The New York Knicks have spent the early part of the season looking like a team one rotation piece short. When healthy, they defend as well as anyone. When the offense pops, they can outshoot most of the East. But the margin on the wing remains thin, and that has opened the door for conversations about adding another big defender.
One idea, proposed by Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, sends New York looking for another defensive forward in the capital. Washington Wizards wing, Justin Champagnie.
Why Champagnie Makes Sense for the Knicks
Champagnie fits the prototype the Knicks have leaned on. He can guard bigger wings, compete at the rim and play with the energy and discipline Mike Brown demands. His offense can be inconsistent, but he doesn’t require touches to stay involved. The defensive tools are the draw.
His contract is another factor. He’s under team control through 2027–28 at a tiny cap number. For a team preparing to make difficult second-apron decisions, that matters.
New York could use more playable size. Champagnie would give them depth without the tax complications that come with shopping for a pricier name.
What a Champagnie Deal Might Require
Adding Champagnie would be a postseason-focused move. Matchup-driven, minutes-dependent, and the type of acquisition that shores up the rotation rather than defines it.
The Knicks have the pieces to get something done. Young players. Draft equity. Moveable salaries. The question becomes whether Washington would move him cheaply. His defensive versatility, age and contract make him appealing, and any acquiring team would be betting on multiyear value.
It’s the kind of stabilizing deadline move contenders often make.
But Do the Knicks Need This Move?
This is where the other side of the discussion matters.
New York does need wing depth. But is Champagnie the answer? That’s harder to pin down. His offense comes and goes. His role in Washington remains inconsistent. And while his defensive skill set projects well, he’s not a guaranteed playoff fixture.
There’s also the internal factor.
Guerschon Yabusele has been disappointing, but not unplayable. His shooting hasn’t fully clicked, and the defensive lapses stand out. But the Knicks might want to persist after investing in him this offseason.
And then there’s the roster priority. Some around the league believe the Knicks should be hunting for a backup point guard more than another forward. Someone who can steady the offense when Jalen Brunson sits. Someone who can help organize second-unit possessions. That argument has real weight, especially with the bench offense swinging wildly from game to game.
Champagnie checks a need, but he’s not the only need.
The Verdict for New York
Champagnie would help. He’s young, cheap, mobile and capable of guarding multiple positions. He fits the cap sheet. He fits the Knicks’ defensive identity. And if the price stays low, he’s the type of player good teams grab before the playoffs.
But New York has to balance that with everything else. Is this the move that changes their trajectory? Is this the spot where resources should go? Those are the questions the Knicks must answer.
A deal for Champagnie makes sense. It just might not be the one they need most.
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