NEW YORK – The Knicks sit firmly second in the Eastern Conference. They trail Detroit by three games and lead Boston by two and a half. That positioning hardly matters. They remain the team to beat in the East. Despite their strengths, they still have needs like every team. This trade season, the Knicks must add a big to tie up their only loose end.
Knicks Have A Big Problem This Trade Season
The Knicks erased a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to beat Cleveland on Christmas Day. Their depth powered the turnaround. Leon Rose deserves credit. The Knicks front office has transformed a top-heavy roster into one with surplus weapons. Last season, the bench ranked last in scoring. This season, it has swung games in New York’s favor.
Elite Offense, Lingering Defensive Questions
The Knicks own the league’s third-best offense. They pair it with a middling defense, ranked 14th. That combination produces the league’s fifth-best net rating. They protect the paint at an elite level, ranking fourth. New York struggle to defend the perimeter consistently. They surrender the league’s fifth-most three-pointers. That result surprises many given their perimeter personnel. Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride anchor that group. Pick-and-roll ballhandlers exploit them too often. The Knicks rank in the 51st percentile in those actions. Their point-of-attack defense remains a concern. Opponents consistently target Jalen Brunson.
The Frontcourt Depth Problem
With that context, the Knicks clearly need another big. They can adjust their perimeter defense internally. They lack enough frontcourt bodies. Karl-Anthony Towns frequently gets into foul trouble. He ranks eighth in total fouls drawn this season. He averages 3.5 fouls per game. Mitchell Robinson has played 21 of a possible 30 games and his injury problems are well documented. Ariel Hukporti plays a limited role. Head coach Mike Brown does not trust him yet.
Trade Constraints And Realistic Targets
New York operates near the second apron. The hard cap limits flexibility. The Knicks must add a big on the margins. They cannot disrupt what already works. Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet emerge as clear trade candidates. Yabusele has struggled to find consistency in Brown’s system. Dadiet has yet to flash the potential that earned him the 25th pick. Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe stands out as an intriguing target. He checks every box the Knicks need in a backup center.