The New York Knicks, when healthy and everything clicking, can and should be considered title contenders, but since winning the NBA Cup, that hasn’t been the case.
While questions remain on a potential Karl-Anthony Towns trade, Guerschon Yabusele’s uncertain future, and the overarching notion of New York going after Giannis Antetokounmpo (as he is now available in a trade based on reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania), the Knicks also have an upcoming game to focus on.
Set to play the Toronto Raptors on Monday night, regardless of all the trade talks, concerns about their roster, or anything else, it might be an uphill battle for New York against the team in Canada, as they are dealing with a few players listed on their injury report.
Knicks Injury News Before Raptors Game
Before tipoff, the Knicks have Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride listed as out for the game against the Raptors.
Robinson will simply be out due to rest. New York has taken a cautious approach with his minutes this season, and though he isn’t anything close to a big scoring threat, he is likely the most efficient rebounding big man in the league. In only 19.7 minutes per contest, Robinson is averaging 9.3 rebounds, which ranks 10th in the NBA.
McBride is sitting out due to ‘left ankle management.’ While New York has also taken a bit slower approach with his recovery, not rushing him back into a big workload, they’ll keep him out on the second night of a back-to-back, as he played 30 minutes in their Tuesday night win over the Sacramento Kings.
Additionally, Josh Hart is listed as questionable for the game against Toronto with right ankle soreness. That same injury has sidelined him at multiple points this season, and while he has played in their last four, like McBride, the Knicks could very well sit him in their second leg of the back-to-back.
Luckily for New York, they’ll have Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Towns, and the rest of their group for a contest against a surprisingly competitive Raptors team. If the Knicks lose, they’ll drop behind Toronto in the Eastern Conference standings.
Knicks Giannis Trade Rumors
New York was the first time linked to Antetokounmpo, as was reported by Charania back in October, and that remains the case now in late January. All signs point to them, the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and a few others, all in the mix for the two-time Finals MVP.
Inside the clouds leaving Giannis’ future hanging in the balance:
However, the question everyone wants to know is what they would have to give up for the superstar.
If they are serious about a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks for Antetokounmpo, it won’t come easy. At the least, New York would have to give up Towns, McBride, Yabusele, Tyler Kolek (or another player of his caliber), along with their three first-round swaps and next first-round pick to get back the Greek Freak and likely Kyle Kuzma, too.
That package is difficult to compete with when the Bucks hear the offers from the Warriors, Heat, and Spurs, but if Antetokounmpo wants the Knicks, it’s hard to see that not happening.
New York could also do a different deal that includes Towns and either Bridges or Anunoby, as Milwaukee has a line of suitors out the door, so the Knicks are likely going to have to ‘overpay’ to have any shot at landing the hottest trade commodity in recent NBA memory.
It will come down to how much Leon Rose, James Dolan, and the rest of the decision-makers want to overhaul this roster to have the chance to pair Antetokounmpo with Brunson.
If they can’t make anything work, the possibility of them trading Yabusele for another piece is only growing, a small consolation, yet not the grand prize they wanted.
Knicks Get Bad Injury News For Raptors Game As Giannis Trade Talks Continue