The Knicks have hit a bit of a midseason rough patch, now 2-6 in their last eight games, missing Jalen Brunson, and in danger of falling out of the second seed. 

With the season at a pivotal juncture, fans and even management may not be satisfied only making a modest upgrade at the incoming trade deadline. 

New York’s cap, asset, and tradable talent limitations have left the rumor mill and fan base’s potential outcomes resigned to acquiring Jose Alvarado or Jeremy Sochan.

But if the losing continues and the Knicks get desperate, here are three bold trade ideas they can consider instead...

Knicks get: Cam Thomas
Nets get: Guerschon Yabusele and Tyler Kolek

What the Knicks lack in maneuverability they can make up for in pure, unadulterated risk-taking with this move. Thomas' value seemingly can’t be lower after a no-bid free agency followed by the Nets finding competence in his absence, which makes him an attractive candidate for an asymmetric trade.

New York would be risking a couple of reserve bodies, including Kolek, who remains a promising bench guard. This deal comes with a price if Thomas blows up across the river as well. 

But if this trade can set Thomas right and get him to buy into a contender, the Knicks would get more than just another reliable ball-handler. He’s one of the most gifted young scorers in the league, a three-level threat who would be far more dangerous in a pointed role off the bench.

Yes, this trade is the basketball equivalent of your friend pitching you on the unheard-of stock trading at $0.12 that he swears is going to the moon. But the Knicks don’t have much more than $0.12 to spend, and need to find a rocket fast.

Knicks get: Ivica Zubac
Clippers get: Mitchell Robinson, Yabusele, 2026 Wizards protected first round pick, 2032 Knicks first round pick

If Thomas is the penny stock, Zubac is the giant real estate development your well-off grandfather helped funnel your savings into. The Knicks take a swing on a real upgrade at center in talent and reliability without gutting their rotation.

Zubac is coming off a career-year in which he averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 63 percent shooting from the field, made All-Defensive Second Team, and had a case to be an All-Star. He started off slower this year but is back at cruising altitude. While he isn’t the offensive rebounding freak Robinson is, he brings much more to the table overall.

Brunson would get his first real dynamic roll threat since Isaiah Hartenstein, someone who can screen hard, dive, and read the defense to make the right read. His low-post scoring is a major threat, too, offensive options that are largely off the table when Robinson’s playing. 

The price might look steep, but the market appears hot for Zubac’s services and the Clippers have little incentive to move him unless they’re getting a nice return. Even this package might not be enough, but if Los Angeles is willing to hear it out, New York has to consider a move like this. 

Knicks get: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Grizzlies get: Josh Hart, Robinson, Pacome Dadiet, 2026 Wizards protected first round pick, 2030 Knicks first round pick swap, 2032 Knicks first round pick, up to five second-round picks

Something short of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, but in the same vein of one last all-in push to make the Finals. This would absolutely decimate New York’s asset pile, but land them an All-Star two-way player that solves a few of their problems at once.

That would require Jackson returning to some of his past glory, as this season has been a down one for him. If he can tap into the player who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23, or averaged 22 points on 38 percent shooting from three last season, the Knicks could make real noise with him.

Losing Hart, a core piece of the team’s identity and best friend of the team’s best player, won’t be an easy pill to swallow. But he has his flaws -- size and how defenses treat him from behind the arc. Same goes for Robinson, who is limited offensively and can’t make free throws.

Jackson isn’t perfect, but he can be a defensive upgrade at the four, make up for some of New York’s lack of size, somewhat spread the floor, and slide down to the five at times if needed. He also happens to be a former client of Leon Rose, making him a more realistic target than one would think.

The price is the price, especially with the return Memphis got for Desmond Bane. But if the Knicks feel their backs approaching the wall, and this is the trade that’s available to them, why wouldn’t they at least consider it?

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