Who would have thought the Knicks would have more depth than they could handle? With a productive offseason that included the additions of Jordan Clarkson, Landry Shamet, and Malcolm Brogdon, the Knicks have solidified their status as one of the deepest teams in the league. These moves, along with the retention of key young players and the coaching change from Thibs to Mike Brown, further position NYC as a formidable contender. However, the team operates under the constraints of the new collective bargaining agreement, which has left them hard-capped at the second apron.

This means they only have one minimum contract to give out, creating an immediate roster dilemma. While some have speculated that the Knicks would move a player to accommodate Brogdon and Shamet, the situation is more complex than a simple roster crunch.

According to New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, the Knicks want both Brogdon and Shamet on their roster. This implies that the team would need to make a trade to keep both players. And Ian Begley noted that a trade for “Pacome Dadiet or Miles McBride” would allow New York to sign both. He further stated, “If I’m betting today, I’m betting that both Brogdon and Shamet are on the regular season roster.”

While this specific roster battle is playing out, it’s merely a symptom of a larger, more ambitious plan. The true jeopardy facing the Knicks’ roster is not a fight for a single roster spot, but a high-stakes gamble to redefine their championship ceiling. The front office is not content with simply being a contender; they are actively positioning the team to acquire a true, franchise-altering superstar.

In a weakened Eastern Conference, where the opportunity to reach the NBA Finals is pretty much wide open, it’s only natural to imagine the Knicks would be proactive. This is where their two-star model, centered on Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, comes into play. The sheer talent of this duo is a strength, but Towns’ massive contract and status as a star could also make him a central piece in a blockbuster trade.

The ultimate gamble: why Karl-Anthony Towns is the Knicks primary trade asset

For months, media and fans have speculated about the Knicks’ willingness to part with Karl-Anthony Towns for a bigger star. Both Bleacher Report and SI have created hypothetical trades involving Towns for either LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the chatter is a reflection of the Knicks’ strategic thinking.

For New York, acquiring a player like Giannis would be a transformational move. It instantly creates one of the most dominant trios in basketball by pairing him with Brunson and Towns. The defensive versatility would be immense, and Antetokounmpo’s relentless rim pressure would create a seamless fit under new coach Mike Brown’s system. But why would the New York Knicks part with Karl-Anthony Towns?

It comes down to a calculated risk. On an episode of What’s Wright? With Nick Wright, the sports analyst, was quite vocal about a potential Towns-for-LeBron swap. “The pros, in my opinion, are, oddly by adding a guy in year 23, a 40 guy who’s going to be 41, you actually get better defensively for two reasons,” Wright said. “One is, it’s more Mitchell Robinson minutes instead of Towns. … But also, as LeBron showed last year once they got Luka, if he’s not the primary offensive creator, he still has the ability to be a … good defender if that’s where he can put his energy.”

Wright also highlighted the “sneaky pro” that a short-term deal for LeBron would get “Towns’ contract off the books” before his next mega-extension. The Knicks’ concerns about their star duo’s defensive limitations are legitimate, and moving Karl-Anthony Towns for a two-way star like Giannis or a defensively-minded playmaker like LeBron James could be the missing piece.

This is where the 11 others come into the picture. As sources have suggested, a trade for a superstar would require a “historic haul of assets,” including multiple first-round picks and a combination of young, solid players. Even hard-nosed players like Miles McBride, a legitimate two-way contributor with an improved jump shot, could be included in such a package.

This widespread jeopardy is the price of ambition. The New York Knicks are not merely hoping to compete; they are actively exploring every path to win. And in today’s NBA, that means, no player — except maybe Jalen Brunson — is truly off-limits.