Knicks and Nets Trade Deadline Primer: New York will have competition in backup center market

The NBA trade deadline is on Thursday at 3 p.m.. So the clock is winding down for the Knicks and Nets if they want to get a deal done.

With that in mind, here is a trade deadline primer for the local teams:

BIG TARGET?

The Knicks have talked to teams about their big men in the weeks/days leading up to the trade deadline. In addition to Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas, the Knicks also checked in on Guerschon Yabusele in Philadelphia and Daniel Theis in New Orleans, per people familiar with the matter.

It’s worth noting here that Mitchell Robinson cleared a big hurdle on Monday when he was cleared for full contact. Robinson still has to clear several hurdles before he returns to the lineup. He would then presumably need a few weeks to get into game shape/condition.

Given that uncertainty, I assume the Knicks will continue to pursue centers via trade. They will have competition in that market. The Lakers are in the market for a center in the wake of the Anthony Davis trade. Denver has also checked in on backup big men, per people familiar with the matter.

As far as trading Robinson, the Knicks would probably get a paltry return. The uncertainty surrounding his health diminishes his trade market. I’d be surprised if the Knicks moved Robinson for a low return. It doesn’t seem like a move the front office has the appetite for.

An aside on the Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade -- there has been plenty of reporting on Dallas’ concerns with Doncic’s conditioning habits. With Doncic eligible for a super max contract, the Mavs also had concerns about how his body would recover/respond to heavy minutes as he got older. Doncic is 25 years old. He would be 31 at the end of a super max extension with Dallas. I don’t mention that as a justification for the trade. Just another aspect that entered the Mavs’ thinking. Also, Golden State is among the teams who have checked in with Philadelphia on Paul George. The Warriors reportedly are aggressive in their pursuit of a star.

I still think the Knicks will find a new home for Jericho Sims by the deadline. Sims, a pending free agent, could be traded straight up for Yabusele. But Philadelphia holds Yabusele in high regard and would likely want more in return. 

WHAT ABOUT THE 15th SPOT?

If the Knicks’ team salary remains the same after the deadline, they can sign a veteran - like T.J. Warren and Chuma Okeke of the Westchester Knicks or a free agent like Chris Duarte - as early as March 1, according to Yossi Gozlan (Gozlan does an excellent job breaking down all salary cap angles on his YouTube page). They have a roster spot open to add that player.

ANY TRADE RESTRICTIONS?

Landry Shamet cannot be traded. Ariel Hukporti cannot be traded before Wednesday. Precious Achiuwa waived his right to veto any trade when he re-signed with the Knicks.

The Knicks can trade the Washington Wizards' first-round pick that they own (likely to convert into two second-round picks). They can also trade first-round pick swaps in 2026 and 2030.

New York’s team salary is above the first apron. So the Knicks cannot sign a player who is bought out and had a previous salary of $12.8 million or more. The Knicks also can’t use the $3.9 million trade exception they created from moving Malachi Flynn last year.

One note on Achiuwa: the Knicks will have his Bird Rights this summer, so they will be able to sign him to a deal as long as five years and worth as much as the veteran maximum. I’m not suggesting they would do that. I only point that out to note that the Knicks will have avenues to re-sign Achiuwa this summer but they may have to exceed the second apron to do so. 

NETS SET?

Every Net outside of Trendon Watford can be traded (Watford has veto rights on any trade).

The Nets’ biggest trade chip is Cam Johnson. Teams monitoring the situation this week didn’t think anyone would make an offer strong enough to acquire Johnson. Another name to watch is Day’Ron Sharpe.

The Clippers are among the teams who’ve done background work on Sharpe, who will be a free agent this summer. I don’t know if the Nets and Clippers have had advanced talks on Sharpe, but I can safely assume teams will continue to call Brooklyn about the 23-year-old big man.

Brooklyn can trade up to 12 first-round picks right now. But the club will hold onto that war chest for the offseason. De’Aaron Fox would have been an offseason target for them if Sacramento held onto the star point guard. Obviously, you can cross him off the list. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the dream acquisition for Brooklyn (as he is for nearly every NBA team; the Nets aren’t the only team operating at the deadline with an eye on a possible Antetokounmpo trade. Obviously Antetokounmpo has to force a trade from Milwaukee for this to be a remote possibility). As is always the case, other stars who aren’t being discussed now will become available in the offseason.

A FEW OTHER TRADE NOTES

The Lakers and Clippers had Malcolm Brogdon on their radar last month. It’s unknown how Brogdon’s injury affects their interest. Brogdon has been out with a foot injury.

The Cavs may move a player at the deadline to get under a luxury tax. They have signaled to teams that they have no interest in moving Georges Niang to get under that tax. They have other avenues to shed salary, of course.

The Raptors have a deal lined up to send one of their players into cap space if the need arises.