After watching the victory against the 76ers, it felt incredibly telling that the Knicks played their best with Mitch on the court and also benched KAT to start the 4th quarter and Hukporti played meaningful minutes in his stead. Yes, he was dealing with foul trouble but it still felt like something big was happening. There were reports that the Knicks reached out to the Magic (or the other way around, there were a lot of conflicting reports) and this was one of the frameworks that was speculated. I tweaked it a bit and will go into the team by team below. I'll also add that draft picks would probably be involved but I have no idea on the trade value of several of the players involved so I'm copping out and not including that portion.

Pelicans: The Pelicans piece is the most straighforward. They're reportedly open to trading Alvarado and the Knicks want to trade Yabu. So Yabu (and some second rounders) would likely go to the Pelicans. Alvarado has seen his minutes decrease and since he has a player option next season, they decide to get some draft equity while they can.

Magic: The Magic are a tough team to play and are a tough matchup for anyone. Still, their 3 point shooting, while improved, feels like a work in progress. Adding KAT would give them one of the best 3 point shooting big men ever and they have enough great defenders to cover for him. They could even do some double big lineups with Wendell Carter as well. I also have them receiving Alvarado as he would replace Jones as the backup PG. Jones has not worked out on the Magic and Alvarado gives them a strong defensive player who can run the second unit. They also get Kolek, a young guard who can distribute well and is on a cheap contract and Clarkson who can heat up from 3 as well. Finally, they get Dadiet, mostly for salary matching purposes but he could be a project on a team that's done a good job of developing young players. Basically, they add some solid 3 point shooters while upgrading their backup and 3rd string PG spot. I still don't think they do this as Isaac has been solid for them and is on a relatively affordable contract and Suggs has been great for them as well. But they both have had injury troubles and they might feel more comfortable getting players with less sketchy injury histories. Goga is a good player but is also their 3rd string center and will be expendable when Mo Wagner comes back (I don't see the Magic letting Franz's brother go).

Knicks: As I said above, it feels like KAT's time on the Knicks may be coming to an end. I do want to note that it's possible the Knicks need to attach the Washington FRP that's protected and will likely turn into 2 second rounder and maybe a pick swap because everyone in the league is watching this play out and that hurts both KAT's trade value and the Knicks leverage. But from a basketball standpoint, this would make the Knicks a deeper team and could really boost them if Suggs and Isaac can stay healthy (those are pretty big ifs though considering their injury histories). But Suggs is an incredible defender and could start alongside Brunson and give the Knicks the point of attack defender the Knicks have been missing. Goga is a great backup center and rebounds and scores well. Isaac isn't a big scorer but is a great defender and would fit in well on the second unit. Finally, the Knicks would hope that Jones regains his form as he's been good in the past. Taking his contract instead of Alvarado's is part of the cost for getting Suggs basically. I also would like the mentality that Suggs especially would bring to the Knicks as he's the fiery and intense personality the Knicks have been missing. Bitadze is also a tough player and I like what I've seen of Isaac's mentality as well (although I'll confess that I've seen him the least). Losing Kolek would be a bummer but again, it's part of the cost due to KAT's value plummeting. Still, I like this depth chart and if they keep playing well with Mitch as the starting center (and I've liked what I've seen of Hukporti in his meaningful minutes and Isaacs may be able to step in as well). The Knicks will be at 13 players and will need to sign at least one more player but could hopefully get someone on the buyout market or convert McCullar and/or Jones, their new two-way player.

PG: Brunson, Jones

SG: Suggs, Deuce

SF: Bridges, Hart, Shamet

PF: Anunoby, Isaacs, Diawara

C: Mitch, Bitadze, Hukporti