Knicks Linked To Big Man in Potential Trade

The New York Knicks are getting set to make a big move before the trade deadline, in exactly one month. With Taj Gibson having been waived on Sunday, they've given themselves some extra roster flexibility and are setting the stage to be able to make a two-for-one or three-for-two trade.

And according to ESPN's NBA Insider Tim Bontemps, one target to watch for is Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford. 

ESPN Tim Bontemps: “I actually think…the more likely path they'll take if they're gonna add 1 piece is to get a big. The guy I think would be really interesting for the Knicks is…guy in Washington…Daniel Gafford…you pair him with Isaiah Hartenstein, you get back to…48… pic.twitter.com/GepQtcuoaM

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 8, 2024

“I actually think…the more likely path they'll take if they're gonna add 1 piece is to get a big. The guy I think would be really interesting for the Knicks is…guy in Washington…Daniel Gafford…you pair him with Isaiah Hartenstein, you get back to…48 minutes of high quality…center play." 

The Knicks' starting center, Mitchell Robinson, is out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, and the team needs to shore up the pivot to be a serious playoff contender. 

Gafford is on a 3-year extension with the Wizards that pays him $14 million per year and runs through the 2025-26 season. He's currently averaging 10.5 points, 7.6 boards and 2.1 blocked shots per game, in about 25 minutes per night. 

The Wizards, at 6-29, are certainly in sell mode, as they are into a full rebuild phase. The Knicks have gone 4-0 since acquiring OG Anunoby in their win-win trade with the Toronto Raptors, and are 21-15, in a three-way tie for the 4/5/6 seeds in the Eastern Conference.

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