Knicks Linked to Wizard Trade

The New York Knicks and Washington Wizards could be trade partners soon.

Jeremy Brener | Aug 6, 2024

Apr 7, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) controls the ball against New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (45) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks didn't sign New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas this offseason. Instead, the Washington Wizards did. However, Valanciunas will be eligible for a trade within the next few months, and once he can be dealt, the Knicks could be a candidate.

Heavy.com reporter Sean Deveney has been told that the Knicks could be a trade partner for the Wizards in a Valanciunas deal.

“The Knicks, we’ll see how their center spot develops,” one NBA exec told Heavy Sports last month, adding the Lakers as a contender for his services. “The Warriors, if the (Lauri) Markkanen thing does not work out.”

Valanciunas, 32, signed a three-year, $30.295 million contract with the Wizards last month, but as a rebuilding team, Washington could look to move on from him quickly.

"It is a really smart signing because it got him paid at a time when there were just not that many spots available. It's musical chairs and if you do not get one of the first slots now with the new rules, you're screwed," the executive said via Deveney. "There's not as much flexibility. But this gets you paid, and the team paying you can say, 'Hey, we'll get you to a contender when the time comes.'"

So, the Wizards should be able to land a decent amount of value in return for a small signing, but could that package come from the Knicks?

The Knicks won't be able to trade for Valanciunas until Dec. 15, the date for newly-signed players to be eligible for a trade. They have some future draft capital to trade, but a player like Miles McBride could be on the Wizards' radar, or someone like rookie Tyler Kolek. It might be too pricey to make a deal for Valanciunas, but the Knicks should make a call come December to see if he is still available.

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Published Aug 6, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.