Steve Popper: Knicks roll over Wizards for 7th straight win as NBA trade deadline draws closer
The Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns shoots the ball against the Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on Feb. 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty Images/Scott Taetsch
WASHINGTON — As the trade deadline grows closer, with rumors of stars on the move, and some already dealt, the thoughts understandably turn to how the Knicks can get the next star.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most dazzling prize. There was talk of Jaren Jackson Jr., who wound up with Utah. James Harden, a sure sign of the deadline approaching, was asking out of the Clippers and got his wish, reportedly sent to Cleveland for Darius Garland.
And the Knicks, riding a seven-game winning streak after a 132-101 victory over the Wizards, would certainly like to be in the mix for the stars, or even have managed, as Minnesota did Tuesday, make a minor move that creates the opening for the bigger move. The Timberwolves made a money-saving three-team deal to help open up space in case they can somehow swing a package for Antetokounmpo. Maybe the Knicks will be pushed to pull the trigger on a deal as they see competitors in the East making moves.
“I’ll be for sure tuned in,” Josh Hart said. “It’s great entertainment for me. I can’t wait for Thursday. It’s fun entertainment because you’re always going to see what’s happening, what’s going on. Be messy. Talk about random trades that are just pointless behind the scenes.”
Even if his name gets in the rumors?
“Might as well,” he said with a smile. “Throw my name out there and see what happens.”
But sometimes minor moves are just minor moves on their own, not a step to a bigger deal. And sometimes those moves can be helpful, too.
Consider the case of Landry Shamet.
The Knicks built their team around a starting five that is balanced and talented. But there was the 23-point performance Sunday against the Lakers, a 36-point explosion earlier this season against Miami and a stingy defensive effort every night. He added an efficient 14 points Tuesday night, one of seven Knicks in double-figures as they built a lead of as many as 41.
Shamet’s search for an NBA home had gone through four franchises. Most recently, he was waived by the Wizards, whom he had not even played a day for, and now he is a key rotation piece for the Knicks. After he was waived in July 2024, the Knicks signed him to a non-guaranteed contract just ahead of training camp. And when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in a preseason game the Knicks waived him, saving themselves some salary-cap space, before signing him three months later for the rest of the season.
“It’s part of the journey,” Shamet said. “There’s highs and lows in this thing. You can’t get caught up on either end of that spectrum. Just take care of your work every day, try to be a good teammate and the rest will take care of itself.”
He was without a contract again this summer until the Knicks signed him before camp, again with a non-guaranteed deal, and again he suffered a shoulder injury. But this time the Knicks kept him in place as he rehabbed, his contract becoming fully guaranteed last month.
So, why was it so hard for him to find a permanent home?
“Yeah, to play devil’s advocate, he’s also a big asset,” Jalen Brunson said. “I think he does a lot for teams. So a lot of teams see that. I think it’s who he’s been. I’ve seen that from afar playing against him and it’s even better playing with him.”
“Obviously he’s had some injuries,” Josh Hart said. “Sometimes unfortunately that aids to kind of moving around. But him being healthy, he’s a great player. He’s something that we’re going to need and rely on. Especially down the stretch. So surprised a little bit. But maybe shouldn’t be surprised.”
There is something to be said for building within, the Knicks improving with the seven straight wins — and suddenly the best defensive team in the NBA over that span. They’ve done it with help up and down the lineup rather than relying on the scoring outbursts from Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Brunson (21 points) and Towns (19 points, 14 rebounds) were on the bench by the time the fourth quarter started, Hart having headed to the locker room shortly before that with a left ankle injury.
Maybe it’s coincidence that it came after one of the worst performances of the season — a one-sided loss to Dallas at home that capped a stretch of nine losses in 11 games — and there were reports that Brunson called for a players-only meeting after that game.
But the Knicks have insisted that the report was erroneous and Brunson clarified it Tuesday morning.
“It wasn’t really a team meeting,” Brunson said. “It was just me voicing my opinion after the game against Dallas. It wasn’t me calling a team meeting. We meet after games. I said something before coach walked in. That’s it.”
There were no lineup changes, no roster changes and no major trades. The Knicks just started to play the way that they were supposed to play.
Notes & quotes: Rookie Mo Diawara sprained his left ankle in the first quarter and did not return, coming out after halftime to test it on the court, but then retreating to the locker room... Guerschon Yabusele, who the Knicks have shopped to try to clear his salary space, remains on hold as the deadline approaches. A report surfaced out of Europe that he was possibly going to sign to play in Israel. "I ain’t closing no door on nothing," he said. "I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know what tomorrow’s going to be. So right now I can tell you nothing has been discussed or signed or anything like that. I’m a Knicks player at the end of the day."
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
