The New York Knicks aren’t expected to be buyers at the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Mike Brown’s primary rotation appears to be set, with high-level talent at every position. If the Knicks do make a move, it will likely be to shore up the supporting cast.
However, NBA legend Isiah Thomas believes New York’s front office could be best served by taking one more big swing. During a Jan. 8 appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” Thomas discussed the impact Anthony Davis could have on the Knicks.
“If New York pulls a trade for AD, I mean, he swings the balance very similar to when Rasheed Wallace was traded from Atlanta several years ago, and he came to Detroit, and all of a sudden, you know, Detroit takes off,” Thomas said. “I thought Rasheed, wherever he went in the East at that point in time, that team was going to elevate to the championship…In the East, he’s a difference maker.”
A frontcourt pairing of Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns would undoubtedly be a scary prospect for opposing teams. Davis is also at his best when playing alongside a rim-protecting big, so seeing him partner with Mitchell Robinson would also be an interesting proposition.
Why The Knicks Should NOT Trade For Davis
Unfortunately, Davis has been unable to stay healthy in recent years. He’s played a total of 28 games for the Dallas Mavericks since being traded there in February 2024. Furthermore, his $175 million contract, which sees him earning $54.1 million this season, would put significant pressure on the Knicks’ salary cap.
Davis is also past his prime. Injuries have sapped him of his athleticism, and he would need his minutes to be tightly managed in order to keep him on the floor.
For a Knicks team that’s pushing for a championship, the risk of adding Davis would far outweigh the reward.
Knicks Exploring Options With Yabusele
In what would be a more logical move, the Knicks are reportedly seeking a rotational upgrade ahead of the trade deadline. According to Forbes’ NBA Insider, Evan Sidery, the Knicks have now begun shopping Guerschon Yabusele.
“The Knicks are shopping Guerschon Yabusele during trade season for a rotational upgrade,” Sidery reported via X. “After a strong season with the Sixers, Yabusele has been a disappointment in New York. Yabusele’s $5.5 million salary is easily absorbable for teams in need of forward depth.”
Yabsuele joined the Knicks during the offseason. However, he’s struggled to carve out a sizeable role in the rotation. Therefore, he’s become somewhat expendable as the Knicks seek out an upgrade.
New York has lost four of its last five games. Finding ways to improve the second unit will be key to the team’s chances of making the NBA Finals. That’s true for both this season and in the years to come. Yabsuele impressed for the Philadelphia 76ers last season. Opposing front offices may look at that production when evaluating whether it’s worth moving for the veteran forward.
Regardless of how things play out in the coming weeks, it’s highly unlikely we’ll see Davis making the move to New York. Not only is his health a concern, but the package it would take to make the salaries match would not be worthwhile for the Knicks.
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