Nothing is simple with the Knicks right now. They’ve had a busy season full of trades, stars, injuries, and big moments. But now, they’re at a point where every decision feels hard. They’re trying to win and build a good team—but that team is far from perfect, and fixing it won’t be easy.
This summer, the Knicks may trade key players, move on from young talent, and face the consequences of deals that didn’t work out. It’s all tangled together, and nothing is certain.
- The Knicks may consider trading OG Anunoby to free up salary and add more offense, with Cam Johnson seen as a cheaper, better scoring fit.
- Promising rookies Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadiet could be traded after one season if the Knicks go all-in for win-now pieces.
- The missed opportunity with Jalen Brunson and the fallout from the Quentin Grimes trade continue to affect the team’s roster and front-office strategy.
OG Anunoby Might Be Too Expensive to Keep
OG Anunoby is a strong defender and helps the team win. But he’s set to make nearly $40 million next season, with three more years adding up to $136.3 million. The Knicks may consider that too costly, especially if it limits their ability to build a stronger, deeper team around their stars.
One potential solution is trading Anunoby for Brooklyn Nets wing Cam Johnson. Johnson, a natural scorer with a $20.5 million salary in 2025-26, would give the Knicks more offensive punch at a lower price. His contract also ends in 2027—two years earlier than Anunoby’s—giving the Knicks more flexibility.
The catch is that Johnson doesn’t match Anunoby’s defensive skill. However, the Knicks still have Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, who are solid defenders, meaning they could afford to take a hit on that end in exchange for a better offense.
Due to the large salary gap, the Knicks would likely need to involve a third team to make the trade work. One idea floated includes the Detroit Pistons, who might trade for Anunoby while moving off Tobias Harris’s contract, which ends after next season.
The Nets, in turn, could receive Jaden Ivey, a former No. 5 pick who is still just 23 but recovering from injury. As they rebuild, a player like Ivey could be a good long-term piece for Brooklyn.
A sign-and-trade of Ziaire Williams from Brooklyn to New York could make the numbers work. But Brooklyn may not be convinced, especially since Johnson was highly valued at the last trade deadline and other teams were showing interest. Ivey alone might not be enough to get the deal done.
Still, this is just one of many options the Knicks could explore to reshape their roster and fix past mistakes.
Young Knicks Could Be Traded Before They Even Start
Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadiet haven’t played much for the Knicks this season. They’ve spent time in the G League, developing their game. But now, they could be used in trades.
The Knicks don’t have many draft picks left after getting Mikal Bridges. So, if they want to make another move, they may use Kolek and Dadiet to help make the trade work. Their small contracts make them useful as “fillers,” and they might help the Knicks land a more experienced player—like a backup center or a wing.
The team likes these rookies. But they’re trying to win now. If another team offers a player who can help right away, the Knicks may have to say goodbye to their young prospects.
Quentin Grimes Is Shining — Just Not in New York
As the Knicks move forward, they can’t ignore the impact of past trades—especially the one that sent Quentin Grimes away.
The Knicks traded Quentin Grimes on February 8, 2024, along with some other assets and two second-round picks. They got Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. At the time, it didn’t seem like a big deal. Grimes wasn’t playing well, and the Knicks were missing key players.
But now, Grimes is having a breakout season in Philadelphia. With the 76ers, he’s putting up All-Star-level numbers: 22.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 33.4 minutes per game over 20 games. He’s shooting efficiently (61.7% true shooting) and showing growth as a shot-creator and defender.
Even though the Knicks needed depth when they made the trade—especially with injuries to Randle and Anunoby—giving up on Grimes too soon may haunt them for years.
Adding insult to injury, Dallas then traded Grimes to Philadelphia for Caleb Martin—an older, injured wing who’s only played five games for the Mavs. That move was overshadowed by Dallas’s other missteps, including the loss of Jalen Brunson.
Jalen Brunson: Dallas Let Him Go, and the Knicks Got a Star
This one still stings—especially for the Mavericks.
Jalen Brunson played well in Dallas. He stepped up during the playoffs when Luka Dončić was hurt. Everyone thought the Mavs would re-sign him. Mark Cuban even said they would. But they didn’t act.
Brunson’s father, Rick (a former player and now a Knicks assistant), said Jalen was ready to sign a four-year deal for $55.5 million. Dallas waited too long and didn’t make an offer. That opened the door for the Knicks.
Leon Rose, the Knicks president and Jalen’s godfather made space for a deal. The Knicks cleared money by trading Kemba Walker, Alec Burks, and Nerlens Noel. They gave Brunson a four-year, $104 million contract. Dallas didn’t even get a meeting. Cuban later said he would’ve paid it, but it was too late by then.
Now, Brunson is the Knicks’ leader. He’s a star, a fan favorite, and a big reason the team is winning. And the Mavericks are left wondering what happened.
The Knicks Need to Be Careful — One Wrong Move Could Hurt
The Knicks are in a better place than they’ve been in years. They have talent, they’ve made the playoffs, and their fans finally believe in something again. But that doesn’t mean everything is fine.
OG Anunoby’s contract is a problem. The Quentin Grimes trade backfired. Their rookies might never play a real game in New York. And they got lucky when Dallas let Jalen Brunson slip away.
Now, they have to keep building—without messing it up. Every choice they make this summer matters. Because if they’re not careful, they could go from rising fast to falling just as hard.
