Knicks Face Steep Climb in Trade Market, But Options Remain
If the New York Knicks are going to make a splash at the trade deadline, they’ll have to get creative-and aggressive. The front office is operating with limited draft capital, tight financial constraints, and a roster that’s already bumping up against the league’s second apron.
Translation? Any blockbuster move-especially one involving a superstar like Karl-Anthony Towns-is going to require some serious maneuvering.
Draft Picks: Limited Ammo
Let’s start with the draft assets, or rather, the lack thereof. The Knicks’ only non-swap first-rounder is a 2026 pick from the Wizards that’s top-eight protected.
Odds are, that selection won’t even convey this June, meaning it stays with Washington. If that happens, New York is left holding a pair of second-rounders from the Wizards in 2026 and 2027.
Beyond that, the Knicks do hold first-round swap rights in 2026, 2030, and 2032-but swaps don’t carry the same weight in trade talks unless your pick is clearly better than the other team’s.
So if the Knicks want to enter the conversation for a high-profile player, they’ll likely need to lead with proven talent rather than future picks.
Cap Crunch: Apron Pressure
Financially, the Knicks are walking a tightrope. They're just $148,358 below the second apron, which is effectively a hard cap.
That matters because it limits their flexibility in trades-they can’t take back more salary than they send out. For a team looking to add a max-level player, that’s a major hurdle.
Because of these restrictions, a straight-up swap for someone like Karl-Anthony Towns would be the cleanest path. But if the Knicks want to go a different route, they’d need to package salaries to match.
That could mean a combination of OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges. It's worth noting that Bridges can’t be traded until February 1 due to signing restrictions, so any deal involving him would have to wait.
Who’s on the Books?
The Knicks’ roster is a mix of long-term commitments and short-term flexibility. Jalen Brunson, the team’s cornerstone, is off the board and under contract through 2028 with a player option.
OG Anunoby is locked in through 2028 as well, with a trade bonus attached. Josh Hart is signed through 2027 with a team option, and Deuce McBride becomes an unrestricted free agent that same summer.
Then there’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s owed $53.1 million and holds a player option for 2027. If the Knicks were to pursue a deal for Towns, he’d become the highest-paid player on the roster by a wide margin.
Mikal Bridges, who’s drawing plenty of attention around the league, is under contract through 2029 with a player option. But again, he’s not trade-eligible until February 1, which limits immediate options.
Free Agents and Rookie Deals
Looking ahead, the Knicks have a handful of players hitting free agency in 2026. Mitchell Robinson, Guerschon Yabusele, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson will all be unrestricted, while Mohamed Diawara and Ariel Hukporti will be restricted free agents.
On the rookie scale, Pacome Dadiet is on the books through 2028, giving the Knicks a young piece to develop or potentially include in future trade packages.
The Bottom Line
The Knicks are in a tough spot-limited picks, tight cap space, and not a ton of wiggle room. But they’re not out of options. With a roster full of tradable contracts and a front office that’s shown a willingness to swing big, don’t count them out just yet.
A deal for a star like Towns won’t be easy. It’ll take a carefully constructed package-likely centered around a trio of solid veterans rather than future picks. But if the Knicks believe they’re one piece away, the pressure to act could outweigh the risks.
One thing’s for sure: the clock is ticking, and the margin for error is razor thin.