December 15th unofficially kicks off the NBA trade season, as free agents signed in the offseason now become eligible for trades. Rumors are already swirling, with the New York Knicks at the center of many of them. Clutch Point’s Kris Prussiainen recently reported that the Knicks have shown interest in players like Donte DiVincenzo and Jose Alvarado, while ESPN 1320’s James Ham mentioned Dennis Schroder as another target. DiVincenzo remains a fan favorite, possibly having the best single-season career in Knicks history, while Alvarado and Schroder are known for their dependable defense, making them logical trade targets.
A significant factor in these rumors is the salary aspect: DiVincenzo earns $12 million, and Schroder $14 million. To bring one of these players on board, the Knicks would likely need to release half of their bench or trade a key player to match those salaries.
Mitchell Robinson, the longest-tenured player under Knicks president Leon Rose, has been a major influence during multiple playoff runs. However, this is the final year of his contract, and the Knicks have not agreed to an extension yet. Historically, the Knicks tend to trade players in similar contract situations before they reach free agency. Although this time might be different, concerns about Robinson’s health and defensive decline complicate the situation, with his salary being the only one that aligns with the possible trade targets. This raises the question: Are the Knicks preparing to trade Robinson, and should they?
No concrete evidence from trade reports confirms this, especially since the Knicks rarely pull off midseason trades without being fully committed to a target. Moreover, rumors of interest from other teams could drive up Robinson’s value in future talks. New York might want offseason flexibility and could even re-sign Robinson as soon as this summer. Despite his struggles this season, he has been highly effective in the playoffs and remains a strong offensive presence.
The matching salary figures between Robinson and potential trade acquisitions complicate any trade deal and could involve bringing other teams into the mix. Alternatively, the Knicks might just be showing interest without intending to part ways with Robinson.
There are legitimate concerns about Robinson’s health as he hasn’t completed a 60-game season since 2022 and has been limited this year. His defensive impact has dropped significantly, and the Knicks allow more points per 100 possessions with him on the floor compared to when he is off. Despite this, he remains a dominant rebounder and the best backup center option. Without Robinson, the Knicks lack reliable big men like Gershon Yabusele, Ariel Hakpolti, and Trey Jemison III.
Trading him could leave a gap that the Knicks might fill with another move. A possible trade package involving Robinson and players like Yabusele or Pacome Dadiet for DiVincenzo, Schroder, and a draft pick might bring enough added value to shake up team chemistry and prevent free-agent departures. Whether this trade makes sense depends on who the Knicks have available and their needs on both offense and defense.
If DiVincenzo joins, the Knicks would gain his shooting and creativity, along with the excitement and energy that a reunion could bring to the city. Schroder, on the other hand, offers reliable ball handling and solid defense. However, failing to adequately replace Robinson in the frontcourt would make such trades riskier. The Knicks might believe in players like Yabusele and Hakpolti or hope to sign additional big men like Daniel Gafford or Jalen Smith.
Given Robinson’s game-changing potential in the playoffs, even modest upgrades on paper might not justify trading him during a championship run. More likely, the Knicks are just exploring all possible options to enhance their playoff prospects.
Any actual trades will probably resemble what we’ve seen so far. The Knicks lack the trade assets and flexibility to risk upsetting their current 17-7 standing as contenders for the NBA title. But in this unpredictable league and with a franchise hungry for its first championship in 50 years, anything could happen. Expect more rumors between now and February, but don’t overinterpret them unless a deal actually happens.
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Fan Take: This trade speculation is crucial for basketball fans because it highlights the delicate balance between maintaining team chemistry and making bold moves to chase a title. For the Knicks and their fans, the decisions made now could shape the future of the franchise and impact the competitive landscape of the NBA.
