The New York Knicks have the same issue that plagued them during the 2024-25 regular season: lackluster frontcourt depth.
Everyone knows what to expect from versatile starting star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, but what about the rest of the Knicks’ frontcourt crew?
Towns shouldn’t have to do it all by himself in the low /high post, which Hoops Habit’s Ismail Sy agrees with wholeheartedly. The NBA writer recently suggested that the franchise should trade its 7-foot backup center to the Dallas Mavericks for a 6-foot-10 forward.
“ New York must swap Mitchell Robinson for Mavs' Daniel Gafford,” Sy wrote Sunday . “ Robinson has been one of the Knicks’ more important players over the last couple seasons.”
“His ability to crash the glass, be a tenacious defender, and be a ball of energy are qualities that New York has needed. Robinson’s issue, though, is that he cannot stay healthy.”
“He has not played more than 50 regular season games in three years and has dealt with multiple surgeries on his ankle and knees. Having that much of a wild card when it comes to their backup big spot is not ideal for the Knicks, so bringing in Gafford would help solve that.”
It’s to argue against Sy’s point about Robinson’s injury struggles. The Knicks have been patient with Robinson thus far, but with him continuing to let the franchise down from a health perspective, there’s a good chance it’ll change its stance on the 27-year-old big man.
It would be far easier to tolerate Robinson and his persistent lower-body setbacks if he were an offensive juggernaut capable of dominating games in various ways.
However, with the second-round pick being limited on that end of the floor, it wouldn’t be shocking to witness the Knicks consider moving on from him before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
If New York elects to do so, acquiring Gafford in a deal would be the best-case scenario.
Unlike Robinson, Gafford's greatest strength isn’t fighting for offensive rebounds, as the former Arkansas product is a more skilled low-post threat and pick-and-roll weapon.
Gafford is averaging 9.4 points per game on 61.7% from the field in 14 games with the Mavericks this season.
Sy is onto something with this intriguing early-season trade idea.
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