It’s officially trade season in the NBA, and if you’re a Knicks fan, you’ve probably heard every possible name floated by now. But when it comes to New York, the trade conversation isn’t just about who they could get - it’s about who they can get, and more importantly, who would actually fit into the rotation. That’s where things get tricky.
The Knicks are brushing up against the second tax apron, which severely limits their flexibility. And even if they manage to find a way to make a deal work financially, there’s still the question of minutes. You can’t just bring in talent for talent’s sake - there has to be a place in the rotation for that player to contribute.
Take Jose Alvarado, for example. His name keeps popping up in rumors connected to the Knicks.
On paper, sure, it might be possible to squeeze him in under the cap. But where are the minutes coming from?
Jalen Brunson isn’t coming off the floor - he’s the engine of this team. Josh Hart has become a glue guy who Tom Thibodeau trusts in high-leverage spots.
Mikal Bridges, while a newer addition, is still a key two-way piece. So unless someone is moving out, there just isn’t room.
Which brings us to Miles McBride.
McBride has become something of a fan favorite. His defensive effort is relentless, his shot has a beautiful arc, and he’s on a highly team-friendly deal.
It’s not hard to see why fans - and even opposing arenas - show him love. But as much as the Knicks value him, he might be the odd man out if they want to make a meaningful move.
The challenge with McBride is twofold. First, he’s undersized, and pairing him with Brunson in the backcourt creates defensive mismatches. Second, he’s not a true point guard, which limits his ability to spell Brunson in a way that keeps the offense humming.
And that’s where Tyler Kolek enters the conversation.
Now, let’s be clear: McBride is ahead of Kolek in the rotation. But when McBride missed time due to injury, Kolek stepped in - and didn’t just hold his own, he thrived.
In games where Kolek logged 20+ minutes, the Knicks went 4-2, with both losses coming on the road against Western Conference opponents. Zoom out a bit, and in the 30 games where Kolek played the most minutes, the Knicks posted an 18-12 record.
Compare that to a 17-13 mark in the 30 games where McBride played the most, and it’s at least worth asking the question: should Kolek be getting more run?
To be fair, McBride’s 1-5 record in games where he played the most minutes is skewed - three of those were without Brunson. But the broader takeaway is this: there’s not a huge drop-off when Kolek is in the game, and in some cases, he may even bring more to the table as a traditional point guard.
He’s also undersized, but he plays with grit and isn’t a defensive liability. So if the Knicks are looking to make a move and Kolek can hold the fort, McBride becomes a logical trade chip.
Here’s the catch: McBride’s contract, while team-friendly, doesn’t help much in trade math. He’d likely need to be packaged with a higher-salary player to make a deal work under the cap rules. That’s where things get interesting.
Let’s look at a hypothetical trade that works financially - whether it works on the court is another matter. The proposed deal: the Knicks send McBride, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Guerschon Yabusele to the Lakers in exchange for Deandre Ayton and LeBron James.
Now, let’s break this down from the Knicks’ perspective.
First, they get out from under Towns’ massive contract, which runs through 2026-27 with a player option for 2027-28. That’s a lot of money tied up in a player who, while talented, hasn’t consistently delivered in big moments.
In return, they get Ayton, a 7-footer on a more manageable deal that also runs through 2026-27. Ayton gives them a solid complement to Mitchell Robinson, and more importantly, he provides insurance if Robinson departs in free agency.
You could easily split center minutes between the two, with Ayton taking on a bigger load when Robinson rests or sits out back-to-backs.
Then there’s LeBron.
Yes, he’s nearing the end of his career, and yes, he’s an unrestricted free agent after this season. But if the Knicks are serious about making a deep playoff run this year, adding James gives them another elite playmaker - someone who can take pressure off Brunson and provide a steady offensive presence.
He wouldn’t need to carry the load like he did in Cleveland or L.A. He’d slot into the starting lineup, likely replacing Hart, and the Knicks could lean on OG Anunoby and Bridges to handle the tougher defensive assignments.
It’s a rotation that could work - and one that would be a nightmare for opposing teams to match up against.
Is this a deal the Lakers would seriously consider? That’s anyone’s guess.
But the point isn’t necessarily about this trade. It’s about the type of trade the Knicks should be pursuing.
Leon Rose and the front office shouldn’t be looking to make marginal upgrades. There’s no point in adding a player like Alvarado if there’s no clear role for him.
Instead, the focus should be on making a move that improves the roster and creates a path for the new pieces to contribute right away. That might mean parting with a fan favorite like McBride.
It might mean taking a big swing that involves a star like Towns or even chasing a legend like LeBron.
But if the Knicks want to go from “tough out” to “true contender,” it’s time to think bigger. Not just in names, but in fit, impact, and playoff upside.