Having lost Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a three-year, $87 million deal, the New York Knicks are in need of additional support at the center position. Mitchell Robinson remains their primary starter, but relying on him is risky due to his injury history.
Robinson’s Injury Concerns and Contract Situation
Robinson, 26, has played over 70 games just once in his career and featured in only 31 games last season. He averaged 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and shot .575 from the field. While Robinson is an elite defensive player, his inconsistency and injury history are concerning. He was sidelined after one playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving the Knicks thin against the Pacers.
For the upcoming season, Robinson has a $14.3 million cap hit and a $12.9 million cap hit for the 2025–26 season. Moving Robinson wouldn’t be much of a salary dump; it would be a strategic swap of assets with an eye on the future.
Exploring Trade Options with the Detroit Pistons
There may be an opportunity for the Knicks to connect with the Detroit Pistons, who could benefit from more experience and scoring potential next season.
Mock Trade Proposal:
**Pistons receive:** Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride, a 2025 first-round pick (via Detroit), and multiple future second-round picks.
**Knicks receive:** Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey.
Assessing the Trade Components
This proposal is intriguing as the Knicks would trade Miles McBride along with Robinson, a 2025 first-round pick, and several second-round picks.
McBride is on one of the best contracts in basketball for his value. Earning $13 million over three years, McBride averaged 8.3 points last season, including 1.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and shot .452 from the field and .410 from downtown. In the playoffs, he averaged 11 points and shot .435 from the field. Additionally, McBride is a solid defensive asset, enhancing his value.
Potential Benefits of Acquiring Duren and Ivey
In return, the Knicks would receive Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren, two players with significant upside. Duren, 20, is particularly attractive due to his rebounding prowess.
Over 61 games last season for Detroit, Duren averaged 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. At such a young age, he has the potential to be a tremendous asset for a team like New York, which is aiming for a championship next season and would benefit from another physical presence inside.
Duren will count $4.5 million against the cap next season and has a $6.5 million cap hit for the 2025–26 season via a club option. With two more years of cost-efficient control, Duren would likely provide even more value than Robinson.
Ivey, on the other hand, averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists last season over 77 games. Both players have played a minimum of 60 games for two consecutive years, showcasing their reliability. Ivey shot .429 from the field and .336 from downtown, indicating some room for improvement in scoring efficiency. However, at only 21, he offers substantial potential off the bench. Ivey has an $8 million hit this upcoming season and a $10.1 million cap hit for the 2025–26 campaign via a club option.
Strategic Considerations for the Knicks
For the Pistons, acquiring Robinson and McBride, who is on an efficient deal, along with multiple draft picks, including a first-rounder next year, would provide more room to develop their squad. Adding experience and offensive production would be ideal if they aim to build around Cade Cunningham.
From the Knicks’ perspective, some may view this as an overpay, but Duren’s long-term potential is fantastic, and the Knicks may be able to maximize his quality.
