Mock Trade Has Knicks Acquiring Former NBA Champion, Rising Center From Jazz

With their core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby returning next season, the Knicks will likely enter next season as one of the favorites to come out of the weakened East.

New York also upgraded their bench this offseason by signing Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele and they still have one roster spot open.

While the Knicks are expected to use their final roster spot on a veteran in free agency, Sports Illustrated’s Rohan Raman recently released a mock trade that would see them add three key players from the Utah Jazz, including a former champion and rising center.

Knicks predicted to land Walker Kessler, Kevin Love from Jazz

In the trade, the Knicks would send Mitchell Robinson, Pacome Dadiet and a 2026 first-round pick to the Jazz for Walker Kessler, Kevin Love and Svi Mykhailiuk.

New York would also send Tyler Kolek to the Atlanta Hawks, who are the third team in this deal.

For the Knicks, this trade would allow them to add even more talent to their bench while also moving on from Robinson who has been a solid player for them but has also struggled with injuries.

Of course, the headline of this trade for the Knicks is Kessler, whom they have targeted over the past few seasons.

Kessler is a great defender and inside scorer who has continued to work on his mid-range and three-point shots.

The young center would be a great addition to the Knicks’ bench as a replacement for Robinson and New York could also pair him and Towns in the starting lineup if needed.

New York would also land another veteran in Love who has championship experience and would provide them with a solid shooting big man off the bench.

While this trade would likely work out well for the Knicks, it is likely that the Jazz would want a much larger trade package for them to move on from Kessler.