The Strickland’s 2024 NBA Trade Deadline Roundtable

It’s almost the NBA trade deadline — everyone’s favorite or least favorite time of the NBA season. Regardless of your preference, The Strickland’s staff is here to talk it all out before the Knicks either do or don’t make a move.

Malcolm Brogdon, Alec Burks, Bruce Brown and several other guards have been linked to the Knicks. Who’s your preferred target, and why?

Prez: The nature and structure of an incoming player’s salary is as big a draw for the front office as their on-ball talent, because the departure of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett left the Knicks not only with a dearth of ball handling, but also a lack of large contracts to be traded should a superstar be available this summer. Fortunately for me and maybe the front office, the guy on here who fits best for cap purposes and for on-court purposes is the same guy: fraudulent/reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon.

Geoff (FrankBarrett119): Prez answered this question as well as possible.

Alex: I’ll throw a slightly different option out there: Alex Caruso, if he’s available, works salary-wise for Quentin Grimes, Ryan Arcidiacano and Jericho Sims, preserving Evan Fournier’s big salary chunk for another upgrade — perhaps a player who could fill in for Julius Randle, which I’ll address in the next Q. But Caruso was utilized earlier in his career as more of a facilitator; if he can harness some of that again, he could be a good fit with the ragtag group of pseudo-ball handlers on the second unit. And he makes a super affordable $10 million next season.

I also still don’t hate the long-rumored interest in Dejounte Murray — and if I’m putting my tinfoil hat on, I think there’s a world where Leon Rose and Rich Paul’s meeting this last week was about getting Dejounte in New York this year and using him as the main piece of a sign-and-trade to get LeBron in MSG next year. But Brogdon is by far the safest option, and I wouldn’t be mad at it.

Zach: I’m with Prez and Geoff as Brogdon is my top choice, but I’ve talked myself into Bruce Brown as well. His price is as low as it'll ever be, considering his $22 million team option for 2024-25, and the Knicks could be able to get him without giving up Quentin Grimes. Brown is somebody who’s shown he’ll do whatever it takes for his team to win a championship, whether that’s on-ball creation, off-ball scoring, perimeter defense or rebounding. He’s not as flashy with the ball as Brogdon, Jordan Clarkson or some of the other guards the Knicks are linked to, but I’m willing to bet on Brown’s elite instincts as a connector, defender and ultimate “glue guy.”

Luca (KNICKSTAPE__): I’m with the majority on this one. Since the OG Anunoby trade, the Knicks have lacked another trusted ballhandler alongside Julius and Jalen Brunson. Brogdon fits that bill perfectly. While his defense isn’t amazing, he will always be surrounded by good defenders, and his 41% from three makes him a threat at all three levels (yes, he’s 95th percentile in the midrange this year) that the Knicks haven’t had off the bench since trading IQ. Brogdon should be relatively cheap to acquire, and his $22.5 million salary next season could make for an interesting part of the star trade the Knicks have waited so long to complete.

Sam: I’m going to choose a totally, maybe-not-so-analytical route here and say Clarkson. The Garden needs some aura off the bench with Quickley gone, and I think Clarkson can provide that. All jokes aside, I’ve watched a fair amount of Clarkson — for betting purposes, of course — and he slots well as a ballhandler and off-ball guard who can facilitate. I do have some concerns about his shooting, as he is just below 30% from three. My safe and solid pick would have to be Brogdon, as he is the most steady, stable hand, while Clarkson heat checks may cause Tom Thibodeau to have a conniption. 

Shwinnypooh: Brogdon, but I don't think he will be available, unfortunately. The Knicks desperately need a dribble-drive threat who is a viable off-ball player that can play with or without Brunson. Reminds me of a guy the Knicks just . . . but you got to give to get.

Should the Knicks go after an extra big man with Mitchell Robinson still injured?

Prez: At first I thought yes, but I feel like Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims are beginning to internalize the simplicity of their roles and doing well because of it. But I have no idea when Mitch is supposed to return, so “I have no idea” is my final answer.

Geoff: This should be taken with a grain of salt, as we have very limited information regarding Mitch’s potential return, but my intuition says no. No matter how many centers the Knicks have, I truly believe this team’s ceiling will be defined by its willingness to play small in certain moments. More healthy bigs may dissuade Thibs from trying.

Alex: I like the rumored interest in P.J. Washington, both as a temporary Randle replacement and as a guy that could carve out a solid role once Randle is back as another potent scorer at the 4. Thibs would just have to be comfortable playing him at the 5 sometimes, which is no guarantee. But if they can do Fournier plus a pick for him and address the backup ballhandler problem elsewhere, I’m intrigued.

Zach: No. Isaiah Hartenstein, Achiuwa and Sims have been just fine and I don’t want to create a logjam when Robinson returns. 

Luca: I don’t think so. If you asked me this question a week and a half ago, I probably would have said yes. However, the recent emergence of Precious in the backup big role has completely shifted my perspective. Hartenstein and Sims are also playing well, making it difficult to want another backup big with the possibility of Mitch returning soon as well.

Sam: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think the Knicks should continue to show confidence in Precious. I think at his previous stops, they all kind of gave up on him. By keeping him in this role and trusting him while Mitch, Randle and OG are out, I think it will raise his level of play or at least keep the floor as high as it’s been. There’s nothing he’s doing out there right now that seems unsustainable. Sims has also proven to be a trusted big in spot minutes. 

Besides the rumored crop of name-brand candidates, who is an under-the-radar trade target you’d like the Knicks to go after?

Geoff: Quickley (just kidding). How under-the-radar are we talkin’ here? Alex Caruso? Mikal Bridges??

Alex: Ibou Badji as a throw-in if they get Brogdon. I’m 100% serious.

Zach: Westchester’s own A.J. Griffin. It’s been a rough few months for the Griffins, as A.J. has struggled with injuries and fallen out of Atlanta’s rotation while Adrian Sr. just got axed in Milwaukee. Let’s give the family something to cheer for and bring A.J. back home to NY. It was just three years ago when A.J. was the No. 29 player in his high school class, shortly before he shot the lights out of Cameron Indoor his lone season at Duke. A consensus lottery guy in the 2022 NBA Draft, Griffin is still only 20 and could be gettable for a handful of second-round picks. Pick up the phone!

Luca: I’d like to see the Knicks go after Alex Caruso. Although not the primary ball handler that some would hope, he’s had pseudo-playmaking roles in the past and would join a bench of pseudo-ballhandlers anyway. Still one of the best defenders in the NBA, he’d be joining an already elite group of defenders off the Knicks bench. Caruso is shooting 41% from three on the year and can play the 1 through the 3. 

Shwinnypooh: Mike Muscala or Dario Šarić.

The Knicks have been heavily rumored to be shopping Quentin Grimes. Should he be moved, and what should New York get in return?

Geoff: Should they? No. I don’t think people realize how valuable Grimes’ archetype is. He has underwhelmed because we expect progression to be linear. But he’s still shooting over 36% from three on 8.4 3-point attempts per 36 minutes and is legitimately one of the best guard defenders in the entire NBA.

Will they? Maybe. Thibs doesn’t seem too interested in finding out what more Grimes has to give and he clearly prefers the ‘Nova bros. The problem is his trade value is quite low and he’s a relatively inexpensive player. Trading him for anything close to equal compensation will require attaching salary (Fournier) that they likely are trying to save for a bigger swing. This brings me back to Grimes probably being here to stay for the rest of the season.

Alex: Their stated stance per Jake Fischer as I’m writing this is that they only want to move Grimes if it pushes the needle forward for the team. In that regard, I say go for it. Maybe I’m being a homer, but every time I squint with this team lately I get closer and closer to seeing a dark horse title team this year. If there’s a move they can make to try to accomplish that using Grimes, go for it. But don’t move him for the sake of moving him; that’d be dumb. 

Zach: I’m with Geoff. I think there’s still a lot of fruit hanging from the Tree of Grimes, and unless it’s for a home-run upgrade, I’d like to grab it down before he’s shipped from NY.

Luca: I don’t see any reason the Knicks should trade Grimes. He is still only 23, still an elite shooter and one of the best guard defenders in the league, one who fits perfectly around two ball-dominant stars who each draw attention at all three levels. On top of that, it’s important to keep cheap contracts on the books, especially when that contract is attached to a talent like Grimes. 

Shwinnypooh: The Knicks should be willing to put Grimes in a trade for a player that elevates them now and in the future. Is that caliber of player available at this deadline? I don't see it.

Both Grimes and Deuce McBride have seen increased opportunities since the OG trade. If the Knicks add one more player at the deadline, which of Grimes/McBride would you prefer to keep in the rotation? 

Prez: I will not choose between my 2021 draft children. YOU CAN’T MAKE ME!

Geoff: It feels incredibly unlikely that they add a player without giving up one of these players. But if they somehow did, Deuce is shooting much more confidently off the catch. And while Grimes rates out meaningfully better than McBride defensively this season, we know what McBride is capable of on that end, especially when it’s his primary focus (which it would become after acquiring a ballhandler to lead the bench unit). If you believe McBride’s shooting is at all real, he simply has to be the answer.

Alex: Ride the hot hand, I guess, but as of right now it’s Deuce for me, crazy as that seems. He’s just been more consistent.

Zach: Give me Grimes. Deuce has been awesome in the absence of Quickley, but if the Knicks are bringing in another ballhandler and relegating McBride strictly to off-ball duties, Grimes is the better option. He can defend more positions, and I like his chances attacking closeouts more than Deuce. 

Luca: If somehow both Deuce and Grimes are here post-deadline, I would still probably prefer keeping Grimes in the rotation over Deuce, even given his struggles. Although Deuce has been lighting it up from the 3-point line and showing increased confidence game-in and game-out, I think a lot of it has to do with the confidence that comes with being a lead ball-handler. Grimes fits better around Brunson and Randle, can still shoot the shit out of the ball and has been a much better defender than Deuce this year. Simply put, for an off-ball role, Grimes is much better suited, and proven, than McBride.

Sam: Man, this sucks because we know the coach we’re dealing with and my answer is something that won’t happen, but a man can dream, right? I would like both of them to remain in the rotation, but in situational terms — and not the way Thibs likes to use that term. I mean in the way that if one matchup requires one of them more than the other, then the lineup and rotation adjusts for it. Yes, I know, that’s never happening. But given how both have played recently, it’s way too hard to ask one of them to just stop playing now, even with an upgrade coming in to bolster the bench. They both offer skills and tools that we have seen come in handy not only on a regular-season night in February, but also in the playoffs. 

Shwinnypooh: Grimes, easy. And I genuinely really like Deuce.

Everyone knows the Knicks plan to make a big swing for a superstar in the upcoming summer. Which star(s) do you prefer, and who would you stay away from?

Prez: I prefer the guy who can score 70 in a game and who for most of his career has been surrounded by clown coaches and pseudostars who undermined his talent. Come at me, bros.

Geoff: I’m not convinced the Knicks need a star, but if they go for one, the ideal one is someone who allows Brunson’s impact to be fully additive rather than diminishing. This narrows it down to two names: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid. Bring the Greek Freak to the Mecca. 

Alex: If this was just a question of “Who can the Knicks afford in a vacuum that I’d want the most?” I’d say Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But the Thunder would be fools to move him now; that pipe dream is dead. I also like Embiid in a vacuum, but unfortunately we live in the real world, where he’s constantly hurt or on the verge of being hurt. Prior to this season I’d have probably been on board, but after this latest injury I say pass.

Which brings me to Mikal Bridges, who I don’t really consider to be in that super-DUPER star, MVP kinda category, but who would be an amazing fit for this team and might be worth overpaying for with the in-division tax from the Nets, on the condition that Randle stays a Knick in the process to create a big three surrounded by a supporting cast of OG, Hart, DiVincenzo, Hartenstein, etc. And then my dark horse candidate . . . LeBron. Would it feel like a dirty, sell-out move? Sure. I don’t care. Use your resources to draft Bronny, bring LeBron over in a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, win a damn title or two. It’d still be fun, I promise.

Zach: I hate to be that guy, but I’ve finally sold myself on the Embiid idea. Yes, I would prefer someone like Giannis or Luka, but I think Embiid is the most realistic option on the table for the Knicks and I’m already gearing up for the front office to be all-in come summer.

Embiid's timetable for return from meniscus surgery is yet to be determined. Let’s say he misses the rest of this season, giving him an ‘extended offseason’ going into 2024-25. If the Knicks make the swing on the early side of this summer, that’ll give Embiid at least four months around the Knicks’ coaching/training/medical staffs, all of which I’m confident are stronger than those in Philly. When the season rolls around, Brunson will take more offensive pressure off of Embiid than anyone he’s ever played with and Anunoby will take more defensive pressure off of Embiid than anyone he’s ever played with. So yeah: the extended offseason, time in Tarrytown, and immensely talented roster are enough for me to roll the dice on Embiid’s injury history. 

*LeBron, if you’re reading this it’s not too late.

Luca: Embiid is the name at the top of the list for me in terms of superstars. Like Geoff, I believe that the only way to maximize Brunson with a star alongside him is for that star to give Brunson the space to have his highest impact. Embiid does just that, and although we have just heard the news of his torn meniscus, he would have extensive time to recover for a fully healthy season of basketball (hopefully). Not only would Embiid alleviate pressures for Brunson, he’d be playing with the best defense that he’s ever had around him and have less offensive pressure than ever with Brunson’s presence.

Aside from Embiid, I would love the Knicks to take a swing for Mikal Bridges. He’d be an incredible fit alongside Brunson and Randle and join an already strong group of superstar role players. The thought of having Brunson and Randle’s offensive dominance while OG and Mikal knock down threes from the corners and lock up the opposition’s top two offensive players has me dreaming about the 2024 NBA champion New York Knicks.

Sam: Is it bad that I don’t like any of the options on the table? Lol, I mean if Stephen Curry doesn’t want to rot in Golden State with whatever the hell they got going on down there, I’m all for it. But seriously, I mean I guess I wouldn’t mind Giannis. He’s not a notorious playoff dropper like Embiid, nor a constant health scare . . . like Embiid. I don’t know, I am just very averse to many of the league’s stars lately, for whatever reason. 

What is your official prediction for the Knicks at the 2024 trade deadline?

Geoff: Leon Rose does what he’s been doing for his entire tenur and takes the boring route. My guess is they’ll acquire someone to beef up the bench’s ability to score without sacrificing too much and the Knicks will head into the postseason with realistic aspirations of at least one postseason series victory.

Alex: Realistically, I think they go get Brogdon and maybe find a way to build a three-team deal that also gets them Bruce Brown, though that would require some Brock Aller wizardry. But in the back of my mind I can’t help but think they’re gonna trade for Dejounte based on the whole to-do surrounding Leon Rose and Rich Paul’s pow-wow, and the reporting on the whole Dejounte-Knicks-Klutch situation for the last month-plus. My tinfoil hat is firmly on until proven otherwise on Thursday.

Zach: The Knicks get Bruce Brown for a price that makes us all say, “Leon, you’ve done it again.”

Luca: Leon makes the boring but necessary move by acquiring a bench ballhandler — Brogdon, Brown or even both — for cheaper than their reported prices, and the alleviated pressure on Brunson and Randle leads the Knicks to 50+ wins and a top-3 seed.

Shwinnypooh: The Knicks trade a protected first and Fournier for Brown.

Sam: I don’t think the Klutch-CAA peace summit was all for nothing. Two of the key ballhandlers linked to the Knicks throughout these trade rumors are Klutch clients in Clarkson and Brogdon. I think the Knicks acquire one of them and call it day.