Proposed Trade Package Lands Knicks Former All-Star

Getty

Mitchell Robinson playing defense for the New York Knicks.

The surging New York Knicks, who are 9-2 since acquiring OG Anunoby in late December, are in the market for another high-level player before the NBA’s February 8 trade deadline.

Among the biggest names who could be available is former All-Star Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks.

Asserting that the Hawks will not move Murray unless their high price is met and do not feel they have to trade him before the deadline, SNY’s Ian Begley suggested the Knicks could offer center Mitchell Robinson straight up for Murray — if the Hawks lower their price, because Murray is making $21.6 million a year compared with $15.6 million for Robinson.

The Knicks view Murray as “a strong fit” next to Jalen Brunson, according to Begley. But, he noted, New York was hesitant to give up Robinson, who is pulling down a career-best 10.3 rebounds in 21 starts this season but is out for at least six to eight weeks.

Hawks’ Asking Price for Dejounte Murray

The Hawks are seeking at least two first-round picks, according to a January 22 column Marc Stein.

However, “the Knicks probably would be hesitant to give Atlanta their own first-round picks in a trade,” Begley wrote, even though New York has eight first-rounders over the next four drafts. “In any trade they make at the deadline, the Knicks want to have enough draft capital left over to pursue a top player via trade in the offseason or during 2024-25.”

Numerous teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, are considered suitors for Murray at the trade deadline, with the Lakers and the Hawks engaging in “pretty extensive conservations” before hitting a roadblock, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

“The Lakers and Hawks did have some pretty extensive conversations about a trade a couple of weeks ago, centered around D’Angelo Russell, a 2029 first-round draft pick and a pick swap,” Charania said during a January 22 appearance on FanDuel’s “Run It Back.” “The holdup was that Atlanta wanted to find a third team for D’Angelo Russell. He’s got a player option for next season, and they want to find a spot where they might be able to get an expiring contract back. I would expect the sides to circle back as we get closer to the February trade deadline.”

The Knicks Prefer Not to Trade Mitchell Robinson

With the Knicks in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, just a half-game out of fourth place, as of January 23, the Knicks appear reluctant to part with Robinson, one of the best center in the East when healthy.

In early January, an Action Network story shot down the idea of Robinson as potential trade bait for Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns, whom the Knicks “will always have interest in,” according to Charania.

“Notably, the Knicks have no intention of including the injured Mitchell Robinson, even if he were healthy,” Action Network’s Matt Moore wrote on January 4. Robinson is out another 6-8 weeks before being re-evaluated, with speculation that he could miss the rest of the season. Multiple sources said the Knicks have indicated they want to start Towns next to Robinson, similar to how the Wolves have had what come considered surprising success with Towns next to [Rudy] Gobert.”