With a 112-101 loss to the Kings on Wednesday, the Knicks are 25-15 this season. That’s second in the Eastern Conference. New York is 4-6 in its last 10 games.
The 2025-26 NBA trade deadline is Thursday, February 5. New York’s front office has exactly three weeks to scour the market for a trade piece. Recently, NBA insider Sam Amico had details on the type of player the Knicks want to add. He noted New York is “prioritizing a player who can handle the ball and defend.”
New York wants to add a quality player ahead of the deadline
The New York Knicks are in the market for a player who can handle the ball and defend, per @AmicoHoops
“League sources indicate New York is prioritizing a player who can handle the ball and defend, with additional chatter about adding a reliable third-string big as insurance… pic.twitter.com/d91c20mByY
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 15, 2026
As of Thursday, January 15, the Knicks are in solid shape. Their 25-15 record is second in the East and only four games back from the Pistons. New York made a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2025 playoffs. However, they fell short and lost to the Pacers. The Knicks’ front office wants to ensure that won’t happen again in 2026. NBA insider Sam Amico reported that the Knicks have a specific type of player in mind. He noted the team is “prioritizing a player who can handle the ball and defend.” Who fits that player profile that the Knicks can afford?
First, it’s known that the Knicks are operating roughly $150,000 below the second apron. That limits what the team can do on the trade market. Sam Amico said that core pieces of the roster are not expected to be traded. This includes depth pieces like Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson. Over the weekend, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that New York’s Guerschon Yabusele is available for trade ahead of the deadline.
Knicks need to trade For P. Achiuwa and get rid of yabasule.
— phillip (@realfowlkes) January 15, 2026
Yabusele signed a two-year, $11.3 million deal with the Knicks. Unfortunately, the veteran forward has struggled with New York and has fallen out of Mike Brown’s rotation. Marc Stein added that second-year pro Pacome Dadiet is another realistic trade piece for the Knicks. With limited flexibility, who would the Knicks trade for?
Just Edwards III of The Athletic mentioned Miami’s Siome Fontecchio as a possible salary match for the Knicks. He is on a two-year, $16 million contract with the Heat. That’s roughly in the ballpark of Guerschon Yabusele’s contract with New York. The Knicks cannot afford to trade for a high-level player if they’re unwilling to trade core pieces of the roster. We’ll wait and see if the Knicks make a trade happen ahead of the 2025-26 deadline.
