The New York Knicks are sitting in a fascinating position as the trade deadline creeps closer. They’re not a team in disarray, far from it.
But in a wide-open Eastern Conference, where the margins between contenders and pretenders are razor-thin, standing pat could be just as risky as making the wrong move. With February 5 circled on every front office calendar, the Knicks are weighing their options - and it sounds like they’re leaning toward subtle adjustments rather than a blockbuster shake-up.
According to league chatter, Guerschon Yabusele - a recent offseason signing - is likely on the move. The expectation is that he’ll be wearing a different jersey after 3 p.m.
ET on deadline day. One team to keep an eye on?
The San Antonio Spurs. There’s a natural connection there: Yabusele and Victor Wembanyama played together on the French National Team, and that familiarity could be a factor if the Spurs decide to bring in another big body with international experience.
Yabusele’s potential fit in San Antonio makes sense, especially with Jeremy Sochan’s name continuing to swirl in trade rumors. If the Spurs are looking to rework their frontcourt rotation around Wembanyama, adding a player like Yabusele - who brings strength, mobility, and some chemistry with the franchise cornerstone - could be a low-risk, high-upside move.
But don’t expect the Knicks to stop there. They’re also doing their homework on a few potential bench upgrades.
One name that’s surfaced is Jose Alvarado, a defensive pest who brings full-court pressure and relentless energy. He’s the kind of spark plug who can swing momentum in a playoff series, and his skill set fits nicely with the Knicks’ gritty, defense-first identity.
New York is also reportedly monitoring Naji Marshall and Keon Ellis. Both players offer versatility on the wing, and both would come at a manageable price - depending, of course, on how the market shakes out in the final days before the deadline. These aren’t splashy names, but they’re the kind of depth pieces that can quietly elevate a playoff roster.
Marshall, in particular, has drawn attention as a potential fit. He’s a 28-year-old wing with a two-way game and a reputation for toughness, and he grew up in Atlantic City, New Jersey - so a move to the Knicks would be something of a homecoming.
But there’s a catch: his salary. To make the numbers work, the Knicks would likely need to include Mitchell Robinson in any deal for Marshall.
That’s no small thing.
Robinson is the team’s longest-tenured player and one of the league’s premier rim protectors. Trading him would require a clear plan to replace his value - especially defensively, where his shot-blocking anchors the Knicks’ interior.
Could that replacement come from within? Maybe.
Josh Hart has recently challenged Karl-Anthony Towns in a way that suggests the Knicks are still figuring out how to get the most out of their frontcourt rotation.
Ultimately, the Knicks are playing a careful game here. They’re not chasing headlines - they’re looking for the right pieces, the right fits, and the right price. It’s a strategy that reflects where they are as a franchise: competitive, confident, and quietly hunting for the kind of moves that can push them from playoff team to true contender in an Eastern Conference that feels more open than it has in years.