3 trades the Knicks could make to solidify their title hopes without a broken roster

The New York Knicks they obviously need something. They recently lost a game to the Sacramento Kings 112-101—a game where a lack of effort was the clear reason for their loss.

though, Jalen Branson played only five minutes due to an ankle injury suffered early in the first quarter, but the Knicks should have been more competitive. And while a lack of effort is the main theme, the team needs to strengthen its frontcourt and potentially add depth elsewhere as well.

So how can the Knicks address their shortcomings? The trade deadline is just a few weeks away. New York, like many other teams, is likely working the phones to figure out who is available and who opposing teams might be interested in on their roster.

For starters, the Knicks will reportedly consider trading second-year forward Pakome Dadiet. They will also be looking to move on from Gershon Yabusele. Both players have been missing so far this season.

That being said, what New York can return for one or both is highly questionable. They may need to include draft capital to sweeten the deal. But the roughly $8.3 million the two players combine to earn can likely return some value — preferably a frontcourt player.

Another note, New York is not able to return more money than it sends out as a first team. It’s also about $150,000 off the second apron. Still, there are a few creative options, assuming New York wants to make a minor upgrade.

Adding Chris Boucher could be just what the Knicks need

Before we go too far, let’s state the obvious. A deal between the Boston Celtics and the Knicks is unlikely, especially considering how well the Celtics have played without Jayson Tatum. Boucher has been relegated to a smaller role than he’s been accustomed to since joining Boston last offseason, and his expiring $3.3 million contract is more than manageable.

A trade for Boucher, who fits what the Knicks need in terms of defense and energy, likely requires a third team because moving Boucher would be a way for the Celtics to shed salary. If sending Dadieto, salary and a second-round pick works out, the Knicks should seriously consider this.

Ousmane Dieng would be an interesting short-term loan

Oklahoma City Thunder could ask to move Ousmane Dieng, according to ESPN. If that’s the case, the Knicks should at least see what it would cost to cut him.

Dieng’s opportunities have been limited on an incredibly deep Thunder team, but he has shown flashes when given the opportunity. For example, Dieng has averaged 8.8 points in 16.8 minutes in his last four games — dating back to early December.

Dieng’s length and athleticism make the idea of ​​taking a flyer on him at least palatable. He showed good instincts and the ability to move his feet. He obviously needs to bulk up, but he’s still only 22 years old.

Dieng should be extended after this season. And that could mean the Knicks either lose him for nothing or pay to keep him. But it’s more than worth it if he helps the team secure a championship. Ultimately, Dieng is probably worse than Boucher, but he might be able to play a more consistent role than Yabusele, and he would almost certainly be more impactful than Dadiet.

This isn’t the first time ClutchPoints has mentioned Marvin Bagley as a potential trade target for the Knicks — and who knows if there’s any real interest. But Bagley checks a lot of boxes.

At 6-foot-10, he’s big enough to play center. He scores and rebounds well enough, averaging 10 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in just 19.4 minutes of action. But Bagley isn’t ideal, especially next to Karl-Anthony Towns. The frontcourt of Towns and Bagley would struggle to stop defensively.

Still, the addition of Bagley could provide an occasional spark. And playing him in minutes at the spot next to Mitchell Robinson could work, especially given Bagley’s improved 3-point shooting this season (41.2% on 0.5 attempts per game). While less than ideal, Bagley represents another player who could play a regular role in the team’s rotation. That’s more than Dadiet or Yabusele are currently doing.

The Knicks should seriously consider making a move. They could use some help upfront, and a spark would obviously be welcome. Who they end up adding is the biggest question about the team over the next few weeks, and what they can do could very well dictate what they can accomplish in the 2026 playoffs.