Trade Scenario No. 2 — New York Knicks

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Kevin Knox, G Dennis Smith Jr., C Mitchell Robinson, NYK 2021 1st Round Pick

New York Knicks Receive: C Andre Drummond

This would be the best thing that could happen to the New York Knicks this season. If the Knicks were able to pull off a trade, moving a couple of young players, as well as get Andre Drummond to commit to the Knicks for the next few seasons, they could be in a position to land an NBA All-Star type talent to bring New York back to the playoffs.

Pairing Drummond with Julius Randle in the frontcourt would be extremely dangerous for other teams, especially since Randle is having an NBA All-Star type of season. Having two NBA All-Star talents in the frontcourt could be very beneficial for the Knicks, especially since they would be able to ease Obi Toppin back into the rotation when he returns from injury. 

Trading away Dennis Smith Jr. also makes a lot of sense for New York, as they have Elfrid Payton, Austin Rivers and rookie Immanuel Quickley, all of which are getting more playing time than Smith Jr. 

Mitchell Robinson is another young player the Knicks would be giving up in this trade package and while the whole point of trading Drummond is because the Cavs’ frontcourt is crowded, Mitchell Robinson and Jarrett Allen could make up a solid one-two punch. Both guys are great rim protectors and avid rebounders and moving forward, the Cleveland Cavaliers could mess around with a big, athletic lineup with both Allen and Robinson in the game at the same time. 

If the Knicks are to bring in NBA All-Star levels talents via free agency and actually contend in the East once again, then they need to be willing to make a big move this season and acquiring Andre Drummond would be that move. If this opportunity comes their way, they have to do everything they can to make sure Andre Drummond is suiting up for them and stepping out on the court in Madison Square Garden for the foreseeable future.