Brook Lopez Lands With the Knicks In Proposed Trade

The New York Knicks have had an impressive offseason, making a blockbuster trade with their crosstown neighbors to acquire star wing Mikal Bridges, while re-signing 3-and-D star OG Anunoby to a long-term deal, and getting a sweetheart deal on a Jalen Brunson extension, as he left $113 million on the table for the Knicks to use to improve the roster.

But one drawback has been the defection of center Isaiah Hartenstein, who bolted for the OKC Thunder in free agency. With no impact 'fives' left on the free agent market, pundits are conjuring up potential trades the Knicks could swing.

David Vertsberger of Yahoo Sports has come up with a proposed deal that would see New York bring long-time Milwaukee Bucks big man Brook Lopez to Broadway. The trade would look like this:

Knicks Receive:

Brook Lopez

Bucks Receive:

Precious Achiuwa (on a sign-and-trade)
Miles McBride

Lopez, 36, is still a starting-caliber center, and would provide the Knicks a solid one-two punch in the pivot combining him with Mitchell Robinson. Lopez provides a different look, able to knock down threes, providing some important floor spacing from the 'five', having hit on 35.4% from long distance over the last six seasons in Milwaukee.

Losing backup point guard McBride in this proposed deal after trading away Immanuel Quickley last season would hurt in the backcourt, but the team did sign Cameron Payne to a one-year deal, and he could fill that role.

Why would the Bucks trade Lopez, who has been an anchor of their defense for years? He is entering the final year of a two-year contract, plus they hope to play a more versatile defensive style under Doc Rivers next season, per Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

The offseason has quieted down, but that doesn't mean that teams aren't still working the phones, and the Knicks will be making calls like these on a big man.