Blockbuster Three-Team Deal Sends All-Star Point Guard to New York Knicks in Franchise-Altering Move Ahead of 2025 NBA Season
The New York Knicks have long been in pursuit of a true superstar to elevate them from a playoff hopeful to a legitimate championship contender. While Jalen Brunson has blossomed into one of the league’s most efficient point guards, the Knicks remain one major piece away from entering the elite tier of NBA franchises. In a bold move aimed at changing the trajectory of their future, a three-team trade proposal has emerged that would send an All-Star point guard to New York in what could be a franchise-altering deal.
This hypothetical trade, currently only in the proposal phase, involves the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Utah Jazz. The centerpiece of the deal would be All-Star point guard Darius Garland heading to the Knicks. The 24-year-old guard has grown into one of the more dynamic and efficient young playmakers in the league, possessing a lethal combination of speed, court vision, and scoring prowess. For a team like the Knicks, who are desperate to take the next step in the Eastern Conference hierarchy, Garland could be the missing ingredient.
According to sources close to the situation, the deal would be structured as follows: The New York Knicks would receive Darius Garland from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers, in turn, would receive a package centered around RJ Barrett, a future first-round pick from New York, and Collin Sexton from the Utah Jazz. The Jazz would take on Evan Fournier’s expiring contract along with draft compensation from both Cleveland and New York. It’s a complex trade but one that checks the boxes for all three franchises involved.
From New York’s perspective, acquiring Garland would be a massive statement of intent. The Knicks have been stuck in a sort of middle ground—good enough to make the playoffs, but not good enough to contend for a title. This deal would finally give them a second All-Star to pair with Brunson. Although both are point guards by trade, Garland’s ability to play off the ball as a shooter and secondary facilitator could complement Brunson’s more physical, downhill style. A backcourt of Brunson and Garland might lack elite size, but it would more than make up for it in playmaking and offensive firepower.
This move also signals that the Knicks are done waiting for a superstar to fall into their lap. Over the past few seasons, the front office has been linked to names like Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, and even Karl-Anthony Towns. But with each passing offseason, the Knicks stood pat, seemingly waiting for the perfect opportunity. This trade proposal is a departure from that strategy. It’s aggressive, forward-thinking, and exactly the kind of move fans have been clamoring for since Leon Rose took over as president of basketball operations.
Giving up RJ Barrett would not be an easy pill to swallow. The former No. 3 overall pick has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to put it all together consistently. His streaky shooting, bouts of inefficiency, and occasional defensive lapses have been a source of frustration for fans and analysts alike. Still, he is only 25 and has room to grow. Cleveland’s interest in Barrett is understandable—they would be swapping one talented but imperfect guard for another while gaining additional assets in the process.
For the Cavaliers, this trade is more about reshaping the roster to better fit around franchise cornerstone Donovan Mitchell. Since acquiring Mitchell in 2022, the pairing between him and Garland has been somewhat underwhelming. Both need the ball to be effective, and their lack of size has created defensive issues, especially in the playoffs. This trade allows Cleveland to reconfigure its backcourt with a more complementary piece in Barrett, who has the size and versatility to play both shooting guard and small forward. Collin Sexton, once a rising star in Cleveland, would return in a bench role, giving the Cavaliers a scoring punch and familiarity with the system.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz play the role of facilitator in this deal but walk away with real value. By absorbing Fournier’s expiring deal and picking up additional draft picks, the Jazz continue to stockpile assets for the future. Utah has been in a rebuild mode ever since trading Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, and this trade fits that long-term strategy. They free up minutes for their younger guards, shed long-term salary in Sexton, and add to their already impressive war chest of draft capital. It’s a classic Danny Ainge maneuver—use cap space to eat a contract, grab picks, and stay patient.
For the Knicks, the risk is significant but calculated. Garland comes with questions. He’s been healthy for most of his career, but like any high-usage guard, the wear and tear is a concern. He also hasn’t yet proven that he can lead a team deep into the playoffs. But what he lacks in postseason pedigree, he makes up for in raw talent. The Knicks would be banking on head coach Tom Thibodeau to maximize the Garland-Brunson pairing while continuing to rely on their gritty, defensive-minded supporting cast, including Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, and Isaiah Hartenstein.
There’s also the question of fit. With both Garland and Brunson used to initiating the offense, would one be willing to play more off the ball? Garland is a better catch-and-shoot threat, but Brunson is more effective in isolation situations. It would require some sacrifice and creativity, but the upside is enormous. On paper, few teams in the East could match the offensive talent of a Garland-Brunson-Julius Randle trio, especially with DiVincenzo and Hartenstein playing supporting roles.
Moreover, this trade could have ripple effects across the Eastern Conference. With Milwaukee and Boston already loaded, the Knicks would be sending a message that they intend to compete at the highest level. Miami and Philadelphia, two teams with uncertain futures, would now have more pressure to make moves of their own. The East is becoming a battleground, and this trade could set off a domino effect of transactions before the start of the 2025-26 season.
Fan reactions would likely be mixed at first. Barrett has a loyal following in New York, and losing him—along with another future first-rounder—won’t be universally applauded. But as is always the case in the NBA, winning cures everything. If Garland comes in and the Knicks take a step forward—perhaps even making the Conference Finals—then this trade will be viewed as a masterstroke. If not, it could become another cautionary tale of the Knicks mortgaging their future for a quick fix.
One thing is certain: standing still was no longer an option. The Knicks have built something respectable, but respectable doesn’t win titles. The Eastern Conference is full of sharks, and you either keep swimming or get swallowed. Acquiring Darius Garland would be a bold, unapologetic move in the direction of contention, and the kind of swing big-market franchises are expected to take.
The beauty of this trade proposal lies in its symmetry. Each team gets something they need: New York gets a star, Cleveland gets a fresh start with a better roster fit, and Utah adds flexibility and future assets. No team walks away empty-handed, and no one is taking on a truly toxic contract. It’s a rare alignment of needs, timing, and opportunity.
Whether or not this proposal ever materializes into reality remains to be seen. NBA trades of this magnitude are complex, fluid, and often fall apart over minor details. But the very fact that such a proposal is being seriously discussed is a sign that the Knicks are no longer content with mediocrity. They are ready to take risks, ready to win now, and ready to embrace the pressure that comes with being a contender in the NBA’s biggest market.
And if Darius Garland walks through the tunnel at Madison Square Garden in a Knicks uniform come opening night, it may just signal the dawn of a new era for a franchise that has waited far too long for one.
