Knicks fans gonna call me crazy for this one but idc, I’ll explain why this move is gold for the Knicks last. Here’s to try to explain why heat and Houston does it first as I know both of ur fans will have more valid reasons to complain than Knicks.
Houston: ime wants dogs and they also want to make noise now. The great part about this Houston roster is that they r very, very deep and very good at top w the potential to be great. Guys like sengun, fvv, and Jalen green if he’s playing near the level he did in March can carry this team during the regular season to a top 8 spot, maybe even a top 6. Jimmy can then do what jimmy does in the playoffs while not having to be THE GUY during the regular season. The defense would also be insane w guys like eason and amen around jimmy. Losing Jabari sucks but Houston is so deep at the wing position they r gonna have to give one of their wings up soon as they just won’t be able to afford it(Eason, whitmore, tate, amen, then u also throw in jimmy). Jabari has pretty high value so this also means Houston does not give up any phoenix picks, saving them for another potential kd trade down the line.
Miami: this would most likely be a mid season trade where Miami realized that even w a healthy jimmy and bam this team is not winning anything, so they do the Miami move by trading for assets that will help them stay competitive while also allowing them to build for future. Now, is Jabari smith worth donte and 2 protected firsts which may or may not convey(they have until 2026 and 2027 I feel like one SHOULD convey). I think so donte is rly fucking good and he should fill into jimmys spot. Miami also rly likes bam and jovic and bringing in Jabari means jovic will move to the bench and not get any time to rly shine since Jabari is also young. Idk maybe this part is a stretch, as the Knicks I’d throw in a pick swap or some seconds if needed.
Now for the Knicks.
breaking up the nova 4 is crazy, but if Nova didn’t exist I believe donte would be by far the most talked about trade piece.
he’s coming off a career year but is now relegated to the bench. Dude is probably a top 10 sg in the league, the bench is way too low for him.
I also believe there r 2(non all star) players in this league who would complement the current Knicks perfect. These 2 players would allow the Knicks to play small ball 5 while not giving up shooting or making og/randle guard a 5. Those 2 players r naz Reid and Jabari smith. Naz Reid is untouchable so Jabari it is
Jabari would fit this Knicks team perfect, most likely backing up Randle at the 4 but also playing 15-20 min a game at centers w lineups like Brunson, Mikal, og, Randle, Jabari. Jabari is a 38% catch and shoot 3 or shooter on like 3-5 attempts per game, and he’s a switchable defender who can guard 5-3 well, and even not be a cone on 1s and 2s.
this also solves the McBride problem. Realistically, idgaf what Knicks fans try to say, there is not more than 15 min a night available to McBride for this current Knicks team. Just as Donte is too good to be a bench player, McBride is too good to be playing reserve minutes. McBride can now be the backup 1/2 and get 20-25 min a night as he should.
Starting 5: Brunson, Mikal, og, Randle, Mitch Bench: Payne/kolek, McBride, hart, Jabari, sims/precious Closing 5: Brunson, Mikal, Og, Randle, Jabari
Let me know my delusions rockets and heats fans. (if ur a Knicks fan tho like me this trade is amazing and if u hate I will not understand at all but I will try to make u understand)