Knicks Considered a Top Contender in NBA

During an appearance on Get Up on ESPN, he spoke very highly of the team. Weighing in and discussing their chances to win an NBA championship, Windhorst is bullish on their chances.

"The Knicks are as strong and as good a position as they have been in the last 30 years to win it…it’s open, but the Knicks are as strong as any of them,” he said when comparing New York to other contenders in the NBA, via Get Up’s page on X.

Windhorst made those comments after the team’s gutsy win over the Nuggets. He might feel even more strongly about them after the work the front office did ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5.

New York got this started nearly right after the conclusion of the double-overtime thriller, trading Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls. It has come to light that the deal was only made possible because the veteran forward agreed to remove the player option from his contract for the 2026-27 season.

In return for Yabusele, the Knicks received Dalen Terry, a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft who is on an expiring contract. He was then flipped to the New Orleans Pelicans, along with two second-round picks, in exchange for Jose Alvarado.

Knicks were big winners at NBA trade deadline

A Brooklyn native, Alvardo is an instant upgrade for New York’s rotation as a feisty defender who can knock down some 3-pointers and effectively run an offense. His addition is even more important when taking into consideration the bleak outlook of Miles McBride, who has to undergo core muscle surgery and could be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Not only does Alvarado address a glaring need in the rotation, but the trades made also saved the Knicks a lot of money. After saving just over $100,000 flipping Yabusele for Terry, they saved approximately another $900,000 swapping Terry out for Alvarado.

With about $1.15 million worth of wiggle room under the second apron, New York can now be a player on the buyout market to fill the 15th spot on their roster with a veteran who is looking to contend for a ring.

Windhorst’s optimism about the Knicks was understandable already, and even moreso now after their trade deadline haul.