With Tom Thibodeau no longer at the helm of the New York Knicks, significant changes to the roster appear likely as the team prepares for the upcoming offseason. Josh Hart has emerged as a leading potential trade candidate as the franchise evaluates its roster and plans for a new head coach.
Basketball analyst Dan Favale of Bleacher Report identified Hart as the most probable player to be moved if the Knicks engage in major trade discussions this summer. The arrival of a new coach is expected to bring a shift in strategy, potentially leading to roster adjustments that could include Hart.
Josh Hart Positioned as Most Probable Trade Asset
According to Favale, any meaningful offseason moves by the Knicks will necessitate trading one of their top six players, narrowing the options mainly to Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson.
If the New York Knicks are going to do anything substantial this offseason, it will require parting with one of their top six players,
Favale wrote.
Process of elimination narrows it down to Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson…Hart wins out over Robinson because he’s making $6.5 million more ($19.5 million versus $13 million), but also because he’s less of an anomaly. Nobody else on the roster brings Robinson’s combination of size, interior deterrence, offensive rebounding and (when healthy) mobility.
—Dan Favale, Bleacher Report
Hart’s style of play closely aligned with former coach Thibodeau’s system, making his future on the Knicks uncertain as new leadership takes over. In the 77 games Hart played last season, he posted averages of 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 52.5% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range—all figures that suggest he could have value for other teams.
Interest in Jaren Jackson Jr. Could Drive Trade Discussions
Trade talks may also be influenced by the Knicks’ reported interest in acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr., a prominent player with strong defensive credentials. According to Kris Pursiainen of ClutchPoints, members of the Knicks’ front office have maintained long-standing interest in Jackson Jr., who could potentially be part of a trade package that includes Mikal Bridges.
Sources familiar with the situation tell ClutchPoints that at least one key member of the Knicks’ front office has long been interested in Jackson Jr. as a trade target,
Pursiainen reported.
The Knicks’ acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns last offseason didn’t nullify this interest, either. League sources say that a Jackson Jr. and Karl-Anthony Towns frontcourt would be a ‘dream’ pairing for New York in their starting lineup.
—Kris Pursiainen, ClutchPoints
Jackson Jr. has been recognized as a former Defensive Player of the Year and selected twice for the All-Defense First Team. His potential pairing with Karl-Anthony Towns could give the Knicks a formidable interior duo reminiscent of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ frontcourt combination of Towns and Rudy Gobert.
Mike Malone Suggested as Ideal Coaching Replacement
The Knicks need to appoint a head coach before engaging in significant trade moves, and former Knicks center DeAndre Jordan has recommended Mike Malone for the role. Malone, a championship-winning coach, is believed to bring a fresh perspective and could refine the team’s rotation and system.
Being up there from New York area and that swagger, that competitive nature that he has paired up with those guys could be a really good situation. I think he’s a breath of fresh air at times. And, I guess that’s what those guys need right now in the moment. He’s proven he can win a championship, especially with good players in the system…I think they could really do something. Especially with him being the best coach out there that they can actually hire.
—DeAndre Jordan, former Knicks center
Despite Malone’s qualifications, there has yet to be a direct connection between him and the Knicks’ coaching vacancy. Fans and analysts agree that hiring a new coach is vital to shaping the roster moves and overall strategy moving forward.
Upcoming Decisions Could Redefine Knicks Roster
The Knicks stand at a crossroads as leadership transitions away from Thibodeau, with a coaching hire expected to set the tone for roster decisions. Josh Hart’s potential trade status highlights how pivotal the offseason will be in reshaping the team’s makeup.
Interest in players like Jaren Jackson Jr. signals that the front office is considering strategic trades to bolster the squad. The choice of a new head coach will likely influence these moves heavily, as the team seeks to build a competitive core around stars such as Karl-Anthony Towns.