The New York Knicks are gearing up for a championship push starting next season. With Jalen Brunson emerging as their top option, alongside All-Star forward Julius Randle, key role players, and new acquisition Mikal Bridges, the team is all-in on winning a title as soon as possible.
To secure Bridges and extend OG Anunoby, the Knicks had to let go of Isaiah Hartenstein, who signed a lucrative deal with the OKC Thunder. Although Mitchell Robinson remains, his frequent injuries have been a challenge for the team, and Hartenstein’s contributions were significant last year. As a result, the Knicks are considering acquiring a young center from the Pistons to develop alongside their championship core.
**Trade Proposal**
*New York Knicks Receive:* Jalen Duren
*Detroit Pistons Receive:* Miles McBride, 2025 First-Round Pick (DET), 2025 Second-Round Pick (BOS/MEM), 2026 Second-Round Pick (NYK), 2026 Second-Round Pick (GSW), 2027 Second-Round Pick (MIN)
In this trade, the Knicks would offer four second-round picks and a future first-round pick to acquire Jalen Duren. They would also give up promising young guard Miles McBride but have signed Cameron Payne to provide additional guard depth. This move would enable the Knicks to create a strong center rotation with Duren and Robinson.
**Pistons’ Strategic Shift**
The Detroit Pistons, long struggling at the bottom of the NBA standings, are aiming to rebuild. With non-shooters Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland in their core, it’s becoming difficult to integrate Duren, who also lacks a shooting threat. Since Thompson and Holland are expected to be central to the team’s future, maintaining a balanced lineup is crucial. McBride, with his ability to shoot and contribute offensively, could be a better fit alongside Cade Cunningham.
McBride averaged 8.3 points per game last season, shooting 41.0% from three-point range. While he might not be part of the Pistons’ long-term plans, he could provide valuable spacing and offense in the meantime.
The Pistons have amassed several underperforming young lottery picks, and moving Duren could open up opportunities for others to develop. They might seek a more versatile center to complement their core, potentially through trade or by tanking for a high draft pick like Cooper Flagg.
**Knicks’ Championship Ambitions and Pistons’ Rebuilding**
Adding Duren would make the Knicks strong championship contenders, providing reliable scoring and rebounding from the center position while benefiting from New York’s solid perimeter defense.
For the Pistons, integrating Thompson, Holland, and Duren simultaneously could hinder their development and overburden Cunningham. Trading Duren for a more suitable center and accumulating future assets could better align with Detroit’s rebuilding strategy, especially as they look to position themselves for the 2025 Draft Class.
