The New York Knicks are heading into the final stretch before the trade deadline with a clear objective: bolster the roster for a deep playoff run - and they’re working every angle to make it happen. But with the second apron hard cap looming over them like a low ceiling, the front office has to get creative.
Right now, the Knicks can’t take back more salary than they send out in any deal. That means every dollar counts, and the team is exploring ways to maximize their limited flexibility.
Two names floating in trade discussions are veteran forward Guerschon Yabusele and second-year guard Pacome Dadiet, whose combined contracts give New York roughly $8.3 million in maneuverability. That’s not a ton of room, but it’s enough to potentially bring in one or two rotation-ready players - the kind of additions that can swing a playoff series.
It helps that New York already has an open roster spot. If they move two players for one, they’ll need to fill that extra slot, but that’s a manageable wrinkle if it means upgrading the rotation.
One of the more intriguing conversations has been with the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks have inquired about Jeremy Sochan, the 2022 No. 9 overall pick.
Sochan’s a versatile forward who defends multiple positions, slashes hard to the rim, and plays with the kind of edge that fits right into New York’s gritty identity. He’s in the final year of his rookie deal and will be a restricted free agent this summer - so if the Knicks were to land him, they'd have some control over his future.
But here’s the catch: despite Sochan falling out of the Spurs’ rotation recently, there’s internal resistance in San Antonio to moving him. The organization still sees value in the 20-year-old, and they haven’t signaled they’re ready to part ways just yet. The Spurs are interested in adding depth behind Victor Wembanyama, but Yabusele - once a potential fit due to his connection with Wemby from the French national team - has reportedly dropped down their list of targets.
That’s one reason trade talks between the Knicks and Spurs have cooled in recent days. There’s also speculation that San Antonio might be eyeing other moves, possibly involving Kelly Olynyk’s $13.4 million expiring contract - a flexible piece for a team looking to stay nimble.
Meanwhile, the Knicks have also been working the phones with the New Orleans Pelicans. And while much of the league is calling about Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, New York’s focus appears to be on two different names: Jose Alvarado and Yves Missi.
The Knicks have had their eye on Alvarado since before the holidays. He’s a tenacious, defense-first guard who could slide into a valuable backup role behind Jalen Brunson.
With playoff basketball often boiling down to half-court execution and perimeter defense, Alvarado’s energy and ball pressure could be a real asset off the bench. The Pelicans, for their part, are open to moving him - and they’ve taken calls from several teams, including the Rockets, Pistons, and Timberwolves.
Missi, on the other hand, is a 21-year-old center who made the All-Rookie team but has recently seen his minutes dry up behind rookie standout Derik Queen. That shift hasn’t gone over well with Missi’s camp, and there’s growing tension between the player and the organization. He wants a bigger role, and the Pelicans are fielding a wave of interest from teams looking for frontcourt help.
The Knicks are firmly in that mix. With Missi still on a rookie deal, he’s an affordable piece who could give New York some much-needed depth behind Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein. League sources say the Raptors have also checked in, but New York is considered one of the more serious suitors.
For New Orleans, the motivation is clear: they’re trying to recoup draft capital, specifically a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. That pick was dealt away in a move to trade up for Queen in the 2025 draft, and now the Pelicans are looking to get back into the mix.
That’s why they’re listening on guys like Alvarado and Missi - and even making exploratory calls about players like Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole. Whether they can get real value back for those names before the deadline remains to be seen.
Back in New York, the Knicks have also reportedly expressed interest in Dallas Mavericks wing Naji Marshall. With wing depth in short supply across the league, Marshall’s market is heating up.
Some insiders believe Dallas could even get a first-rounder in return. For the Knicks, who have been seeking a two-way contributor on the wing, Marshall fits the mold: tough defender, capable shooter, and plays with purpose.
All of this brings us back to Yabusele. His contract - two years, nearly $12 million, with a player option for 2026-27 - is one of the few movable deals on the Knicks’ books.
He signed in the offseason after a strong year in Philadelphia, and there was real competition for his services. The Nuggets, Celtics, Sixers, and Spurs all had interest.
But since arriving in New York, things haven’t gone according to plan.
In 39 games, Yabusele is averaging just 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in a shade over nine minutes per night. He’s shooting 39.2% from the field and has struggled to find a consistent role under head coach Mike Brown, who took over after the team moved on from Tom Thibodeau. With the Knicks chasing a title, they can’t afford to have a roster spot tied up in a player who isn’t contributing.
That’s why Yabusele is a key piece in these trade talks. He’s not just salary filler - he’s a veteran with value, but also someone the Knicks are willing to move to upgrade the rotation. Whether it’s a deal with the Spurs, Pelicans, or another team entirely, what the Knicks do with that contract could go a long way in shaping their postseason fate.
The clock is ticking. The trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and the Knicks are in win-now mode. Every call, every conversation, every contract matters - and the front office knows it.