Knicks Proposed to Trade Miles McBride for Blossoming Young Guard

The New York Knicks and Miles McBride appear set to part ways after failing to reach a contract extension before the August 11 deadline. Sources suggest the Knicks may have avoided extending McBride to allow for a potential trade prior to the February deadline. Now, the door is open for the Knicks to move McBride, who reportedly possesses considerable trade value.

One intriguing trade proposal involves the reigning NBA champions sending McBride to Memphis in exchange for Scotty Pippen Jr., a promising young guard. In return, the Knicks would receive Pippen Jr., while Memphis takes on McBride's $3.9M expiring contract. If Pippen Jr. and the Knicks prove compatible, the team retains his $2.7M Team Option for the 2027-28 season.

This move would help the Knicks maintain salary cap flexibility and sidestep tax ramifications from extending McBride. The undrafted Pippen Jr. has defied expectations, emerging as one of the league's top backup point guards over the past three years. Injuries hampered his performance last season, but he showcased glimpses of NBA caliber play during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, prior to the Desmond Bane trade.

Across his three seasons with Memphis, Pippen Jr. has contributed 10.6 points, 4.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per 48 minutes, shooting 48/39/72. Although his three-point shooting remains an area of improvement, he has improved at a commendable rate, tallying 1.2 threes per game at a solid 39% clip. Defensively, he excels at disrupting passing lanes and generating steals, showing promise as an underrated defender. Given his experience and leadership, Pippen Jr. could fill the void left by McBride in Memphis.