First they fire Thibs and hire one to Sam Cassell, Chris Quinn, Dan Hurley, or Johnnie Bryant as HC. After these moves the Knicks would still be about $6 million below the second apron leaving them room for vet minimum signings to fill out depth.

Starting 5 PG: Jalen Brunson (33 MPG) SG: Donte Divincenzo (28 MPG) SF: Mikal Bridges (31 MPG) PF: OG Anunoby (31 MPG) C: Karl-Anthony Towns (30 MPG)

6th: Josh Hart (28 MPG) 7th: Walker Kessler (25 MPG) 8th: Deuce McBride (20 MPG) 9th: Jake LaRavia (14 MPG) DEPTH: Ariel Hukporti C, Resign Landry Shamet F, Resign Cam Payne G, 2025 NBA draft 2nd Round Pick…

This trade happens on July 1. The Knicks send Kelly Olynic to the Nets to open up a trade exemption.

At that point, they sign Steven Adams because they are under the first apron. Then they trade Kolek for DDV and the second rounder. DDV into the trade exception

The Timberwolves do that because they really need a young point guard on a cheap contract because Conley is going to retire soon and they only have Dillingham….

Obviously the context of the situation would have to be Grizz committing to Ja and the Knicks willing to take on the huge risk in Zion if it means getting JJJ which I think would be the perfect Thibs lineup if Zion by some miracle decided he loved basketball more than Popeyes fried chicken sandwiches (they have no right being that good).

This would let Thibs rest his starters and give him a deep bench again.

JB-Bridges-OG-Zion-JJJ with Hart, DVo, Kolek, Hukporti…

In my opinion, the Knicks need to commit to an identity. Either offense or defense. Offense entails focusing on getting 3 and d wings to surround Kat at the 5 while defense entails getting more rim protecting centers to put Kat at the 4 almost full time.

This trade accomplishes defense, and here’s why I think each team may do it.

Knicks: already explained. Hart is extremely valuable and a better player than Kessler, but when he’s in the court teams ignore him offensively and he’s been at best an avg defender this year. Hart, a protected first that will turn into 2 high value seconds, and a young player in kolek is a lot to give up, but depth wise it’s a 1 for 1 swap. Kleber gives emergency depth and Knicks also free up money to sign someone w part of MLE.

Lakers: they need a center, this trade doesn’t not accomplish that. But this trade does get them more depth and an amazing rebounder, a guy that should thrive playing next to Luke and LeBron in fast breaks. They also only lose one …

MIN: Minnesota were interested in Q before he got traded to Toronto Knicks send Q together with Ju for KAT and save Donte and Detroits FRP Anderson/Burks are swapped because of team needs, both were expiring contracts

Raptors: Instead of getting both RJ and Q, Knicks send Detroits FRP and their 31 FRP (t3 protection) alongside RJ

Pistons: Knicks don’t do the Bogdanovic trade and keep Grimes and their SRP

Nets: Knicks do the same trade package with just 3 FRP (25/27/29, 26/28 swap-picks) and Fournier and Grimes instead of Bogdanovic and 5 picks/ 1 swap

Knicks: they get KAT before the extension kicks in, saving Donte from being traded Anderson adds the wing depth expected off the Bogdanovic trade they keep one of their 2025 FRP for depth purposes

Team 24/25

Starters: JB-Mikal-OG-Anderson-KAT

Bench: Deuce-Donte-Josh-Mitch…

Knicks are struggling at times this year and it seems like they have a cap on how far they can go, however I do not think that major changes are needed and small depth tweaks along with a new Head Coach can take this team to the next level. Teams very rarely win a championship in their first year with a newly assembled championship caliber roster. The Knicks made two major trades this past offseason in acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets and Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Moves like this are championship needle moving trades however they tend to deplete a team's depth which is exactly what happened with the Knicks. It can take a team an extra year to rebuild the bench unit and regain their depth. Currently the Knicks have players like Precious Achiuwa, Landry Shamet, and Cam Payne coming off their bench, no offense to those guys but they just aren't championship caliber bench pieces whatsoever. Upgrading the bench will take stress off the starters and al…

OMG if we did this we'd win like every game OK i didnt use picks but yeah obviously theyd be used. Kuminga makes the trade not work but its a sign and trade…

New Coach #1 Priority: Sam Cassell, Chris Quinn, Johnnie Bryant, Dan Hurley as some candidates.

Starting 5 PG: Jalen Brunson SG: Mikal Bridges SF: OG Anunoby PF: Karl-Anthony Towns C: Walker Kessler

6th: Josh Hart 7th: Ayo Dosunmu 8th: Mitchell Robinson 9th: Jake LaRavia…

The Knicks trade Hart to adquire a 3 and D wing in Murray and a realible big in Valanciunas. The Kings decide to gave up on Murray before his up for an extension and get Hart a young PG IN Kolek to solve playmaking issues…

Starting 5 PG: Jalen Brunson SG: Dyson Daniels SF: Mikal Bridges PF: OG Anunoby C: Karl-Anthony Towns

6th: Josh Hart 7th: Mitchell Robinson 8th: Jake LaRavia 9th: Tyler Kolek…

Starting 5 PG: Jalen Brunson SG: Mikal Bridges SF: OG Anunoby PF: Karl-Anthony Towns C: Walker Kessler

6th: Josh Hart 7th: Mitchell Robinson 8th: Jake LaRavia 9th: Tyler Kolek DEPTH: Ariel Hukporti C, Kevin McCullar Jr. F, RJ Luis Jr. F (via NO SRP), Vet minimums to full out roster…

Before anything I know that the Wolves would not do this trade. This is only if the Wolves traded Donte Divincenzo to another team in a bigger trade (Like Kevin Durant or another big name) and the Knicks swoop in as a 3rd or 4th team to acquire Divincenzo. YES I know the Wolves themselves would not do this trade.

Potential Lineup PG: Jalen Brunson SG: Donte Divincenzo SF: Mikal Bridges PF: OG Anunoby C: Karl-Anthony Towns

6th: Josh Hart 7th: Walker Kessler 8th: Jake LaRavia 9th: Tyler Kolek DEPTH: Ariel Hukporti C, RJ Luis Jr F (via NO pick), Kevin McCullar Jr. F…