The New York Knicks are staring down the final stretch before the trade deadline, and with a roster built to compete now, every move-or non-move-carries serious weight. Sitting right up against the second apron of the NBA’s new salary cap structure, the Knicks are limited in flexibility.
They can’t take on more salary than they send out, which makes any potential deal a tightrope walk. But that hasn’t stopped them from working the phones.
Yabusele, Dadiet, and the $8.3M Puzzle
Two names have emerged as potential trade chips: Guerschon Yabusele and second-year guard Pacome Dadiet. Together, their contracts give New York about $8.3 million in maneuverability-enough to bring in a rotation-level player or two if the fit is right.
The Knicks already have an open roster spot, but if they move two players for one, they’ll need to fill that vacancy to meet league minimums. That’s a logistical wrinkle, but one the front office is prepared to handle if it means upgrading the roster.
Jeremy Sochan: A Fit, But Not a Lock
One name that’s surfaced in conversations with the San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan, the ninth overall pick from the 2022 draft. Sochan brings a unique blend of defensive versatility and offensive slashing-qualities that would mesh well with the Knicks’ physical, grind-it-out style under new head coach Mike Brown.
Sochan’s contract situation makes him even more intriguing. He’s in the final year of his rookie deal and will be a restricted free agent this summer, giving any acquiring team a degree of control.
But while he’s fallen out of San Antonio’s rotation, there’s been internal resistance to moving him. The Spurs still value his upside, and they’ve yet to signal a clear willingness to deal him.
That said, San Antonio is looking for frontcourt help behind Victor Wembanyama. Yabusele, who shares a connection with Wembanyama from their time with the French national team, was once on their radar. But sources say he’s fallen down their list of targets, and talks with New York have cooled as the Spurs explore other options-possibly involving Kelly Olynyk’s expiring $13.4 million contract.
Knicks and Pelicans: Alvarado and Missi on the Radar
The Knicks haven’t limited their efforts to the Spurs. They’ve also been in direct contact with the New Orleans Pelicans, who are fielding interest from teams across the league. While much of the buzz around the Pelicans centers on names like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, New York’s focus has been more specific: Jose Alvarado and Yves Missi.
Alvarado has been on the Knicks’ radar since before the holidays. He’s exactly the kind of player who can help stabilize a second unit-defensive-minded, high energy, and capable of spelling Jalen Brunson without a major drop-off in intensity. New Orleans is reportedly open to moving the 25-year-old guard, and several teams, including the Rockets, Pistons, and Timberwolves, have also expressed interest.
Missi, meanwhile, is one of the more intriguing young bigs in the league. The 21-year-old center made the All-Rookie team last season but has seen his minutes dip in favor of rookie Derik Queen. That’s created some friction between Missi’s camp and the Pelicans, and sources say he’s looking for a bigger role-something the Knicks, who are thin in the frontcourt, could potentially offer.
New York is one of several Eastern Conference teams, including the Toronto Raptors, that have discussed Missi with the Pelicans. Given his upside and manageable contract (he’s in year two of his rookie deal), Missi is widely viewed as one of the more likely names to move before the deadline.
Pelicans Looking to Rebuild Draft Capital
While the Pelicans are listening on multiple fronts, their primary goal appears to be recouping draft capital-specifically a 2026 first-round pick. They dealt their own pick in that draft to move up and select Queen in the 2025 draft, and now they’re looking to rebalance the books.
To that end, New Orleans has also been making calls about potential deals involving Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole. Both are talented, but their contracts and recent play make them harder to move for meaningful assets before the deadline.
Knicks Eyeing Naji Marshall in Dallas
One more name to watch: Naji Marshall of the Dallas Mavericks. Sources say the Knicks are among several teams interested in the 26-year-old wing, who’s become a hot commodity in a market thin on reliable perimeter players. With demand high and supply low, there’s buzz that Dallas could command a first-round pick in return.
Marshall’s appeal is easy to see-he’s a rugged, two-way player who can guard multiple positions and knock down open looks. For a Knicks team that thrives on toughness and defensive flexibility, he’d be a snug fit.
Yabusele’s Role-or Lack Thereof-Looms Large
At the center of all this movement is Yabusele. The 30-year-old forward signed a two-year, $12 million deal with New York this past offseason, including a player option for 2026-27. He was a hot name in free agency after a strong year in Philadelphia, with teams like the Nuggets, Celtics, Sixers, and Spurs all showing interest.
But Yabusele has struggled to find his place in Mike Brown’s rotation. In 39 games, he’s averaging just 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in under 10 minutes per game, shooting 39.2% from the field. That lack of impact has made him expendable-and potentially valuable as a salary-matching piece in a trade.
With less than two weeks to go before the deadline, the Knicks are clearly in go-mode. Whether it’s Alvarado, Missi, Sochan, or Marshall, they’re hunting for pieces that can help them make a real run this spring. And whatever happens with Yabusele’s contract could be the domino that sets everything else in motion.