The NBA Draft is less than a week away. Free agency continues. Rumors about trades are beginning, and not just among league management.
It’s time for readers to drive transactions.
I asked everyone to submit their best New York Knicks-related business ideas. Now, let’s review them, analyze why they do or don’t make sense, and, with a nod to Bill Simmons, ask the famous question: Who says no?
Hawks receive: Bojan Bogdanović, 25th pick, 38th pick, Detroit 2025 first-round pick
Knicks receive: Bogdan Bogdanović
(Submitted by Roshan P.)
Who says no? Falcons.
It’s the scenario dreamed of by every chaotic basketball fan: which Bogdanović is which?
There would be logic in this trade, beyond the surnames. The Knicks are fielding calls on their Bogdanović, whose $19 million salary for 2024-25 could help them land another useful player. And the Hawks’ Bogdanović fills a need in New York.
Just as they did before the February trade deadline, the Knicks will be in the market for someone who can manage their second unit. The offense collapsed last season when Jalen Brunson was on the bench. They don’t want to experience the same problems again.
Atlanta’s Bogdanović was an astute sixth man of the year candidate last season. He shoots threes, he creates off the dribble and, although he is not a defensive-minded player, he could run alongside Miles McBride with the reserves since he can defend the wings. But I think it would take more than this offer to lure him away from the Hawks.
Bogdan is not only productive; He also has a friendlier contract than Bojan, earning $17.2 million in 2024-25. His salary decreases for each of the next two seasons and he ends up with a $16 million team option.
That’s the kind of deal the Knicks, who love a declining contract, would target. But I’m not sure the 25th pick and a second round in what is considered a disappointing draft are enough to get one. The Knicks may need to include a better first rounder.
If a trade like this were to fall through, the Hawks could build it smartly. They have a $23 million trade exception that will expire on July 7. They could include incoming Bogdanović on the trade exception to create a new one worth $19 million. But as much as the world is thirsty for two unrelated, eponymous trading venues, it may take one more clue than the one presented above to make it happen.
Nets receive: Bojan Bogdanović, 2025 Knicks first-round pick (unprotected), 2027 Knicks first-round pick (unprotected), 2029 Knicks first-round pick (unprotected), pick Knicks’ 2031 first-round pick (unprotected)
Knicks receive: Mikal Bridges
(Submitted by Thomas S.)
Who says no? Networks.
I doubt this is the offer that will convince the Nets to move Bridges.
I’ve written about their unwillingness to trade him in the past, and then there are the stories of the Nets and Knicks refusing to make deals together. But let’s use this offer as a catalyst to solve a rarely discussed “problem” the Knicks have created: Their first-round picks aren’t what they used to be.
The Knicks have been confident in their ability to trade for a top player, whether it’s Bridges or someone else, because of all the first-round picks they can include in a deal. And in the past, an unprotected first-rounder from the Knicks was like gold. Anyone would want one. But this is a new world, where competition and optimism rule Madison Square Garden.
There’s a reason the “problem” was in quotes above. This is a first world problem, occurring only in well-run organizations.
People around the league don’t value the Knicks’ future first-rounders like they did even a couple of years ago. Other executives are too confident in the Knicks’ future to bet on their failure. That 2025 first-rounder may be unprotected in this hypothetical deal for Bridges, but he’ll most likely fall in the mid-20s. Even his 2027 first-rounder isn’t all that juicy, considering they’re armed with reasonable contracts, a core that will likely be will remain, other tools to improve on the margins and a board that has earned the respect of the rest of the NBA. .
These first-rounders are not considered in the same way as those they could have traded for, say, Donovan Mitchell a couple of years ago.
These are the hard problems that come with becoming a successful franchise.
Jazz receives: Julius Randle, three first-round picks
Knicks receive: Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson
(Submitted by Nick L.)
Who says no? Both.
It’s not easy to decide who wins this trade without knowing the details of the first-round picks. If they are three unprotected in 2027, 29 and 31, which they might have to be to get the Jazz’s attention, then this is the Knicks’ big move for a star. And while Markkanen is a deserving All-Star and excels as a cutter and shooter, an ideal combination alongside Brunson, the Knicks may have their sights set beyond Markkanen, especially if it means parting ways with a two-time All-Star. NBA player in Randle.
On top of that, I’m guessing the Jazz are more likely to use their cap space to renegotiate and extend Markkanen, who is entering the final season of his contract, than to trade him.
Knicks receive: Cason Wallace
Thunder Reception: Mitchell Robinson
(Submitted by Frosty 2.)
Who says no? Thunder.
I like the idea here: the Thunder just acquired Alex Caruso, another guard who could displace parts of what Wallace does. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City has a rebounding problem, which Robinson would fix.
But I don’t see the Thunder trading a second-year player who was more than an efficient shooter as a rookie. Wallace was one of the most malleable young players in the NBA last season. OKC used him as a blocker, spacer and cutter. He knows how to defend and, given his current inexperience, it is likely that he will improve even more. He has a rookie-scale contract for another three seasons and then could have another four or five years of team control after that.
The Thunder are looking to lengthen their championship window, not necessarily sacrifice long-term success for short-term solutions. Unlike Wallace, Robinson is under contract for only two more seasons.
That’s not the only reason I don’t see Robinson as a suitable fit for OKC, which could be in the market for the Knicks’ other center, Isaiah Hartenstein, an unrestricted free agent this summer.
There’s a reason Oklahoma City reportedly likes Hartenstein. His offense is not limited to just shooting; It also relies on quick decision-making, the type of basketball at which Hartenstein excels.
To play for head coach Mark Daigneault, a player needs to know when to block, cut, pass and shoot. That is the strength of Hartenstein. But Robinson doesn’t have the ball or passing skills to shine in that environment.
The Thunder will try to improve their weaknesses in rebounding and rim protection, and they have the cap space to do so, but they won’t want to compromise their identity in the process.
Kings receive: Mitchell Robinson
Knicks receive: Harrison Barnes
(Submitted by anonymous.)
Who says no? Kings.
We’re getting loaded with Robinson trades, which are a possibility, although I’ll add: I wouldn’t expect the Knicks to trade their backup center until they know for sure Hartenstein will be back. And even then, they were able to retain Robinson, who was in the midst of his best season before injuring his ankle in December.
If they were to trade him, this is the type of package they could target: a veteran wing on a reasonable contract. Barnes could back up Randle and (presumably) future free agent OG Anunoby, play 20-25 minutes and drain corner threes.
I don’t see why the Kings would do it, though. Barnes is a starter and a popular teammate on a reasonable contract (two years, $37 million remaining) on a team with playoff aspirations. If Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner had trouble fitting in with the Indiana Pacers, I don’t see Sabonis and Robinson working, considering Turner could at least stretch out to the perimeter and Robinson occupies the middle of the court, fighting for offensive rebounds or waiting for lobs. .
If that’s the case, would Sacramento trade a starting forward for a backup center?
Hawks receive: second-round pick
Knicks receive: AJ Griffin
(Submitted by Matt.)
Who says no? Knicks.
This is the content that gives life to us all.
Could Donovan Mitchell return to the market? Please.
Sharks circling Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee? Get out of here.
Give me a Griffin trade that would require one of the most satisfying trade exception uses in recent NBA history or you won’t give me anything.
After the extreme struggles Griffin experienced during his second NBA season, I could see Atlanta trading him for a modest price like this. On top of that, the Hawks, who need to make bigger moves than this, are fighting the luxury tax as it’s currently in place and might prefer to get rid of Griffin’s $3.9 million salary.
But the real beauty of this deal would be in the way both teams were able to build it.
The Knicks created a $3.9 million trade exception during their trade with the Detroit Pistons last February. Griffin would slide into him like a baby in a onesie.
But if anyone says no to this, I think it’s New York. The Knicks are pushing against the first apron and may not want to criticize a non-rotation player making above the minimum.
(Photo of Bogdan Bogdanović and Bojan Bogdanović: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via /Keynote USA/Getty Images)
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