted free agent this off season, especially if the Knicks do not extend him. And at this point in time, it doesn't look like McBride will get that extension. And the only two ways the Knicks know how to operate is either to extend you or trade you without having you walk for free in Free Agency. They made that mistake with Mitchell Robinson. Do you think they are going to make the same mistake with Miles McBride? I don't think so. And if you are looking at the last few games, aren't they featuring Miles McBride, showing him more when he is out there on the floor, and McBride to his credit, he is doing a very good job on defense, and he is hitting a number of threes. So, if anything, he is increasing his trade value right before our eyes. If the Knicks are going to make a trade, it's likely they are going to move Pacome Dottie and Miles McBride. The main reason for that is because both of those combined contracts can get you a better player than if you just trade Miles McBride himself. Because around $3 million, whatever that contract amount he is making right now, it's not enough for a player New York is looking for, a player that they actually want to add to the team. Remember, in the off season, they were looking for one specific player, a center that was young and up and coming, that could grow with the team, develop with this team. And as of right now, I don't think any of those centers are going to be available at the deadline. Even if they are, would McBride, Dottier and Second Round Picks be enough for them? I'm still not sure about that, but that's the most likely trade that will happen at the deadline. And, like I just mentioned, it's likely New York will look for a center. All due respect to Andre Drummond and James Wiseman. We see the drop off when Carl Anthony Towns is out of the game. But I'll give credit where credit is due. Drummond, his defense gets better and better each and every game. Sometimes there are lapses, obviously on a back to back, he really can't play, and his rebounding has been phenomenal. With James Wiseman, we know he's fast, we know he's athletic, but we really haven't seen him enough to really give a determination on what he can do for New York, at least at this point in time. But what we do know is, during this past off season, the only player the Knicks were looking for, and this was even after signing Andre Drummond, they were looking for a young...