[The following submission is from the New York Knicks, run by students in the mock deadline practicum at the SBC Las Vegas Immersive.]

Assignment: New York Knicks

Team Members: Ben Pennington, Boris Kanyemera, Damjan Rudež, Joel Dereszynski, Lee Doffeny, Dylan Silverstein

Our first step was determining our roster’s ceiling and floor. We decided our best-case scenario was a first-round playoff appearance. But our worst-case was as low as a bottom-five team in the NBA. Neither was where we wanted to be. The goal was to break out of that range of mediocrity.

With our front office frustrated by limited playoff success, the group decision was to make the kind of moves that would reestablish a winning culture in the Big Apple. The strategy was to partner a young superstar with the recently-acquired Jalen Brunson. When Donovan Mitchell became available, we made sure we closed a deal with the Utah Jazz.

While we gave up several first-round picks, most were heavily protected from other franchises. While it was difficult to part with some of our younger players like Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride, the sacrifice for an elite scorer like Mitchell was worthwhile.

Mitchell is a young hometown superstar at what we deemed a fair price. He’ll fill seats and improve our playoff chances immediately. We parted with a player on a contract that we didn’t feel matched his production (Evan Fournier) while maintaining three of our own first-round picks over the next seven seasons.

We also wanted to improve our defense, maintain our key rotational players, and add leadership and “3&D” players to the roster. We were excited with the results, bringing on two younger, gifted athletes who can guard multiple positions, KJ Martin and Keita Bates-Diop. We also added two reliable veterans: Carmelo Anthony (a fan favorite and capable bench scorer) and Avery Bradley (locker room presence and capable defender).

With our revamped roster, we will confidently reinforce a winning culture, drive fan engagement and continue to reestablish ourselves as an attractive free-agent destination.

Trade 1

  • New York received Donovan Mitchell.
  • Utah received Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, Miles McBride, Quentin Grimes, a 2023 first-rounder (top-3 protected, otherwise the obligation expires), a 2023 first-rounder (top-18 protected through 2024, top-13 in 2025, top-11 in 2026, top-9 in 2027, otherwise a 2027 second-rounder) via the Detroit Pistons, a 2023 first-rounder (top-14 protected, top-12 in 2024, top-10 in 2025, top-8 in 2026, otherwise 2026 and 2027 second-rounders) via the Washington Wizards, a 2025 first-rounder (top-4 protected) via the Milwaukee Bucks and a 2025 first-rounder (top-5 protected, otherwise the obligation expires).

Trade 2

  • New York received KJ Martin (via cap room).
  • Houston received a 2026 second-rounder via the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Other

  • Renounced the rights to Ryan Arcidiacono.
  • Signed Carmelo Anthony to a two-year $5,956,995 minimum contract (player option for the season).
  • Signed Avery Bradley to a two-year $5,956,995 minimum contract ($500,000 guaranteed for 2023-24).
  • Claimed Keita Bates-Diop off waivers (from the San Antonio Spurs).

-Dylan Silverstein