NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks might get $104.72 million Memphis Grizzlies big man to form power duo with KAT; Mikal Bridges key trade asset?
Karl-Anthony Towns (Image via Imagn)
The
New York Knicks
are eyeing a major offseason move to push them closer to an NBA title after falling short in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals. A potential blockbuster trade involving Mikal Bridges could bring
Grizzlies
superstar
Jaren Jackson Jr.
to Madison Square Garden.
Why the New York Knicks Are Targeting Jaren Jackson Jr.
The
New York Knicks
came agonizingly close to the NBA Finals this season, losing to the Indiana Pacers in a hard-fought series. Despite strong performances from All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the team lacked one more elite piece to get over the hump.
Enter Jaren Jackson Jr. The Memphis Grizzlies' star, a two-time All-Star and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, could be the missing link. Reports suggest the Grizzlies may be open to trading him as they pivot toward a rebuild after dealing Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
According to ClutchPoints' Kris Pursiainen, the Knicks have long been interested in Jackson Jr.: "Sources familiar with the situation tell ClutchPoints that at least one key member of the Knicks' front office has long been interested in Jackson Jr. as a trade target." (H/t: Sporting News)
Potential Trade Package
Jaren Jackson Jr (Image via Sky Sports)
To acquire Jaren Jackson Jr., the New York Knicks would likely need to part with Mikal Bridges, a key two-way player. The Grizzlies previously offered four first-round picks for Bridges in 2023, signaling their high valuation of him.
Pursiainen outlines a possible deal:
- Knicks Receive:
- Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Vince Williams Jr.
- John Konchar
- Grizzlies Receive:
- Mikal Bridges
- Mitchell Robinson
- 1 first-round pick
- 3 second-round picks
Why This Trade Makes Sense
For the Knicks
For the Grizzlies
Adds an elite two-way big man to pair with Towns
Gets a proven wing in Bridges
Strengthens frontcourt defense and spacing
Acquires future draft assets for rebuild
Creates a true Big 3 (Brunson, Towns, Jackson Jr.)
Sheds salary while adding young talent
How Jackson Jr. Elevates the New York Knicks
At just 25 years old, Jackson Jr. is coming off his best offensive season, averaging:
- 22.2 points
- 5.6 rebounds
- 2.0 assists
- 37.5% from three on 5.3 attempts per game
Defensively, he remains a force, leading the league in blocks twice and earning three All-Defensive Team selections.
His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim would make him an ideal fit next to Towns.
The Cost of Losing Bridges
While Bridges has been a reliable scorer and defender for the Knicks, Jackson Jr.'s upside might be too good to pass up. His arrival would give New York a championship-caliber trio, positioning them as serious contenders in what should be a wide-open Eastern Conference next season.
Also read:
NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers predicted to bag 6-feet-8 Portlan Trail Blazers big man and form Big 3 with Luka Doncic and LeBron James; key trade asset a bold choice?
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the Knicks pull the trigger on this high-stakes trade. If they do, it could finally bring the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to New York.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Tracy McGrady compares SGA to Jordan, Kobe as Thunder move one win from NBA title
McGrady draws Jordan-Kobe parallels as SGA leads Thunder charge Live Events Thunder one win from championship as SGA's game gains spotlight (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Oklahoma City Thunder took a 3–2 lead in the 2025 NBA Finals on Monday, June 16, with a 120–109 win over the Indiana Pacers. The series, now heading toward a potential Game 6 decider, has been shaped in large part by the performance of Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), whose midrange scoring and late-game control have drawn praise from league of Game 4, NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady praised Gilgeous-Alexander's throwback offensive style, comparing him to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Also read: Tyrese Haliburton limps off after apparent injury setback in Thunder vs Pacers Game 5 of NBA Finals 'SGA's style of play is very similar to Michael Jordan, or Kobe. This is what I have seen. He will not score with a 3-point wave,' McGrady said before Game had scored 15 points in less than five minutes in the fourth quarter of Game 4, a burst that helped the Thunder even the series. The Thunder's Game 5 victory now puts them one win away from securing the franchise's first NBA title since relocating from Seattle in 2025 NBA Finals is a best-of-seven series between the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers. With three wins to the Pacers' two, Oklahoma City needs just one more victory to clinch the NBA title. Gilgeous-Alexander's consistent production, especially his preference for the midrange and pull-up jumpers, has stood out in a league increasingly dominated by three-point McGrady's comments were made prior to Game 4, they continue to gain relevance as the Thunder edge closer to the championship and Gilgeous-Alexander further cements his role as a modern-day star with an old-school game.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
'It's pretty clear': Indiana Pacers coach provides crucial update on Tyrese Haliburton's injury after Game 5 defeat
The Indiana Pacers suffered a 109-120 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the NBA Finals; however, it was Tyrese Haliburton's fitness which became a big concern for them. Haliburton, battling through an injury, had a tough outing in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. The Pacers' All-Star guard missed all six of his field-goal attempts, finishing with just four points, seven rebounds, and six assists in 34 minutes of action as Indiana fell 120-109 to the hosts. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle confirmed after the Game 5 that Haliburton wasn't 100 per cent but he is confident that he will make it to the next game. "He's not 100 per cent. It's pretty clear. But I don't think he's going to miss the next game. "We were concerned at halftime. He insisted on playing. I thought he made a lot of really good things happen in the second half. But he's not 100 percent. There's a lot of guys in this series that aren't." According to ESPN, at halftime, Haliburton was battling tightness in his right calf — the same leg where he had previously suffered an ankle injury. Before Monday's game, Haliburton was averaging 17.8 points, 7.5 assists, and 6 rebounds per outing in the Finals. He was the one who delivered the decisive blow in Game 1, draining a clutch jump shot to silence the Thunder crowd and lift the Pacers to a dramatic 111-110 road win. Meanwhile, Haliburton discussed sitting out the remainder of the game with head coach Rick Carlisle at half-time but eventually returned after the break. "It's the Finals, man. I've worked my whole life to be here and I want to be out there to compete, help my teammates any way I can," Haliburton said. "I was not great tonight by any means, but it's not really a thought of mine to not play here. If I can walk, then I want to play. It is what it is. Got to be ready to go for game six," he added.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Jalen Williams outlines no-nonsense plan for Thunder's NBA title push in Game 6
Jalen Williams kept it short and straightforward when asked how the Oklahoma City Thunder plan to secure the NBA championship in Game 6 of the Finals: "Just play hard." The rising star, who dropped a career playoff-high 40 points in Game 5, has been instrumental in pushing the Thunder within one win of the title. Williams' calm yet determined response reflects the team's focused mentality heading into Thursday's showdown against the Indiana Pacers . "We just buckled down and got stops," Williams said. "That's a really good team over there." "My teammates instill a lot of confidence in me to just go out and be me," Williams said, on the ABC broadcast, after the victory. Live Events "Energy and effort with as few mistakes as possible. Just play hard," Williams concluded. — NBA (@NBA) With the Thunder holding a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals , Williams and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are on the brink of delivering the franchise's first championship since 1979. Williams showcased his explosive athleticism and sharp shooting in the Thunder's 120-109 Game 5 win, connecting on 14 of 25 attempts en route to 40 points. Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 10 assists in another commanding performance. Williams poured in 24 of his points in the second half, including 13 in the fourth quarter, while Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 18 after the break as the Thunder pulled away to seize control of the series. The Thunder and Pacers traded the lead three times early before Oklahoma City seized momentum with a 14-3 run, building a 22-12 lead midway through the first quarter. Williams scored 10 of his 40 points in the second quarter, fueling the Thunder's push. From there, the Thunder never trailed again, tightening its grip on the game and heading into halftime with a commanding 59-45 advantage. — NBA (@NBA) Despite outshooting the Thunder 45.1% to 42.6% in Game 5, the Pacers were undone by their sloppy ball-handling, committing 22 turnovers to Oklahoma City's 11. Game 6 is set for Thursday in Indianapolis, where the Thunder will aim to seal their first title since 1979.
