Back again with another Knicks final moves trade. Relatively simple move for all teams involved. For the Knicks, they fill a positional need in a bigger, traditional PF in the absence of Randle and a backup Center who can stretch the floor and defend. This comes at the cost of Robinson who will be out until start of 2025 and Sims who, although the Knicks are high on his development during the offseason, is just not solid enough atm to be the true backup Center on a contender. They also give up the wizards protected first (most likely conveying as two seconds) and a second. To me, although Mitch when healthy is one of the best defensive bigs in the league, this a no-brainer. Clarke is on a long-term relatively affordable contract and can be a quality starter on this team. This is huge when this team is just going to continue to become more expensive and more difficult to hold together. The only confounding issue I can think of is the cap implications for a bridges extension due to the third year on Clarke’s contract but I don’t believe that will be a problem? I’m not a cap expert by any means. This gives the Knicks a starting lineup of Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Clarke-Towns with Payne-McBride-Hart-Achiuwa-Reath off the bench with an additional rotation of Kolek-Shamet-Dadiet-Toppin-Hukporti. That is a roster built to compete and built to last.

For the Blazers, they cash in on Reath who has proven to be a solid rotation piece on a cheap contract. Although I know getting back another Center is not ideal, they can take a chance on Sims progressing or alternatively I know a concern for the team has been an abundance of guys to keep longer term and not enough space/money to do it. If it doesn’t work out for Sims this season then it wouldn’t be the end of the world to let him go, but again I think Sims has been putting in an extreme amount of work in the offseason and has had flashes this preseason of being a solid player just not on the timeline the Knicks need. For the blazers, they also get a second and the Wizards pick which most likely won’t convey as a first but still has some potential. Otherwise, it would be two seconds or alternatively could be used as leverage in another trade with the Wizards if needed. Overall decent value for Reath I believe but I can understand why Blazers fans may not be high on it!

Finally, for the Grizzlies, they have been searching for awhile for a true starting Center to allow JJJ to play his more natural PF and to help with interior defense and rebounding. Robinson checks all those boxes. Although Edey may also check those boxes, relying on him to be a rookie starting Center and compete which I believe a healthy grizzlies team can do this year might be a bit too much to ask. Robinson can help bridge that gap even though he will be out for the start of the season-perfect opportunity for Edey to get his reps in before the season gets serious. Yes, they give up Clarke, but I think functionally this makes the team a lot better and makes a lot more sense. A rotation of Morant-Bane-GG-JJJ-Robinson with Smart-Williams-Kennard-Aldama-Edey is extremely solid.

I want to know what you think! Who wins? Who says no? What would you change? Let me know in the comments below and please keep it respectful!