Look, I know what you're thinking. Nikola Jokic to the Knicks? It sounds like something out of a video game, a 'what if' scenario cooked up during a long flight. But hear me out for a minute. The whispers, faint as they are, about a potential shake-up in Philadelphia if things don't go their way this postseason are starting to reach my desk. And when you're talking about a talent like Jokic, every team with a pulse and a war chest has to at least run the numbers. The Knicks, with their newfound cap flexibility and a roster that's proven its grit, would be foolish not to.
Real talk: the 76ers aren't actively shopping Jokic. Not by a long shot. He's arguably the most dominant force in the league, a two-time MVP who just averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in 2023-24. But if Philadelphia somehow underperforms in the playoffs, and if Jokic, who's been there for years, starts to get restless, then the scene changes. And the Knicks, sitting on a pile of draft picks and some intriguing young talent, suddenly become a very interesting suitor.
Jokic in the Big Apple: The Tactical Dream
Imagine Jokic running the show for Tom Thibodeau. On paper, it's a match made in heaven, or at least a basketball nerd's fever dream. The Knicks, for all their success this season, still lack that true, transcendent offensive hub. Jalen Brunson is incredible, a bonafide superstar, but he's a scoring guard. Jokic, on the other hand, is a point-center, a maestro who makes everyone around him better. He’s the ultimate connector.
Think about the spacing. Julius Randle, if he were still there, or even a healthy OG Anunoby, would benefit immensely from Jokic's passing vision. He could catch-and-shoot threes all day long. Mitchell Robinson, or whoever is at the five, could focus purely on screening and rebounding. Jokic would essentially become the offensive system. He'd alleviate so much pressure from Brunson, allowing him to pick his spots more effectively, rather than constantly creating against set defenses. His defensive limitations, while present, are often overstated; he's a smart positional defender and a phenomenal rebounder, grabbing 12.4 boards per game this past season. He wouldn't be asked to chase guards around screens, but rather anchor the paint and direct traffic, something he does well.
“The offensive possibilities with Jokic running a Thibs-coached team are staggering,” one anonymous scout told me. “He’d unlock so much for Brunson, for their shooters. It would instantly make them a top-three offense in the league, no question. You put that kind of passer with a coach who demands defensive effort, and you’ve got something truly special.”
The Elephant in the Room: Money and Assets
This is where the fantasy hits reality. Jokic signed a five-year, $264 million supermax extension that kicked in last season. He's due roughly $51.4 million in 2024-25, $55.3 million in 2025-26, and $59.2 million in 2026-27, with a player option for $63.1 million in 2027-28. That's a massive contract, and any team acquiring him would need to send back significant salary.
The Knicks have assets, though. They own their own first-round picks, plus multiple future firsts from the Mavericks, Pistons, and Wizards. That's a treasure trove. From a salary perspective, they'd likely have to send out a combination of players like Julius Randle ($30.3 million next season), Bojan Bogdanovic ($19 million team option), and perhaps even some of their younger, lower-paid talent to make the numbers work. It wouldn't be easy. A trade package would likely involve Randle, multiple unprotected first-round picks, and perhaps a young player like Quentin Grimes or Miles McBride.
Think about the Damian Lillard trade to Milwaukee. The Bucks sent out Jrue Holiday, multiple first-round picks, and pick swaps. That was for a 33-year-old guard. Jokic is 29, in his prime, and a center. The asking price would be astronomical, likely eclipsing anything we've seen in recent memory for a player not on a rookie deal. The 76ers wouldn't just be looking to dump salary; they'd be looking to retool around Joel Embiid with a haul of picks and a proven starter.
Impact on Both Sides of the Deal
For the Knicks, acquiring Jokic would immediately vault them into true championship contention. They’d go from a gritty, overachieving playoff team to a legitimate Finals favorite. The pressure would be immense, but the upside is generational. It would fundamentally change the franchise's standing in the league. They'd have two top-10 talents, a deep bench, and a coaching staff that maximizes effort. My slightly controversial opinion? I think Thibs would be the perfect coach to keep Jokic engaged defensively, pushing him just enough to make a real difference on that end.
For the 76ers, losing Jokic would be devastating in the short term, but could set them up for a fascinating future. If they get multiple unprotected first-round picks, especially from a team like the Knicks who could potentially regress after a few years, that's incredibly valuable. They could use those picks to find another star to pair with Embiid, or to build a deeper, more versatile roster. It would signify a full pivot to a Joel Embiid-centric offense, something they've flirted with but never fully committed to while Jokic was also on the roster. The challenge would be finding enough offensive creation to replace Jokic's 26.4 points and 9.0 assists per game.
Here's the thing: this isn't a likely scenario. But if the 76ers falter, and if Jokic signals any discontent, the Knicks are one of the few teams with the assets and the desire to make a truly audacious move. It's the kind of trade that alters the entire league's power structure.
The Philadelphia Perspective
From Philadelphia's side, a trade of Jokic would be a seismic event. They've built around the two big men for years, a fascinating but sometimes clunky experiment. If they decided to move Jokic, it would signal a complete commitment to Embiid as the undisputed alpha. The return would need to be immense, not just in picks but potentially in a younger star with untapped potential or a proven veteran who fits seamlessly alongside Embiid. They'd need a point guard who can penetrate and create, or a wing who can shoot and defend at a high level. They couldn't afford to just take on salary and picks; they'd need immediate impact, even if it's a step back from Jokic's individual brilliance. They'd be looking to maximize Embiid's remaining prime, not rebuild completely.
“You don’t trade a player like Jokic unless you’re getting a king’s ransom,” an Eastern Conference executive told me. “It would have to be multiple high-value, unprotected firsts, and at least one player who can contribute right away and potentially grow into an All-Star. Otherwise, you’re just giving away a generational talent for nothing.”
Bold Prediction: While it's a long shot, if the 76ers exit the playoffs early again, and the Knicks make a genuinely irresistible offer of three unprotected first-round picks, a pick swap, and Julius Randle, the 76ers will at least seriously consider moving Nikola Jokic by the 2025 trade deadline.