Knicks blockbuster trade idea swaps 7-foot center for ex-Warriors four-time NBA champion

The New York Knicks’ current roster is among the most talented in the NBA. 

Although the Knicks' championship hopes were dashed in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, they possess a solid foundation that should keep them in title contention for the foreseeable future. 

That said, Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell recently proposed a blockbuster trade that would give the organization a new-look squad as the 2025-26 season approaches. 

In the trade, the Knicks would swap a 7-foot center for a former Golden State Warriors guard who won four rings alongside Stephen Curry.

“The Knicks hired Mike Brown to be their new head coach and made some good bench moves to give them depth, signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele,” Caudell wrote last Friday.

“They have one of the best starting lineups in the NBA, but they had their flaws last season, especially with the defensive duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.”

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

“While they paid a big price to get Towns last offseason, could they perhaps upgrade at the position and get more depth to round out the team? (Daniel) Gafford would be a great fit in this role and improve their protection around the rim.”

“(P.J.) Washington and (Klay) Thompson would make the Knicks arguably the deepest team in the Eastern Conference and perhaps the NBA. They fix their two main issues from last season with a big swing.”

The Knicks would receive Thompson, Gafford, and Washington, the Dallas Mavericks would receive Towns and Vit Krejci, and the Atlanta Hawks would receive Caleb Martin and two future second-round picks in Caudell's three-team trade proposal.

Although Thompson isn’t improving with age, his reliable three-point jumper remains a noticeable strength for the 35-year-old. 

Thompson, who set the NBA record for made three-pointers in a game with the Warriors in 2018 (14), has yet to shoot below 38% from deep in a season.

The Washington product averaged 14.0 points per game with the Mavericks last season, shooting 41.2% from the field and 39.1% three-point shooting. 

If the Knicks conclude that Towns isn’t an asset they must retain to secure their first championship since 1973, the franchise could soon execute Caudell’s thought-provoking trade idea.

More NBA: Lakers sign 6-foot-3 former Celtics star guard, DPOY to appease Luka Doncic