So here we are again—trade deadline season.
The NBA trade deadline is a week away, and the New York Knicks find themselves tangled in the usual speculation, rumors, and endless “league sources say” reports.
The New York Knicks, currently 31-16, are one of those teams trapped in the purgatory of “Do we go all-in, or do we hold our cards?”
The story isn’t new. Mitchell Robinson is injured. Again.
He hasn’t played all season after ankle surgery following the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
At this point, his yearly injury saga is almost a Knicks tradition. The optimism is still there—”He could be back in February!”—but how many times have we heard that before?
Even if he does return, how long will he last? The man is one bad landing away from another extended stint in street clothes.
And that’s exactly why the Knicks are sniffing around the trade market.
- New York has reportedly shown interest in Raptors forward Chris Boucher, who is averaging 10.7 points and 4.4 rebounds this season.
- Robinson’s injury history is a concern, and trade discussions suggest the Knicks may be looking for a more durable frontcourt option.
- Jonas Valanciunas and Guerschon Yabusele are two potential trade targets that could strengthen the Knicks’ bench and provide depth.
So, The Knicks Want Chris Boucher?
This time, the name floating around Knicks trade rumors is Chris Boucher, a 32-year-old forward currently stuck on a 14-32 Toronto Raptors team already halfway out the door this season.
Boucher is averaging 10.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 50.5% from the field and 37% from three.
He’s in the final year of a three-year, $35.25 million deal, earning $10.8 million this season before hitting free agency.
On paper, he makes sense for a Knicks team in desperate need of frontcourt depth.
But let’s be honest—this isn’t the kind of move that shakes the league.
New York isn’t blowing up their roster for Boucher, and he’s not the missing piece to a championship puzzle.
Nevertheless, he’s a solid rotational player, a veteran big who can stretch the floor a bit.
The issue is how the Knicks get him because, thanks to their financial situation, any trade has to be structured carefully.
The Knicks are over the first tax apron; they can’t take in more salary than they send out.
And that complicates things, so the easiest way to make a deal work would be to trade Mitchell Robinson.
Mitchell Robinson’s Unfinished Story
If we’re being honest, Mitchell Robinson is the biggest question in this conversation.
When healthy, he’s one of the best defensive centers in the league, a rebounding machine who can alter shots, control the paint, and give the Knicks an edge on the glass.
But the problem is he gets injured like clockwork.
He had ankle surgery after the 2024 playoffs, hasn’t played a single game this season, and even though reports suggest he might return by early to mid-February, we all know better than to bet on that timeline.
Last season, he averaged 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. But he only played in 31 games.
That’s not ideal for a Knicks team that is 31-16 and trying to stay competitive in a ruthless Eastern Conference.
The Knicks rank 15th in defensive rating at 113.0, which means they’re league average at best on that end.
A healthy Robinson could change that, but “healthy Robinson” is a phrase that feels more like wishful thinking at this point.
So now, the Knicks have to decide.
Do they stick with Robinson, hoping he miraculously stays on the court when they need him most?
Or do they finally cut their losses and move him for someone who can actually play games consistently?
The Trade Proposals That Might—Or Might Not—Fix Anything
If the Knicks are serious about moving Robinson, the Chris Boucher talk is only part of the equation.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, two realistic trade options could bring frontcourt reinforcements to New York.
One of the proposed deals involves Robinson being sent to the Washington Wizards for Jonas Valanciunas, a legitimate veteran center who knows how to stay on the floor.
Valanciunas is averaging 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for a struggling Wizards team.
He’s a steady interior presence; he won’t get injured every other week, and unlike Robinson, he doesn’t disappear for months at a time.
In this proposed deal, the Knicks would send Washington Robinson and their “less favorable” second-round picks in 2026 and 2028.
Marks explains it simply: Washington gets two future picks and a player, and they might flip again in the offseason.
The Knicks, meanwhile, get someone they can trust to actually play basketball games.
The second trade is weirder, which makes it even more Knicks-like.
It involves the Philadelphia 76ers and would bring Guerschon Yabusele to New York.
If that name sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because Yabusele was a first-round pick who flamed out of the NBA five years ago.
Since then, he’s rebuilt his value overseas, played a key role on France’s 2024 Olympic team, and has managed to score 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game this season while shooting 39% from three.
In this scenario, the Knicks would send the Sixers Jericho Sims, a 2025 first-round pick from either Boston or Memphis, and a 2028 second-rounder.
It makes sense; Yabusele adds frontcourt depth and floor spacing, something the Knicks desperately need.
But let’s not act like this is some grand solution.
The guy was literally out of the league for half a decade, and New York would be giving up a future first-rounder for him.
So, What Now?
The Knicks are not making any drastic changes before the deadline. They’re in win-now mode, but they also can’t afford to make a bad trade just for the sake of doing something.
They’re in win-now mode but also can’t afford to overpay for a small upgrade.
The Chris Boucher rumors are interesting, but he’s not a game-changer.
Trading Mitchell Robinson makes sense, but only if they get the right piece in return.
Jonas Valanciunas would give them a proven, durable center, but at what cost?
Yabusele might be an underrated gamble, but would the Knicks give up a first-round pick for a guy who spent half a decade out of the league?
Leon Rose and the Knicks front office have to figure out the perfect balance—making a move that actually helps the team without overpaying for mediocrity.
And for the fans panicking over every new report, take a deep breath.
Expressing interest in a player doesn’t mean a deal is imminent.
The Knicks are exploring their options, but whether they make a move or not depends on what’s available.
The February 6 trade deadline is approaching fast.
What the Knicks do next will tell us everything about their confidence in this team’s ability to make a serious playoff run.
Until then, expect more rumors, speculation, and overreactions.
Because that’s just how the NBA works.
