Trade Deadline Mini-Mailbag: Part II

We're keeping Deadline Day Eve going with some more of your questions.

Good (checks watch) afternoon! Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for these mini-newsletter and apologies in advance that I won’t be able to get to all of them. I promise I love you all, even if I don’t get to your submission.

If anyone is near an electronic device, come check me out with Ian Begley and BOTP, live on SNY’s YouTube channel at 1 pm today:

Also, a quick correction: the pick swap the Bucks sent to Washington is only for picks 15-30. Portland already owns swap rights if the pick is between 1-14.

Trade Deadline Mini-Mailbag: Part II

First question of MMB 2.0 comes from MB, appropriately enough:

Realistically, if Sims is the only move, what can we get for him? Also, why is Jalen Brunson so good at basketball?

Let me answer the second part first: the basketball gods owed us one after two decades in the toilet.

As for Sims…

I may be misreading the situation, but I view Sims as a negative asset, even on an expiring minimum contract. Or at least that’s how I’d view it if I was a team negotiating with them.

Think about it: every rumor has the Knicks in the market for a backup big man to sure up the fort in case Mitch isn’t healthy. Sims, in theory, should be able to fill that role, and yet he’s not only the one they’re trying to get rid of, but he just got replaced in the rotation by a rookie.

What team would possibly view him as an upgrade over their current big man rotation, even as a depth piece? He can rebound well enough, his rim protection stats are outstanding and he moves his feet well on the perimeter, but his general inconsistency and complete lack of an offensive repertoire seem like death knells to his viability, even as a rotation fill-in.

I suppose there could be a team out there looking to offload ‘25-26 salary, but Sims makes the minimum and New York can’t take back more than they send out. Because of minimum roster charges, the team acquiring him wouldn’t really be saving anything and would merely be opening up a roster spot.

My guess is that the Knicks are hoping they can attach a second round pick to Sims and take back someone who can actually give them minutes. This explains why you’ve heard Guerschon Yabusele’s name, but given his recent play, I’m not sure the Sixers are dying to give him away for nothing.

The name I’m keeping an eye on is Javonte Green from New Orleans, who I’d guess the Pels would deal for a good second rounder.