The New York Knicks were just two wins away from reaching the 2025 NBA Finals, but a lot of their defensive woes were exposed against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Many analysts believe the Knicks need to desperately shore up their interior defense to have a realistic shot at competing for a title in 2026. One player who could help in that regard is Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr., the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, and a former three-time All-Defensive Team selection.
Fadeaway World proposed a Knicks trade that would fetch Jaren Jackson Jr. in exchange for a package headlined by 3-and-D specialist OG Anunoby.
Knicks would receive: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Grizzlies would receive: OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, 2025 No. 50 overall pick
Should Knicks Trade For a New Center?
Some have suggested that the Knicks can’t afford to enter the 2025-26 season with Towns as the starting center, specifically with Mitchell Robinson’s injury history.
The Knicks ranked in the bottom half of the league in most defensive metrics last season, including points allowed in the paint and points allowed off pick-and-roll coverages. A lot of those deficiencies were due to Towns’ inability to defend well.
Eddie Bitar argued that a pairing of Jackson and Towns in the frontcourt would solve a lot of those issues.
“This [KAT-JJJ] pairing doesn’t just look good on paper; it solves schematic mismatches,” he wrote. “Jackson’s rim protection and floor-spacing free Towns to operate as a center, while recalibrating the lineup to let perimeter players like Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby roam the arc.”
“When Towns shifted to the four in Minnesota, efficiency dipped, but in New York, surrounded by elite wing defenders and spacing, that dip could reverse.”
Insider: Knicks ‘Interested’ in JJJ
The Knicks have reportedly maintained an interest in Jackson Jr. even before they acquired Towns via trade ahead of the 2024-25 season.
According to ClutchPoints’ Kris Pursiainen, the Knicks have previously fantasized about pairing Towns and Jackson Jr. together in the frontcourt.
“Sources familiar with the situation tell ClutchPoints that at least one key member of the Knicks’ front office has long been interested in Jackson Jr. as a trade target,” Pursiainen wrote on June 16.
“The Knicks’ acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns last offseason didn’t nullify this interest, either. League sources say that a Jackson Jr. and Karl-Anthony Towns frontcourt would be a ‘dream’ pairing for New York in their starting lineup.”
Pursiainen added that the Knicks could be willing to give up Mikal Bridges in a potential deal for the Grizzlies. As is well-documented, the Grizzlies offered four first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets a few years ago, when Bridges was part of the Nets.
The chatter of the Grizzlies potentially trading Jackson Jr. surfaced after the team shockingly moved Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst does not expect the Grizzlies to part with the defensive ace.
“No chance,” Windhorst said the Grizzlies trading Jackson Jr. “No chance. Absolutely not worth a discussion.”
“Look, I think Jaren Jackson is now in a position to sign a contract extension of over $200 million. I would feel very strongly that’s going to happen.”
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