Knicks reportedly trade Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks to Pistons

The New York Knicks traded center Nerlens Noel, guard Alec Burks, a pair of second-round picks and cash to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The deal offloads more than $19 million in salary for the Knicks, which was necessary for the team to have the cap space required to sign Jalen Brunson in free agency. Wojnarowski reported earlier on Tuesday that it's "widely anticipated" that New York will land the Dallas Mavericks point guard on a four-year, $100 million deal.

Noel, 28, joined the Knicks on a one-year deal in November 2020 and signed a three-year, $32 million contract with the team a year later. Last season, he struggled with a foot injury and finished the year averaging 3.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Burks, 30, also joined New York in November 2020 and started a career-high 44 games during the 2021-22 season. He averaged 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

During the 2022 NBA Draft, the Knicks also traded away Kemba Walker to the Pistons, but Detroit is expected to negotiate a buyout with the veteran point guard.

According to Wojnarowski, New York has now cleared about $30 million in cap space this offseason and plans to offer Brunson a deal "in the neighborhood of a max contract."