The Knicks may be close to done making big offseason swings, but if Leon Rose and the front office decide to surprise the league again, Deuce McBride still looks like the most obvious name to move.
That’s not because New York is eager to break up its core. Far from it.
The sense around the league is that the Knicks are mostly finished with major business, aside from possibly taking their time on a center to fill the third-string spot. Most of the important pieces are expected back, and with recent re-signings not currently trade-eligible, the list of realistic outgoing pieces is thinner than it looks.
That’s where McBride enters the picture.
Trading him would sting. He’s the longest-tenured Knick, and he’s also one of the best bargains in the league at just under $4 million per year. On top of that, he brings elite point-of-attack defense and reliable three-point shooting, the kind of skills that fit just about anywhere.
He was a major part of New York’s season, once again living in the analytics sweet spot and posting the kind of plus-minus impact that keeps popping up next to his name. But the year also exposed some limits. McBride appeared in only 41 games this season, after playing 64 the year before, and availability is part of the equation.
The bigger concern showed up when the Knicks needed him to do more. Against San Antonio, an elite defensive backcourt, McBride’s issues were hard to miss.
At 6-foot-2, he looks more and more like an undersized shooting guard than a true point guard, and even in Year Five he still hasn’t built much of a handle. Pressured defenses can make it tough for him just to get the ball up the floor.
The halfcourt problems were there too, including in the Finals. McBride still has a hard time creating his own shot, and that puts a ceiling on how much he can bend a defense or manufacture looks for teammates.
None of that wipes out his value. His jumper is usually there, and even when it isn’t, the threat of it still matters. He’s not a natural playmaker, but he does connect plays well and help keep the offense moving.
That’s exactly why he has trade value. On a roster that already includes Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek, moving McBride is at least plausible, especially if New York thinks his defense and shooting could bring back a better backup center than what’s sitting on the free-agent market right now.
The Knicks would take a hit in backcourt depth and lose one of their most useful role players. But they’d also be dealing from a position of strength, and that matters.
If the team believes Kolek can keep developing and feels good about the mix of Alvarado, Shamet and Clarkson, McBride could absolutely be the odd man out by opening night. There would be no shortage of teams interested, either. He’s the kind of player who can fit into almost any system, next to almost anybody, because perimeter defense and shooting are always in demand.
Still, none of this guarantees a deal. The Knicks clearly value him, and he’s survived plenty of trade chatter already. He’s not easy to replace, even if you try to patch the hole with multiple pieces.
But for now, whether he likes it or not, McBride remains the most likely Knick to be moved before the second half of the offseason rolls around.
In Other News...
Knicks Finally Have A Real Answer To Their Backup Center Problem
The Knicks addressed one of their quieter but more persistent roster needs by bringing in Andre Drummond on a one-year contract, giving the second unit a true backup center with a defined job. New York is counting on his size and physicality to help on the glass and around the rim, while also giving the starters a chance to breathe without the team losing its defensive shape when the rotation turns over.
What stands out about the move is how clearly it fits the Knicks broader approach. Rather than trying to replace every departing frontcourt piece with a like-for-like answer, the front office is leaning into role clarity and lineup fit, and Drummond fits that mold as a low-usage interior presence. For a team that wants stability behind its main group, he looks like the sort of specialist who can settle a problem spot without asking for more than his lane. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks May Be Running Out Of Time On A Roster Option
The Knicks search for depth in the middle has taken on a little more urgency with Jeremy Sochan still sitting on the board as a potential third-string center option. New York has not re-signed him yet, and that linger can matter this time of year when teams are filling out the edges of a roster and trying to protect themselves against losing a useful piece before camp or the next wave of moves.
Minnesotas reported interest adds another layer of pressure for New York, because Sochan is the kind of young defender who can draw attention even if his offensive game remains limited. For the Knicks, the decision is less about splash and more about timing, and the longer they wait, the more they risk watching a practical roster fit become someone elses answer. [Read more 🡒]