Everything felt so different a month ago. The New York Knicks were riding high after clinching the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup, but January has been a cold, hard slap in the face. Honestly, the vibes at Madison Square Garden have soured faster than a carton of milk left on the radiator. A 2-8 stretch over the last ten games will do that to a fanbase.
Injuries have played their part, sure. Jalen Brunson’s right ankle sprain on January 14 against Sacramento sent a shiver down the spine of every person in the 212 area code. Then Josh Hart sits out with "soreness." Suddenly, the depth that looked okay on paper in October looks incredibly thin in the harsh light of a losing streak.
The February 5 trade deadline is looming. Leon Rose isn't exactly known for being a "panic move" kind of guy, but the New York Knicks trade rumors and news hitting the wires suggest he’s looking for more than just a band-aid.
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The Guerschon Yabusele Problem
Basically, the Guerschon Yabusele experiment has hit a wall. Hard. After a massive Olympic run and a decent stint with the Sixers, he was supposed to be the bench spark. Instead, he’s found himself on the outside of Mike Brown’s rotation looking in.
He's currently the most likely piece to be moved. Why? His $5.5 million salary is the most flexible "matching" tool the Knicks have without touching the core guys. SNY’s Ian Begley has already indicated that both sides are probably ready for a fresh start. Pacome Dadiet, the 20-year-old rookie, is also being tossed into trade conversations as a "sweetener."
It's a tough spot. You’ve got a player in Yabusele who has a player option for next year. That makes him a bit of a tricky sell for teams that don't want to be stuck with a $4.5 million bill for someone who isn't playing.
Who Is New York Actually Targeting?
If you're looking at the names being linked to the Knicks, it's clear the front office is worried about the frontcourt. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.9 points—a career low—and his defense has been, well, let's just say Mike Brown hasn't been thrilled lately.
Here is the shortlist of names actually circulating:
- Simone Fontecchio (Miami Heat): The Italian wing is the name James L. Edwards III of The Athletic has circled. He makes $8.3 million, which matches up almost perfectly if you combine Yabusele and Dadiet. He’s a floor spacer. The Knicks desperately need someone who can shoot 37% from deep without needing a map to find the basket.
- Nick Richards (Phoenix Suns): The Suns are trying to duck the tax. Richards is a serviceable backup five who can protect the rim. The Knicks checked in on him back when he was in Charlotte, so the interest is real and long-standing.
- Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans): This one is interesting. Jake Fischer reported the Pelicans are actually listening to offers on their rookie. He's only 21 and makes $3.3 million. He doesn't space the floor, but he catches lobs and plays hard. For a team hard-capped at the second apron, that cost-controlled years are like gold.
- Naji Marshall (Dallas Mavericks): A bit of a "luxury" target. Sam Quinn at CBS floated a three-team deal involving the Nets to get Marshall to New York. He’s 27, tough, and can handle the ball. He’d fit the "Knicks identity" perfectly, but getting the Mavs to give him up mid-run is a tall order.
The Financial Handcuffs
The Knicks are currently dancing right on the edge of the second apron. They are literally about $150,000 below it. That is nothing. It means they can’t take back a single penny more than they send out in a trade.
It also kills their ability to work the buyout market. If a veteran gets waived and made more than the $14 million mid-level exception at their previous stop, the Knicks can't touch them. Period. This is why a trade before February 5 is so much more important than it used to be. You can’t just wait for the "post-deadline veterans" to fall into your lap anymore.
What to Watch for This Week
The next few days will be telling. Jalen Brunson is "day-to-day" and was upgraded to questionable before the Suns game, which is a good sign. If he comes back and the Knicks start winning again, the urgency to move Yabusele might dip slightly.
But don't count on it. The lack of reliable depth behind Mitchell Robinson and KAT is a ticking time bomb. Robinson has only played 28 games this season, and his ankles are a constant source of anxiety for the coaching staff.
The Actionable Reality:
If you're tracking the New York Knicks trade rumors and news, stop looking for a superstar. There is zero chance Giannis or any other $50 million man is walking through those doors before February. The move is going to be a "marginal" one—someone in the $8 million to $12 million range who can actually stay on the floor for 18 minutes a night without the lead evaporating.
Keep an eye on the Heat and the Pelicans. Those are the most logical partners for a deal involving Yabusele and future second-round picks. Leon Rose has a mountain of those seconds, and he's going to have to use them eventually.
Next Steps for Knicks Fans:
Monitor the injury report for Monday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. If Brunson and Hart return, look at how Mike Brown handles the bench rotation. If Yabusele gets a "DNP-CD" (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) again, consider him as good as gone. Check the specific salary of trade targets like Simone Fontecchio ($8.3M) or Nick Richards ($5M) against the Yabusele/Dadiet package to see if the math even works before getting too excited.