What the Knicks should do in the market to win the NBA

The New York Knicks are once again among the contenders in the East, but making the definitive leap to the title requires addressing a very specific weakness: reliability at the center position. The team has a solid structure without evident deficiencies, but the dependence on Mitchell Robinson remains as pronounced as in the last playoffs. His impact is visible in the data: the team's overall performance significantly improves when he is on the court, while alternatives diminish the team's efficiency noticeably. All this with no room in the NBA market and the situation with Giannis Antetokounmpo very complicated.

The comparison speaks volumes. With Robinson as the interior reference, the Knicks exhibit a +15.2 net rating, a number that drops to +7.0 when Karl-Anthony Towns takes on the center position. In small-ball situations with Guerschon Yabusele, the margin decreases to +3.2, and the impact plummets to -11.6 when Ariel Hukporti plays the center role. The theory suggested that Yabusele could be that third center capable of protecting the team in minutes without Robinson, but his adaptation has been limited, with very low production in his role.

The problem worsens due to the team's contractual structure drastically reducing their maneuvering space. The roster concentrates 84 percent of salary space in the contracts of Towns, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, complicating the arrival of reinforcements without disposing of an important piece. Additionally, the Knicks are slightly below the second apron and cannot take on more salary in a trade, further limiting their options.

Available assets are also not abundant. They lack first-round picks to trade and their most valuable piece in the market is Robinson's expiring contract, along with the possibility to swap first-round picks in 2026, 2030, and 2032, plus eight second-round picks. A viable move would be to find a trade that matches short-term salaries but introduces financial commitment in the 2026-27 season, potentially subjecting the team to the second apron once the roster is complete. Another more modest option involves moving Pacome Dadiet along with part of the available cash, creating enough space to add two players without surpassing the imposed limit.

The reality is that the Knicks do not seem prepared for a major operation. The lack of flexibility and the contractual weight of their top six players make significant changes before the trade deadline unlikely. In the NBA, nothing is ever ruled out, especially after the impact of Luka Doncic's trade last February, but currently the most realistic scenario is for New York to move forward with the current squad and trust in Robinson's health and the continuity of the plan that has led them to compete.

Improvement in Interior Play

To take a step forward, the Knicks need a reliable guarantee behind Robinson or to keep him healthy throughout the season. Their defensive structure depends on it, as does their ability to compete at the highest level. With such limited operating space, their most likely approach will be continuity and hope that the stability of the squad compensates for the lack of major moves.

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