As the NBA trade deadline looms, the New York Knicks are reportedly narrowing their focus on specific bench needs to bolster what has been the league's lowest-scoring second unit. According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, the Knicks have identified Miami Heat sharpshooter Simone Fontecchio as a primary target to address their urgent need for shooting and ball-handling depth.
The Bench Dilemma: Searching for Scoring
The Knicks enter the 2026 playoff push with a stark statistical reality: their bench is averaging just 19.9 points per game, the fewest in the NBA. While Jalen Brunson and the starting five have kept the team in the hunt, the drop-off when the reserves take the floor has become a major concern for head coach Mike Brown.
The current second unit, anchored by Jordan Clarkson, Miles McBride, and the recently returned Mitchell Robinson, has lacked the offensive versatility to maintain leads. The Knicks are reportedly looking for a player who can:
Space the Floor: A reliable shooter to prevent defenses from collapsing on Brunson.
Handle the Ball: Someone to stabilize the offense when McBride or Clarkson struggle with efficiency.
Provide Playoff Experience: A veteran capable of contributing high-stakes minutes.
Why Simone Fontecchio?
Fontecchio emerged as a possible solution due to his unique situation in Miami. The Italian swingman started the season in "scorching form," but has recently found himself on the fringes of Erik Spoelstra’s rotation. Despite the fluctuating minutes, his profile remains highly attractive for New York:
The Shooting Factor: He is currently making 1.7 threes per game at a 36.4% clip.
The Contract: Owed $8.3 million this season, his salary represents a manageable figure for a Knicks team currently teetering on the edge of the luxury tax second apron.
Versatility: At 6-foot-7, he provides the size and length the Knicks' wing rotation has lacked since the departure of key role players last season.
The Proposed Pathway: Moving Yabusele and Dadiet
To land Fontecchio, the Knicks must navigate a tight financial window. Edwards reports that New York is exploring a package centered on:
Guerschon Yabusele: The Olympic standout has struggled to crack the rotation and is reportedly viewed as a "dead salary" at this stage.
Pacome Dadiet: The second-year wing could serve as the "sweetener" for the Heat, offering Miami a young prospect to develop.
Draft Capital: The Knicks are expected to include a 2026 protected first-round pick (via Washington), which is likely to convert into multiple second-rounders.
| Trade Piece | Salary / Value | Status |
| G. Yabusele | ~$5.7M | Out of rotation; looking to move |
| P. Dadiet | ~$2.6M | Developing prospect |
| S. Fontecchio | $8.3M | Salary match for Yabusele/Dadiet |
Conclusion: Finalizing the Rotation
For Leon Rose and the Knicks front office, the goal is clear: maximize the championship window while Jalen Brunson is in his prime. While the Knicks have also been linked to bigger names like Giannis Antetokounmpo or even Ja Morant in wilder rumors, a move for Fontecchio represents a more realistic, "surgical" strike to fix a specific weakness.
If the Knicks can swap their underutilized assets for a high-level floor spacer like Fontecchio, they will have a much more balanced attack heading into a grueling Eastern Conference postseason.
Related Article: NBA Trade Analysis: 2022 Edition!
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