New York Knicks: A blockbuster 3-team trade to consider this offseason

The Blockbuster Deal

The three-team deal, which works out financially on the TradeNBA website and consists of five players and multiple draft picks, is as follows:

Knicks

Pros: Bringing aboard a true professional in Harris to accompany Thibodeau’s first season in charge in the Big Apple is a massive positive. In addition to his on-court prowess, Harris’ influence in the locker room will be invaluable for a team that last reached the postseason in 2013. At 28, the Knicks will feature Harris in the absolute prime of his career. His Sixers’ teammate, Matisse Thybulle, would also figure to have a huge impact, given coach Thibodeau’s penchant for the defensive end of the floor.

Cons: Of course, the $147 million owed to Harris is the major obstacle, which clearly has a major impact on the Knicks’ ability to sign prospective free agents over the coming years.

Sixers

Pros: While Harris is a valuable player having averaged 19.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season, the burden that the $147 million owed to him over the coming four seasons has on the Sixers’ ability to change their roster is immense. By bringing in Dennis Schroder, not only do the Sixers upgrade their backcourt and perimeter shooting, but it also enables them to utilize Simmons more in an off-ball role, thus giving the Sixers a further dynamic to their offense. Additionally, Schroder’s $15.5 million will come off the books at the end of the coming season, thus giving the Sixers increased options moving forward.

Cons: In addition to Harris’ departure, losing Thybulle, a defensive specialist entering his second season, would be a tough pill to swallow. Furthermore, the handing over of two first-round picks to consummate the deal is a difficult call for any front office to make. However given their expectations, and the need for additional perimeter shooting (Schroder averaged 18.9 points while shooting 38.5 percent from long range last season), the move makes plenty of sense for the Sixers.

Thunder

Pros: With Danilo Gallinari likely to depart, bringing aboard Julius Randle gives the Thunder an exciting option to work with in their rebuild. Still just 25, Randle is one of just eight players in the league to have averaged at least 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists over the past two seasons.

Cons: Coming off a career-best season, Schroder finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Still just 27, Schroder’s ability to make an impact as both a reserve and a starter would be a welcome addition to plenty of teams around the league.

In summary, while Harris’ contract is certainly burdensome, the ability to add an exciting young talent in Thybulle in addition to an additional first-round selection in the upcoming draft is a boon for all involved with the team.

With emerging center Mitchell Robinson a terrific frontcourt complement, the addition of Tobias Harris with the New York Knicks, while certainly not a household name, certainly has plenty of merit.