Knicks Weigh Major Trade Ahead of Deadline – Big-Money Move Could Reach $45 Million in Outgoing Salary
New York, NY — As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the New York Knicks are increasingly being linked to a potential high-stakes roster shake-up, with league sources suggesting the front office is open to discussing a major deal involving significant salary and rotation impact.
According to executives around the league, New York could explore a package built around Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson, a move that would represent approximately $44–45 million in combined outgoing salary. The framework would allow the Knicks to pursue either a high-level star upgrade or multiple impact contributors while maintaining long-term flexibility.
Randle remains one of the Knicks’ most productive players, but his contract size, usage, and fit questions in high-leverage playoff moments have made him a frequent subject of league-wide speculation. Robinson, meanwhile, is an elite defensive center when healthy, though his injury history and cap hit make him a logical inclusion in any major restructuring deal.
League insiders believe New York’s front office would only consider such a move if it returned a clear top-tier piece or a combination of a primary scorer and draft assets, rather than a lateral swap. A realistic return could include an All-Star–caliber player or a near-star plus future first-round picks, depending on the trade partner.
The Knicks’ strong asset base, combined with their willingness to take on salary for the right fit, positions them as one of the more dangerous teams on the trade market. President Leon Rose has consistently emphasized patience, but rival executives note that New York is “closer than ever” to pushing its chips in.
If the Knicks do move forward with a deal approaching $45 million in outgoing money, it would signal a decisive step away from incremental changes and toward a win-now swing — one designed to elevate the franchise deeper into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
