New York Knicks

The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets agreed in principle on a blockbuster trade that sent forward Mikal Bridges to the Knicks on Tuesday night, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Per Wojnarowski, the Nets received four unprotected first-round picks as well as a protected first-round pick in 2025. The Knicks also sent out a 2028 unprotected pick swap as well as veteran forward Bojan Bogdanović.

It's a steep price to pay for New York, although Bridges is a major addition to a team that made it to Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs in 2024. He also reunites with several of his former college teammates at Villanova including Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo.

Brunson, Hart and several others reacted to the massive trade:

Despite the Nets' struggles throughout the 2023-24 season, Bridges' individual production remained commendable. He averaged 19.6 points and 4.5 rebounds each night on 43.6/37.2/81.4 shooting splits, starting in all 82 games with Brooklyn.

While it's a risky move for the Knicks as they attempt to contend for a title, Bridges' new teammates are clearly happy about the trade.

The New York Knicks reportedly pursued Alex Caruso before he was traded by the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Knicks and Sacramento Kings both offered "draft capital" in exchange for Caruso before the Bulls ultimately moved him to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Per Johnson, both teams felt that their trade packages were "superior" compared to the completed deal.

Chicago received 21-year-old Josh Giddey from the Thunder in return for the defensive-minded guard, although no draft picks were exchanged in the trade.

Anthony Slater and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported on Monday that the Kings were "close" to trading for Caruso and planned to include the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft as part of the return.

Although the exact draft capital of New York's offer isn't known, Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer revealed on Friday that the team was "contacting" opposing front offices to discuss trades involving center Mitchell Robinson.

It isn't difficult to see why playoff contenders such as the Thunder, Knicks, and Kings were all interested in the 30-year-old. He's earned All-Defensive nods in each of the past two seasons, averaging 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game since the Bulls signed him as a free agent in 2021.

Caruso also took a leap offensively during his 2023-24 campaign, averaging a career-high 10.1 points per game and hitting 40.8 percent of his three-point attempts. He also recorded 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists compared to just 1.4 turnovers each night.

It's interesting that Chicago didn't prefer offers centered around draft picks, as the team appears to be moving forward with a focus on younger players such as 24-year-old Coby White. While Giddey is only three years into his career, he's also eligible to receive a rookie-scale extension this summer.

With their amount of draft capital remaining the same after Friday's trade, the Bulls currently own the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft.

The New York Knicks may have little recourse but to give OG Anunoby whatever contract he desires in free agency.

"They can't lose him, the same way (Pascal) Siakam's getting the max from (the) Indiana (Pacers). You can't trade for somebody, give so much up and then let him go. It's not feasible," one NBA executive told Fred Katz of The Athletic.

The Knicks sent RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn in December.

Anunoby averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists after the trade, numbers that don't jump off the page but undersell his value. The Indiana product is one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA, using his lateral quickness and length to regularly bother the league's best scorers. He's also a career 37.6 percent shooter from three-point range and was an instant favorite of coach Tom Thibodeau upon his arrival.

Still, the price is expected to get awfully steep for a non-All-Star once Anunoby hits the open market. He's expected to command upwards of $35 million annually, a jarring number that will send costs soaring for a Knicks core that has not gotten farther than the second round. Between Anunoby and center Isaiah Hartenstein, the Knicks could wind up paying more than $50 million per year to a pair of role players this offseason.

That will leave little room for the front office to improve the team around Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, but the front office went into the acquisition with eyes wide open. Anunoby was always bound for free agency; now they'll just have to decide whether breaking the bank is worth it.

OG Anunoby has reportedly declined his $19.9 million player option to return to the New York Knicks for the 2024-25 season, making him a free agent.

The 26-year-old Anunoby, who has played seven NBA seasons, just averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals for the Toronto Raptors and Knicks in 2023-24.

The Knicks acquired Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn from the Raptors in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick on Dec. 30.

Anunoby played six-plus seasons in Toronto, who selected him with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft out of Indiana. His accolades with the Raptors include helping the team win the 2019 NBA Finals and earning NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2023. Anunoby notably led the NBA with 1.9 steals during the 2022-23 season.

Anunoby signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension with the Raps in Dec. 2020, with a player option for 2024-25.

The Raptors traded Anunoby in the midst of a lost season (12-19 at the time of the trade). With Anunoby potentially opting out of his deal, a trade made too much sense.

Meanwhile, the Knicks, who have long coveted Anunoby, were fighting to become of the Eastern Conference's elite teams. That midseason shakeup signaled that the Knicks were doing what they could do fight for a championship with Jalen Brunson leading the way.

Anunoby finished the season averaging 14.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 1.7 SPG for the Knicks, who went 26-6 with him on the floor.

New York was clearly better with Anunoby, who missed time with right elbow ailments and a left hamstring strain, the latter of which was suffered in the playoffs.

His presence was sorely needed, too, with the Knicks also losing Julius Randle for the season on Jan. 29 with a dislocated right shoulder.

Anunoby was healthy for the entire first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, a 4-2 Knicks victory. He played Game 1 of the second round against the Indiana Pacers (121-117 win) but then got hurt in Game 2 with a hamstring strain after scoring 28 points in 28 minutes. He didn't play again until Game 7, giving it a go for a five minutes before being forced to the bench in a 130-109 series-ending loss.

While Anunoby did miss a lot of time, there's no denying his value to the Knicks, and that certainly raised his profile going into the offseason. And it's clear New York valued him too, to the point where SNY's Ian Begley provided this June 19 report.

Ultimately, Anunoby clearly raised his contract value during his team with the Knicks, so it's no surprise that he's looking to enter free agency. He'll certainly land a well-deserved and lucrative contract somewhere.

The New York Knicks are coming off a true "what-if" campaign. New York caught fire after December's trade for OG Anunoby, earned the No. 2 seed in the East and made it to the second round of the postseason before losing in seven games to the Indiana Pacers.

The Knicks and their fans have to wonder what might have been if not for late injuries to Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.

Keeping the core intact and hoping the roster stays healthy is a viable offseason plan. However, the Knicks are reportedly interested in making a splash move this offseason, likely with the hopes of catching up to the newly-crowned champion Boston Celtics.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein (h/t Bleacher Report's Jack Murray), the Knicks have interest in trading for Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, if he exercises his player option for the 2024-25 season:

"Another trusted source has advised me to keep the Knicks on the list as a potential trade suitor for George if the All-NBA swingman indeed opts into the final season of his current contract at $48.8 million. That step would position George to push for a trade to another team."

Trading for the 34-year-old George wouldn't make sense for every franchise. However, New York is one of the few for which it would be logical. The Knicks have their coach in Tom Thibodeau, they have a roster that is very close, and they made a trade work financially.

New York is projected to be just over $27 million below the luxury tax threshold, and it could potentially offload another $14.3 million by trading Robinson.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Knicks have contacted teams about trading Robinson while also hoping to keep impending free agent Isaiah Hartenstein. New York could save another $19.9 million if Anunoby declines his 2024-25 player option and isn't re-signed.

While Anunoby was terrific for the Knicks when healthy, especially defensively, his multiple injuries this past season are concerning. Letting Anunoby go and adding George to the lineup is an option for New York to consider.

Another option includes offloading Randle and his $28.9 million cap hit. The 29-year-old is another tremendous player, though again, when healthy. While the Knicks should prefer to keep him, he might be the biggest bargaining chip that actually moves the needle for the Clippers.

Including Randle in a package to L.A. would potentially still leave the Knicks with Anunoby, Hartenstein, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and George—a lineup that would certainly challenge Boston in the East.

Nabbing George could also keep him away from the rival Philadelphia 76ers, though according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Philadelphia's interest has waned.

Of course, all of this is dependent on George actually opting in and pushing for a trade elsewhere. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Clippers are confident that they can convince George to re-sign on a new deal.

"At least today, they are believing that Paul George is going to want to stay home in L.A. where his family is, where he's got roots, where he's wanted to be," Windhorst said Friday on First Take (h/t Bleacher Report's Tyler Conway), "...The Clippers are like, 'Here's our offer, this is where your home is, stay here. If you want more money, then you got to go do it, then that's fine.'"

There's no guarantee that New York can make a run at George this offseason, but it's something the franchise must consider.

George may be aging, but he's still a top-25-caliber player who started 74 games this past season. Adding him would mean tinkering with an already strong lineup, but landing George may only mean parting with players who missed time in the postseason anyway.

Standouts of George's caliber don't become available often. It would be foolish for the Knicks to not weigh adding George against the other options they have in front of them this offseason.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.

Paul George's next stop reportedly could be with the New York Knicks.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Knicks are a "potential trade suitor" if the nine-time All-Star was to opt in to his $48.8 million player option for 2024-25.

"Another trusted source has advised me to keep the Knicks on the list as a potential trade suitor for George if the All-NBA swingman indeed opts into the final season of his current contract at $48.8 million," Stein wrote. "That step would position George to push for a trade to another team."

George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 74 games in 2023-24. He helped the Clippers go 51-31 and earn the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, although it would fall in the first round to the Dallas Mavericks.

While retaining George and pushing for a championship could be intriguing for the Clippers, the strong depth within the conference could push the team to look towards a retooling stage. Trading George could jumpstart that process and put it in a position to recoup some value instead of potentially losing him to the highest bidder.

New York earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and advanced to the second round. George could potentially be the piece that helps the Knicks push further in the postseason and could form a core with Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Julius Randle.

The Washington Wizards have reportedly been in talks regarding a trade for New York Knicks starting center Mitchell Robinson, per SNY's Ian Begley.

"So the fact that Mitchell Robinson's name has come up in some of the Knicks' trade conversations with opposing teams isn't all that surprising (The Wizards are among the teams whose talks with the Knicks have included dialogue on Robinson. I'm sure several other teams have talked to New York about Robinson, their 26-year-old starting center)," Begley wrote.

Begley also noted that "it would be surprising" if New York decides to trade Robinson before or during this week's NBA draft.

Robinson, 26, averaged 5.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season, playing just 31 games while dealing with an ankle injury. He underwent surgery on his left ankle during the second round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers.

One factor that could play into the Knicks' decision around Robinson is Isaiah Hartenstein's free agency. The center has drawn interest from several teams around the league, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, and could reportedly receive offers as high as $100 million this offseason.

Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported Friday that Hartenstein is "generally expected" to re-sign with New York, but if Hartenstein departs in free agency, the Knicks would likely have to reevaluate whether they want to hold onto Robinson or look for another big man in a possible trade.

The Wizards hold the No. 2 pick in this week's draft, and Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projects them to select French big man Alex Sarr. If Washington takes a center with its first pick in the draft, that could lessen the need to trade for Robinson.

If a trade to the Wizards doesn't work out, there are likely still a handful of teams that would be willing to work with the Knicks to get a veteran center. New York has reportedly been contacting other teams looking for a deal for Robinson, so Washington might be one of many options for a trade.

The New York Knicks have been "contacting" other teams to discuss trades involving center Mitchell Robinson, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

With the Knicks reportedly looking to move Robinson, Fischer added that impending free agent Isaiah Hartenstein is "generally expected" to re-sign with the team.

Although Robinson opened up the 2023-24 season as New York's starting center, the former second-round pick appeared in only 31 regular-season games due to an ankle injury that he suffered in Dec. 2023.

Hartenstein moved into the starting lineup in the absence of Robinson and thrived alongside All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, averaging 8.4 points and 8.8 rebounds to go along with 2.6 assists per game as a starter (via Basketball Reference). The Knicks finished the season with the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, making it to the second round of the playoffs before falling to the Indiana Pacers in seven games.

With New York attempting to bring back Hartenstein, the front office could move Robinson and explore cheaper options at the backup center spot. He currently has two years remaining on his contract and will earn $14.3 million for the 2024-25 season and $12.9 million for his 2025-26 campaign (per Spotrac).

Robinson could entice opposing teams on the trade market due to his defense, as he owns career averages of 1.9 blocks and 0.9 steals in 24.5 minutes per game. He's also excellent at crashing the offensive glass, recording 4.6 offensive rebounds each night during his injury-shortened 2023-24 season.

Health issues have primarily held him back throughout his career, appearing in more than 70 games just once in his six years in the NBA.

With Hartenstein's return to New York looking promising, the Knicks will likely continue to discuss trades involving Robinson.