{"id":172179,"date":"2026-01-10T21:55:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T02:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=172179"},"modified":"2026-01-10T21:55:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T02:55:43","slug":"lakers-among-several-teams-expected-to-pursue-knicks-big-man-could-a-trade-deadline-deal-take-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/10\/lakers-among-several-teams-expected-to-pursue-knicks-big-man-could-a-trade-deadline-deal-take-place\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Among Several Teams Expected To Pursue Knicks Big Man, Could A Trade Deadline Deal Take Place?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Knicks<\/a> have been reeling since Josh Hart<\/a> went down with a sprained right ankle, losing five of their last six. While there is promising news on the injury front, the Knicks<\/a> need to add to their bench before the NBA trade deadline<\/a>. What can the Knicks do?<\/p>\n

Lakers Among Several Teams Expected To Pursue Knicks Big Man, Could A Trade Deadline Deal Take Place?<\/h3>\n

After spending most of the first two and a half months second in the Eastern Conference standings, New York has slipped to third with a 24-14 record. The Knicks began their current four-game road trip with a 112-107 win at Phoenix, turning the ball over 17 times to the Suns’ nine. The setback was the Knicks’ fifth in eight games during this stretch without Hart. They are now 5-5 without their “glue guy ” this year.<\/p>\n

New York’s biggest issue without Hart has been the defensive end. However, they have also been less efficient offensively.<\/p>\n

In the 10 games without Hart, the Knicks are averaging 116.1 points a game on 44.4% shooting. For the season, the Knicks are the sixth-highest scoring team with 119.4 points per game and 13th in the league at 47.4%. Meanwhile, the 119.3 points the Knicks are allowing without Hart are 4.5 points above their season average. The Knicks’ opponents are shooting slightly better without Hart (48.1% to 46.7%). The biggest difference without Hart is the Knicks’ rebounding and 3-point defense.<\/p>\n

When Could Josh Hart Return?<\/h3>\n

The good news is that Hart is nearing a return. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post<\/a> has progressed to taking contact in practice and is \u201cdefinitely getting close\u201d to returning.<\/p>\n

“\u2019ll be back at some point. We\u2019ll see. Pretty good little sprain,\u201d Hart said on his podcast via Bondy. \u201cIf this is my left ankle, I\u2019m back by now. Because I\u2019ve had some good ankle sprains on my left ankle. But I haven\u2019t had many good ankle sprains on my right. This was a good one. After this, I won\u2019t have any ligaments to sprain. So I\u2019ll be solid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Officially, Hart and Guerschon Yabusele<\/a>, who sat out the Knicks’ loss to the Suns with a quad injury, are questionable for Sunday’s game against Portland. Meanwhile, Landry Shamet<\/a>, out since November 23, has been ruled out for Sunday, though he could return soon.<\/p>\n

What Does The Knicks Need?<\/h4>\n

While Hart and Shamet’s return will be a massive boon for the Knicks, they still need to do something at the trade deadline to solidify themselves as genuine NBA title contenders. The Knicks have one of the best starting units in the league, but their bench ranks among the bottom five. Their reserves compile 31.5 points per game, which is the third-lowest in the league, and their 14.9 rebounds are the ninth-fewest, as they average 16.1 minutes a contest — third-fewest in the NBA.<\/p>\n

Shooting guard and power forward have been the Knicks’ biggest issues. It isn’t a surprise that shooting guard has been an issue, particularly with Shamet and Hart sidelined.\u00a0 Miles McBride<\/a> is having a career season, and Jordan Clarkson<\/a> is having a good year. But the injuries have forced McBride to play more than Mike Brown<\/a> probably would like at the two. Neither McBride nor Clarkson is a good individual defender.<\/p>\n

In terms of power forward, OG Anunoby<\/a> has struggled with efficiency this year after a fantastic season in 2024-25. Anunoby has been productive and good defensively, but he isn’t shooting the ball well — below his career averages. He is also turning the ball over a little bit more than usual.<\/p>\n

More significantly, Yabusele has failed to meet expectations, forcing Brown to use Mitchell Robinson<\/a>, Mohamed Diawara<\/a>, and Kevin McCullar Jr.<\/a> at the four. Robinson is better suited to play the five, and the Knicks are managing his minutes due to his injury history. Meanwhile, Diawara and McCullar are wings.<\/p>\n

Profile Of What The Knicks Need<\/h5>\n