Knicks Insider Says Trade of Fan Favorite Miles McBride Could Be Coming
It won't be a popular move with New York Knicks fans, but a roster crunch, especially in the backcourt, could lead to a trade of fan favorite Miles McBride.
Insider Stefan Bondy of the New York Post says that "Deuce" could be squeezed out as the Knicks are determined to keep both Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet—each player is in camp on a non-guaranteed contract, and their joining the roster would put the team at one over the limit.
According to Bondy, speaking with KFTV, he's hearing McBride's name in the buzz around the league.
"If you're looking at the McBride thing, here's where you can sell me on it: He's up for an extension after the season… They're up against the second apron, they are paying their starting five a lot of money, and they're committed to them for a bunch of years. What if they don't want to pay Miles? Miles McBride is going to understandably want a lot of money. He's been playing on a bad contract for a while."
McBride has two years left on a three-year, $13 million deal. It would be extremely easy to find a taker. He averaged 25 minutes a game last season and shot 37% from three-point land, 9.5 points per game and 2.9 assists, while playing a staunch perimeter defense.
The problem in a crowded Knicks backcourt is that they already have four ballhandlers, even aside from McBride. Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon. Where does that leave Deuce?
"How many minutes is Miles McBride gonna be able to get?" asks Bondy, rhetorically. "Maybe there's another team out there that values him as a starter. He's a very valuable player on the market."
If the Knicks can recoup at least some of the trade capital lost in the Bridges trade, that could help.
"I'm not saying it's gonna happen," concludes Bondy, "but this is just some stuff that's being thrown out there."
He also mentions 2024 first-round pick Pacome Dadiet as a potential trade piece, a young shooting guard who wouldn't figure into the mix on a team in win-now mode.
The Knicks are going to have to figure this out by opening night.
Photo: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
