Knicks Face Crucial Decision on Guerschon Yabusele as Trade Deadline Looms
With the February 5 trade deadline creeping closer, the Knicks may soon have to make a call on Guerschon Yabusele - and unless something changes fast, that decision could mean moving on.
Yabusele was the Knicks’ marquee free agent pickup this past offseason, signing a two-year, $11.25 million deal via the taxpayer mid-level exception. But that move came before the team brought in new head coach Mike Brown, whose up-tempo offensive system hasn’t exactly meshed with Yabusele’s game. The fit has been clunky, and the forward has struggled to carve out a consistent role in the rotation.
Starting Monday, Yabusele becomes eligible to be traded, and while he’s unlikely to be viewed as a high-value asset on his own, his salary could play a key role in facilitating a larger deal. The Knicks have been keeping an eye on the backup point guard market, and one name that’s surfaced is Jose Alvarado - a gritty, defensive-minded guard who could give New York some much-needed depth behind Jalen Brunson.
Alvarado, a New York native, is on a $4.5 million deal this season with a player option for 2026-27. If the Pelicans decide to shop him, he won’t be short on suitors - and the Knicks would definitely be in the mix.
OG Anunoby’s Impact? Undeniable.
Since returning from a hamstring strain, OG Anunoby has wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s such a vital piece for the Knicks. The team is 3-0 since he rejoined the lineup, and the numbers are telling: New York is 76-36 (.679) in regular-season games with Anunoby on the floor since acquiring him during the 2023-24 season.
Without him? Just 25-20 (.556).
His fingerprints were all over Tuesday’s win in Toronto, where he helped spark a second-quarter surge that flipped the momentum. “OG, he was all over the place,” said Josh Hart afterward.
“He really helped start that run and then we were able to get stops, play fast, get out in transition and play to our strength. Huge shoutout to him - really changed the tide of the game.”
Anunoby’s ability to defend multiple positions, hit timely shots, and bring a steadying presence on both ends has been a difference-maker. When he's healthy, the Knicks look like a different team - one that can hang with just about anyone in the East.
Jalen Brunson’s MVP Push Gets Backing from Coach Mike Brown
Mike Brown isn’t shy about where he stands on Jalen Brunson’s place in Knicks lore - or the MVP race.
“He’s been here long enough,” Brown said Thursday. “He’s helped them win a lot of games.
Obviously, he did start in Dallas, but he was a little younger. It wasn’t his team.
He wasn’t really the guy. He came here, it’s his team, he’s the guy here, he’s an MVP candidate, like I said, and so what he’s doing is definitely franchise-altering.”
Brunson’s growth into a bona fide star has been one of the biggest storylines in New York basketball over the past two seasons. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s leading, closing games, and elevating the Knicks into serious playoff contention. Brown’s endorsement isn’t just coach-speak; it reflects what Brunson has become: the engine of this team.
Knicks and Magic Set for Fourth Clash - and Maybe a Playoff Preview
Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal will mark the fourth meeting between the Knicks and Magic this season - and while it’s not quite a rivalry yet, it’s starting to feel like something’s brewing.
Orlando took the first two matchups before the Knicks bounced back with a win last Sunday. With both teams jockeying for position in a competitive Eastern Conference, Saturday’s game could offer a glimpse of what a potential playoff series might look like.
“I don’t feel it’s on the rivalry level yet,” Brown said after Thursday’s practice. “It can be in due time, but I don’t think it’s there yet.”
Still, there’s no denying the intensity. These are two young, hungry squads looking to prove they belong in the postseason conversation - and Saturday’s showdown could carry more weight than your typical mid-December game.
What’s Next for New York?
The Knicks have some decisions to make - both short- and long-term. Yabusele’s future is clearly up in the air, and the front office will be active in exploring ways to bolster the roster. But with Anunoby back, Brunson playing at an MVP level, and the team showing real signs of cohesion under Mike Brown, there’s plenty to be optimistic about in the Garden.
The pieces are starting to come together. Now it’s about making the right moves to take that next step.