Although the Knicks are reportedly considering a cost-cutting trade in order to keep two of Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews, Ian Begley of SNY.tv doesn’t expect a move to occur before training camp (Twitter link via Knicks Videos).
Begley also doesn’t think Miles McBride will be the player traded if New York does make a deal. The backup guard will earn $4.33MM in 2025/26, followed by $3.96MM in ’26/27.
“I’d be surprised if the Knicks made a move like that ahead of training camp,” Begley said. “I’d assume that they let things play out in training camp/preseason before making decisions on final roster spots. It’s also worth pointing out that they have always held McBride in high regard and haven’t been receptive to any past trades involving the now 25-year-old.”
The Knicks have agreed to sign Brogdon, Shamet and Mathews to non-guaranteed contracts but currently only have enough cap flexibility below the second tax apron to keep one of the three on their regular season roster. That player would fill their 13th standard roster spot, while the 14th needs to be a rookie whose draft rights are controlled by New York.
According to Begley, the tentative plan entering camp is for the Knicks to sign Mohamed Diawara to that 14th spot. The 20-year-old, who played for the Knicks in Summer League and spent last season with Cholet Basket in France’s top basketball league, was selected No. 51 overall in the 2025 draft.
Jake Fischer reported yesterday for The Stein Line that New York considered signing free agent center Thomas Bryant before deciding to prioritize backcourt and wing depth. According to Begley’s sources, Bryant “really impressed” the Knicks during recent open gym workouts in New York.
I don’t know much, but I do know this. If you’re the Knicks, you have to trade Mitch Robinson right now.
He’s going to get hurt, he’s going to let you down and probably not play many games. But he’s a good player so trade him now while you can get something decent back. Thoughts?
As long as he’s healthy for the playoffs, his defense and offensive rebounding are instrumental to their success. Unless IH is coming back, MR isn’t going anywhere.
@Gary – Disagree, on the trade part. Yes, he’s going to get hurt, it happens every few months, sometimes serious, sometimes not. Nevertheless, IMO the essential prerequisite for at least a fair trade (that the guy being traded is more valuable to the acquiring team than the team trading him) is not met. Mitch’s value (to both teams) encompasses his expiring deal and his injury history.
If you can identify a team that would value Mitch more than the NYK do, then I’d rethink my position.
Na keep him and see how the team does. Trade him at the dead line. But you have to bring back another center for him. Honestly I think heart gets traded in 2 years also. But yes it is looking like Mitch will get traded. You will need a strong rebounder and defender
With all the guards, I’d argue we could trade McBride. The Heat need guards and it doesn’t look like playing Ware next to Bam maximizes either of their talents. Maybe McBride and Kolek gets it done? Plus some of our meager draft equity?
Brunson/Brogdon
Bridges/Shamet/Clarkson
Anunoby/Hart/Dadiet
Towns/Yabusele/Diawara
Robinson/Ware/Hukporti
Swapping Kolek and McBride for Ware and then keeping Shamet and Brogdon leaves us $60k short of being able to sign Diawara. We could get around that by starting Diawara on a two way, playing the first few games with only 13 standard contracts, then promoting him, similar to how we started last year with Hukporti and (I think) Matt Ryan.
Trade for Danny Wolf
Trade McBride in a salary dump in order to keep a player that isn’t even good enough to have warranted a guaranteed veteran minimum contract-? That alone would make it idiocy. Let alone that McBride wears multiple hats for the NYK under one of the most team friendly contracts in the league. When even Begley realizes something doesn’t make sense, that should be the end of it.