Knicks Eye Jordan Poole as Offseason Trade Target

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Knicks, boasting a strong 48-28 record, hold the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2024-25 NBA season, but signs point to potential playoff challenges. Despite their impressive standing, the Knicks have recorded a dismal 0-6 record against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, the two franchises ahead of them in the standings.

This disappointing performance has raised concerns about the team’s competitiveness against the league’s elite. To bolster their chances going into the postseason, the Knicks are exploring trade options and have identified Jordan Poole of the Washington Wizards as a prime target.

In a potential trade scenario, the Knicks would need to offer a package including Mikal Bridges, Miles McBride, and rookie Pacome Dadiet to acquire the 25-year-old Poole, who has had a standout second season in Washington. Poole is averaging 20.6 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game while hitting 38% of his career-high 9.2 three-point attempts.

The Knicks currently rank in the bottom five of the NBA for both three-point makes and attempts, highlighting a pressing need for improvement in this area. Poole’s addition could significantly enhance their perimeter shooting and overall offensive efficiency.

Moving Bridges, while difficult, may be a necessary sacrifice as his recent performance has raised eyebrows, particularly his -1.0 defensive box plus-minus statistic. Executives may consider this regression a sign to part ways as they look to strengthen the roster.

Moreover, Poole’s postseason experience—having been a crucial contributor to the Golden State Warriors‘ NBA championship win in 2022—could prove invaluable for the Knicks as they aim for a deeper playoff run. Pairing Poole with Jalen Brunson in the backcourt could create a formidable offensive duo for the 2025-26 season and beyond.