Within a trade deadline guide for the Knicks, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic mentions Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu as a player New York might be interested in. The Knicks are fans of Dosunmu’s game, but it would “cost a lot” to acquire him, says Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link).
Edwards specifically points to Miles McBride as a player the Knicks might have to give up in a deal for Dosunmu, who earns $7.5MM this season and will be a free agent in the offseason if he doesn’t sign an extension before then. However, Edwards doesn’t view scenario as likely, noting that McBride has been a key contributor for New York and is on a team-friendly contract.
A “few” rival executives Edwards spoke to don’t think Karl-Anthony Towns is off-limits in trade talks, but his value is believed to have declined since the Knicks acquired him. That’s also the case for Mikal Bridges, multiple league sources tell Edwards. Both of those factors seemingly make the Knicks a long shot to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, even though they remain interested in the superstar forward.
If Towns is traded by February 5 in a deal that doesn’t involve Antetokounmpo, Edwards hears the Knicks would likely receive salary-matching pieces. Minor draft compensation may be included as well. While he wouldn’t be surprised if the five-time All-Star is moved in a non-Antetokounmpo deal, Edwards thinks that outcome is unlikely.
Here’s more from Edwards on the Knicks:
- New York continues to shop Guerschon Yabusele, but his contract is viewed negatively and rival teams think the Knicks will have to attach assets to move him unless he’s included in a major multi-team trade, sources tell Edwards. Yabusele is included in Edwards’ “most likely to be traded” tier along with Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson. According to Edwards, Clarkson could be a buyout candidate after the deadline if the two sides decide to part ways — the veteran guard has been out of the rotation lately.
- Edwards’ “could get traded, but I wouldn’t bet on it” tier consists of Towns, McBride and Mitchell Robinson. As Edwards writes, New York’s front office has a history of trading players on expiring contracts, but Robinson has been very valuable when active and it probably doesn’t make sense to move him given his on-court contributions.
- The “won’t get traded unless in an Antetokounmpo-type deal” group features OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Bridges. The only untouchable player on the Knicks’ roster is Jalen Brunson, according to Edwards.
- Edwards also lists three small-scale trades that could make sense for the teams involved. One of Edwards’ fake deals would see New York acquire Jose Alvarado and Karlo Matkovic from New Orleans in exchange for Yabusele, Dadiet and Washington’s 2026 first-round pick, which is top-eight protected and almost certain to be conveyed as two second-round picks. Those two second-rounders hold real value though, and Edwards isn’t sure it would be worth it, but Alvarado has drawn a good deal of interest on market.
Knicks get Ayo and Williams and Jalen Smith and the Bulls take Towns and Mcbride. Who says no? I don’t like Towns or Williams but I like Williams less. Might have to add some pieces to make the NBA happy but there it is. Towns takes over for Smith on the Bulls and Ayo and Smith take over for Towns and McBride then Mcbride and Ayo re sign with their old teams next year. Consider me on board. I like Towns way more than AD.
As a Knicks fan, Towns isn’t that much of a negative that we’d take on Patrick Williams.
Only way to make the money even close. You want Vujevic instead? You need something to make the money work. If you really want Towns to move.
Interesting idea. Any trade that dumps Pat is an intriguing one to me. I’m not a Towns guy though. we need to bottom out to start building something and KAT would likely just keep us in playin purgatory
I’d be more intrigued by Ayo-Pat for Bridges but idk if there’s interest there. Out of everyone on the roster I’m v cool with resigning Ayo
First thing I’d do if I were Bulls management would be to shoot myself in the head before anybody found out I worked there. Second Ayo can only make like 87 million on an extension and that’s with the Bulls so why the Bulls management hasn’t done that yet is another stupid move by them. They could have taken all the Ayo drama away but no, We have to go through this crap. Bulls need Bridges like we need another epidemic. They already have a whole team of guys like him. Not as good but another futile exercise in team building.
😂😂
Yeah I think the best move to improve the team would be to hold reinsdork at gunpoint and force him to sell
Vu Collins and Ayo for Kat works money wise
Id pass tho Chi town, Kats like a boat, best days with him are his first and last days of ownership
Collins is probably done for the year and unsigned. You want him instead? Williams salary isn’t so horrible that the Bulls can’t carry it forward. He just irritates me. Like Kahn said in Star Trek II- He tasks me and I shall have him. Al keeps telling me Williams is misused. Here’s your chance to prove it.
Ayo is Temu Derrick white. Not as good defensively but he can shoot and play multiple positions. If Knicks get him, it would be enormous bc he fits well with their roster.
(Complimenting the Knicks)
DWhite comp is spot on. Bulls should resign him and if u need to u can always trade him in a year or 2. Would probably get more for him once he’s locked down too. If they don’t trade Coby it’s gonna be a massive failure though.
Ben, I agree we should resign him BUT we don’t have a friggin superstar to build around, he’s a complimentary player and a damn good one at that, but if we had a Tatum or a Giannis, it’s a no brainer because superstars need guys like those to contend and win titles. I agree with Coby, he needs to be traded.
This Article:
Both of those factors seemingly make the Knicks a long shot to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo.
This is similar to what I said
Draft capital is absolutely required to get Giannis
Ayo can be really good. Injuries set him back. He is so fast and can drive the lane. One player Bulls shouldn’t trade.
I mean it looks as if the Knicks are trying to arrange something like this …
Bucks: KAT
Knicks: Giannas and Jrue Holiday
Blazers: Bridges
Bucks will want at least 2 if not 3 or 4 first round picks. Blazers I can see giving up 1 to get bridges but then Knicks give up 2 probably.
Knicks then look something like
Brunson Holiday OG Giannas Robinson
With McBride and Hart on the bench
They probably lack shooting but defensively that’s a solid team. Blazers do well to get younger with Bridges. But I feel like the Bucks will want something a little bit more. KAT and Turner is abit clunky. Sure getting back some picks is good but they should try get a couple younger players too.
Unsure if the deal goes through, dont hate it but don’t really love it either
Pretty much what I stated/commented in a previous article yesterday. Bucks would get their picks back from Portland and Portland dumbs the Holiday contract. Defense would be insane but injury risk would skyrocket.
ATO and Miles – I don’t see the gap being big enough to make it worthwhile, especially as pointed out with the team friendly contract. Meh.
Knicks just need to hunker down and focus. I think going into the season they took it for granted they’d make it to the finals based in conference injuries. They came together in the in season tournament and I’m sure it’ll happen again when it matters. Right now for them it’s a formality and process until showtime.