Knicks trade idea lands ideal frontcourt running mate for Karl-Anthony Towns

The New York Knicks still feel like a piece away from truly contending for an NBA title.

After their best season in 25 years, the Knicks should enter the offseason feeling good about their chances in this Eastern Conference, but the Tom Thibodeau firing suggests there are more moves in store.

One of those could involve Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., whom members of New York’s front office have long been interested in, according to Kris Pursiainen of ClutchPoints.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps also reported that Memphis has no intention of trading one of its franchise cornerstones, but this is also the NBA, and nothing is ever off the table.

Here is what the Knicks could offer to lure Jackson Jr. north:

Knicks receive: F Jaren Jackson Jr.

Grizzlies receive: G/F Mikal Bridges, G Miles McBride, 2026 1st Round Pick

Jackson Jr. will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season, and Memphis wants to lock him into a long-term deal. But, they also just traded Desmond Bane for four first-rounders and could look to really switch things up.

New York offering Bridges, a mid-range wizard with excellent defensive versatility, and a young, promising guard in McBride, plus another first, could be enough for the Grizzlies to part with Jackson Jr.

A career 35.1% three-point shooter and one of the top defensive bigs in the league, Jackson Jr. would make for a formidable frontcourt duo with Karl-Anthony Towns. Jackson Jr. is an elite rim protector and would provide Towns with far fewer responsibilities on that end of the court.

Offensively, their spacing and pick-and-pop abilities in the Jalen Brunson pick-and-roll game would wreak havoc on opponents.