New York Knicks Receive: C James Wiseman

Golden State Warriors Receive: C Mitchell Robinson

This second scenario is a more straightforward deal between the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks. Regardless of how things go against the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals, this is a Warriors roster built to win now and they will operate as so this offseason.

If they are unable to retain Kevon Looney, they will have to aggressively pursue a replacement. Given how things have gone thus far in the career of James Wiseman, he can be used as the centerpiece of a deal to land a center.

Wiseman has immense potential, but he has yet to prove to the Warriors that he can handle rotation minutes for a contending team. He missed the entire 2021-22 season recovering from a meniscus injury, which could very well make him expendable.

While not a perfect player in his own right when it comes to good health at times in his career, Mitchell Robinson put some of that behind him this season, playing in 72 games, starting 62 of them. That is more games than Wiseman has played in his entire NBA career, as he appeared in only 39 as a rookie.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: New York Knicks Could Use NBA Draft For Mitchell Robinson’s Replacement

In New York, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft should be afforded the chance to develop his skill set. The Knicks have an excellent core of young players that Wiseman would fit in well with. Golden State likely cannot afford him the same opportunity, but he makes for a good trade chip.

Because of the difference in salary, the Knicks would have to add some salary to the deal. Cam Reddish, Obi Toppin or Taj Gibson should make the deal work monetarily under the league’s CBA. Or, they can work out a separate deal that clears some salary from their books.