Knicks Trade Idea Would Send McBride for Noah Clowney

The Brooklyn Nets could have an interesting decision to make with Noah Clowney as the 2026-27 season gets underway.

Clowney is coming off the best season of his young NBA career, averaging 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while knocking down 2.0 three-pointers per game in 27.0 minutes across 60 starts. The 22-year-old showed plenty of promise as a versatile frontcourt player, but his role could look different this season after Brooklyn added Julius Randle and Moritz Wagner to a frontcourt that already includes Day'Ron Sharpe.

That uncertainty has led to some questions about Clowney's long-term future with the Nets, especially with restricted free agency waiting for him next summer.

One recent trade proposal from Heavy Sports takes that situation a step further, sending Clowney across town to the New York Knicks in exchange for Miles "Deuce" McBride and Pacôme Dadiet.

For New York, the fit is pretty easy to see. Clowney would give the Knicks another big man who can stretch the floor while providing the versatility to play both forward and center. He could see minutes behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond while also giving the Knicks another option in lineups alongside Towns.

Clowney's ability to shoot from the outside would be particularly valuable. He made 2.0 threes per game last season, giving him a skill set that could fit nicely into New York's offense.

The Nets, meanwhile, would be adding a player who could immediately provide some stability to a young backcourt.

McBride is entering the final season of his three-year, $13 million contract and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The 26-year-old has spent his entire five-year NBA career with the Knicks after being selected 36th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

He also appears to have no shortage of motivation heading into the season.

McBride recently admitted that he was disappointed that he and the Knicks had not reached an extension agreement, making it clear that he would prefer to remain in New York.

"I want to be in New York," McBride told the New York Daily News. "I'd love to get something done."

McBride is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 12.0 points while shooting 41.3% from three, despite being limited to 41 games because of injuries.

For Brooklyn, adding McBride could make sense from both a basketball and roster perspective.

The Nets are expected to rely heavily on young guards Egor Demin, Mikel Brown Jr., and Nolan Traore, but adding a proven NBA rotation guard like McBride would give Jordi Fernández another experienced option in the backcourt. McBride's defensive toughness and ability to knock down outside shots could also make him a useful veteran presence on one of the NBA's youngest rosters.

The inclusion of Dadiet is also notable. New York has reportedly been looking for ways to move the 23-year-old forward as it manages its roster and luxury-tax situation. Including him in a deal for Clowney would give the Knicks a way to address their frontcourt while also clearing a roster spot.

For the Nets, the bigger question is what Clowney's future looks like.

As discussed previously, Clowney moving back to the bench could become one of the more important storylines surrounding Brooklyn this season. After starting 60 games last year, he could see a different role with Randle and Wagner now in the picture.

That does not necessarily mean the Nets should move him.

Clowney remains one of Brooklyn's more intriguing young players, and his age, shooting ability, and defensive versatility make him a valuable piece of the team's future. But with restricted free agency approaching, the Nets will eventually have to determine how much they are willing to invest in him.

A trade for McBride would give Brooklyn a different type of asset.

Instead of committing significant money to another young frontcourt player, the Nets could bring in an established guard who could immediately help their young core. McBride would also have an opportunity to take on a larger role in Brooklyn than he has had with the Knicks, potentially giving him the chance to prove he can become a full-time starter.

There is a case to be made for both sides of this hypothetical.

The Knicks would be betting on Clowney's upside and his ability to fit into a championship-caliber rotation. The Nets would be betting that McBride's experience, defense, and shooting can help accelerate a young team while giving Clowney's minutes and future contract to someone else.

It is far too early to say the Nets are actually considering such a move, but if Clowney's role continues to change this season, his name could become an interesting one to watch ahead of the trade deadline.