The New York Knicks are clearly not satisfied with standing still. As the offseason approaches, the front office is mapping out multiple trade options, and each one shows a calculated, if slightly risky, effort to fix long-standing roster flaws.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, the Knicks could send center Mitchell Robinson and two second-round picks to Charlotte in exchange for young center Mark Williams. This proposal is based on fit, value, and availability.
Mitchell Robinson is a defensive anchor when healthy. That’s the key phrase—when healthy. He has not reached 42 games in three of the last four seasons, and that kind of unreliability makes it hard to build a consistent interior defense, especially in the playoffs. On paper, he’s a rim protector, a lob threat, and a force in the paint. But in reality, he’s a ticking clock, and the Knicks seem to know it.
- The Knicks may trade Mitchell Robinson and two second-round picks to the Hornets for Mark Williams.
- Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson and Utah’s Walker Kessler are among other players tied to New York’s future trade talks.
- NBA offseason moves are expected to be active due to limited free agents and tight cap space.
Charlotte’s Perspective: A Gamble Worth Taking?
Mark Williams, on the other hand, is younger, cheaper, and frankly more available—41 games this season already, despite his own injury struggles. He’s still on a rookie contract and brings a similar skill set: rim-running, shot-blocking, and vertical spacing, which is valuable in Tom Thibodeau’s system. There’s no guarantee he’ll be a huge upgrade over Robinson today, but over the next two years, there’s real potential, and the deal gives the Knicks some breathing room on the cap sheet.
For Charlotte, taking Robinson feels like a gamble that might pay off if he stays healthy. The Hornets were reportedly ready to send Williams to the Lakers before a failed physical blocked the deal. Adding Robinson plus two second-round picks gives them a veteran big with proven skills and some draft flexibility. If they’re rebuilding, it’s a reasonable “buy low” move.
Cam Johnson to the Knicks? High Risk, High Reward
Then there’s the Knicks’ reported interest in Brooklyn forward Cam Johnson. He’s quietly putting up a strong season—a career-high 18.8 points per game and 39.2 percent from three-point range. His size, shooting, and defensive flexibility make him a modern NBA wing, the type that fits beautifully next to Jalen Brunson and possibly Karl-Anthony Towns if the Knicks continue pursuing size up front.
The suggested trade would send Josh Hart and a 2031 first-round pick to the Nets in exchange for Johnson. From a talent perspective, Johnson is clearly more skilled on offense. He spaces the floor better, shoots with more range, and can guard multiple positions. He’s also under contract for two more years at just over $43 million total—reasonable in today’s market for a high-level role player.
But here’s where things get complicated. Josh Hart is the heartbeat of this Knicks team. He doesn’t light up the box score, but his rebounding, hustle, and chemistry with Brunson are hard to measure. The Knicks have won big games this year because of him. And while swapping Hart for Johnson may improve shooting, it risks weakening the team’s identity.
Plus, Hart thrives in a system like the one New York runs, where he plays alongside other creators. That same setup doesn’t exist in Brooklyn. So if the Nets make this trade, they might get a good player but not the best version of him.
It’s a classic question: Do you go for the flashier scorer or keep the guy who quietly does everything right? The Knicks need to be sure about their answer.
Walker Kessler Deal That Almost Happened—and Might Still
Earlier this year, the Knicks came close to another trade. At the trade deadline, the Knicks were close to getting Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the deal broke down over price. Utah wanted more, and the Knicks weren’t willing to meet the demand.
That might have been a mistake. Kessler is one of the best young shot-blockers in the league. He’s putting up 11.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. He’s tough, consistent, and still developing. And he’s the type of player who would thrive under Tom Thibodeau’s defense-first system.
Now, Robinson is back in the lineup, but it’s hard to say how long he’ll stay there. The Knicks are right to keep their eyes on Kessler. If Utah changes its stance this summer, New York should make the call again and, this time, seal the deal.
