The Truth About The Karl-Anthony Towns Trade

[@djskinny718]

The Knicks are not handicapped... They are set up to be able to keep Brunson, KAT, O.G, Mikal and Hart for the next 4yrs and stay under the apron. They have the best capologist in the league Brock Aler who have made this roster possible under the new CBA restrictions

[@maartenvz]

Doesnt that depend on the salary bridges commands?

[@DeeJay_VII]

@@maartenvzyea it does

[@PhyuckYiu2]

@@maartenvzthe rumor is he’ll take the same pay cut as Brunson to maintain space for pickups down the line

[@charm1566]

@@PhyuckYiu2 They'll give them property assets (gift them a loft/house) and endorsements (paid appearances in the city) to make up for the salary cut. Every team does it... the but is if they underperform with this roster construction. Alot of talent on NY now, but if they slip well below their defensive rating from last season I don't know if they crack top 3 in the east. Luckily they dodging that first apron, so they got some moves after this season

[@voidud]

And Knicks as of today still under the 2nd apron. Brock Aller the GAWD

[@playcost]

Not gonna lie as a celtics fan this is probably a 7 game series between the Knicks and the Celtics

[@gabrielromero808]

Depends on KP's health. Knicks in 6 if KP isn't playing starter minutes

[@playcost]

@@gabrielromero808 Also depends on knicks players health if any of them go down it's a wrap

[@Lenrom12]

You are smoking sherm buddy

[@Velveteenvision]

@@gabrielromero808the Celtics proved they don’t even need KP to win games tho, they won most Playoff games without him easily

[@Velveteenvision]

Really? I can’t see that happening for some reason. I feel like the Celtics would win in 5-6.. probably 5

[@shorewall]

If you want to ding them for injury risk, then I never want to hear Embiid's name again, or the 76ers. Any team can have an injury. And every team is hoping to stay healthy. Just grade them assuming health, because obviously if key guys go down, then they are not gonna go far. And if the Knicks are healthy, then they are absolutely contenders. The Nuggets won with barely a 7 man rotation, and I don't see people saying the Celtics have great depth. When you have a great starting 5, that is your depth. You mix and match to keep most of your talent on the court at any time.

[@yahirzavala-nm9ur]

The 76ers are always getting dinged on injuries tho what are you talkin about ? Do you just like yappin? Look at any 76ers video the main concern is always “if they’re healthy”

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@yahirzavala-nm9ur This goes for any team that has primary players that are an injury risk. I think giving examples of teams that don't have this problem is quicker than listing the teams that do. Don't get mad if I forget one of your favorite players, but out of the top primary guys, basically only Jokic, SGA, Brunson, Ant, Tatum, Brown, Curry and Luka (although he often plays with/through injuries) have been healthy for most of the last few seasons. Every other big name has had at least some time off.

[@youngnas15]

Knicks aren’t contenders stop wolfing lil bro

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@youngnas15 That is a very unrealistic critical take. Spicy, but I don't think it holds any ground. Knicks are potentially the best team now, just not very deep.

[@kooligan500]

⁠@@yahirzavala-nm9uryou arguing with yourself ? You agreed with what they said if you haven’t realized yet

[@mikeonawave821]

dont overthink it. the bulls were an insane defence with vuc at center. i think kat would be fine as far as hes not in drop coverage. anunoby and mikal bridges would carry. but when robinson or achiwa is in, they can tilt back to their more traditional defensive roles

[@michaelahurt]

The Bulls were a different animal. NY has great defenders but none of them pressure the ball like Lonzo + Caruso That said you're correct. I think people really underrate how important those help defenders are to protecting guys in the action and NY's wings are going to shrink the floor. Plus all the guards/wings are very smart defenders, including Brunson, and will be able to pull off complicated switches around KAT But I probably trust Towns more in a very deep drop -- rim protection is his best skill on defense -- more than out on the perimeter. He looked like a chicken with its head cut off against Dallas. The key with him is keeping it simple so he's not making a lot of reads.

[@richcantgame]

Imagine KAT is reinvigorated and somehow hits another level. Turns an already good team into an all timer.

[@marco5030]

Knicks aren't as good as the Celtics, let alone an all-timer

[@pinobluevogel6458]

I think the knicks match up well with the Celtics, they already did last year .. but they got completely wrecked by injury.

[@finessefulj8489]

I've been saying this everywhere but he definitely can hit another level if he loses weight and builds muscle. He's actually looks out of shape and needs the same type of jabs that Joel and Zion got to push them to get into shape

[@ididntaskverified3663]

It's muscle that isn't athletic enough to guard 2 and 3 but not strong enough to dealt with 4 and 5 without drop coverage

[@jbossmantv]

@@marco5030how do you know they aren’t as good? The season hasn’t started, Jrue and Horford are another year older…

[@adampeters9684]

KAT’s image rehab narrative shift is gonna make me sick, dude was clowned and shit on constantly for his entire career and the second he leaves MN and goes to NY everyone starts doing tricks on it lol

[@d.williams2389]

Maybe because his IQ and tunnel vision gets him in trouble. In minny he was asked to do too much. In new he just needs to be a 3 and D center

[@josephrafferty6763]

Uhhh… have you seen what the NY media does to players? If he has one of his disappearing games, he’s getting crucified…

[@nydibs]

KAT and Rudy regularly got clowned, but last year everyone was saying the wolves are stacked and have so much talent Now they trade KAT and everyone says they are a lottery team. It makes no sense. Were they stacked or not

[@RJLKMRD]

He's one of the biggest puzzles in NBA history, his talent is absolutely unquestionable, he's incredibly talented

[@RJLKMRD]

​@@d.williams2389his IQ is off the charts, that's really not the problem with KAT, he just gets in his own head...

[@NguyenNguyen-xv8li]

THE GOAT HAS RETURNED WITH ANOTHER BANGER!

[@TheeKing7]

I'm hyped for this season

[@Book.of.Treason]

Im not even this early to work💀

[@Brooklynquietmoney]

😂😂😂

[@Ataraxia_Atom]

This video aged well. Kat is smoking hot in NY

[@michaelahurt]

To be fair Boston is just shallow as NY and has their own share of injury risk. Also the fact Boston is fairly static on offense helps NY. The Knicks are one of the few teams with the wings to match up up with Boston's wings and letting their center (KAT) hang out with KP above the break won't hurt their defense like it does most teams. (It might help.) They can definitely turn it into a rock fight and if they can, well there are few guys you want in that type of series more than Brunson.

[@kr4qqen127]

i love you’re videos man :)

[@zackhalilovic4753]

thibs moved away from deeo drop coverage last season, the bigs would play alot closer to the level, so i dont think theyd employ kat like that

[@michaelahurt]

Meaning enoloy KAT in deep drop or at the level? He's better in a deep drop. He can't change direction fast enough to play at the level and he doesn't read the game fast enough to hedge-and-switch out like Jokic. Meanwhile he's not a great rim protector or anything but he's not a bad one either. I think NY is going to scram switch a TON though. Actually getting Brunson and KAT in the action together is gonna take 16-18 seconds

[@MarkG998]

Why not start Achiwa instead of Hart? He would be in the dunker's spot and he acts as the rim protector on defence. Hart comes off the bench as the do it all energy 6th man. So the lineup is Brunson, Bridges, OG, Kat and Precious. Precious can hold the fort until Robinson comes back!

[@k.b.7718]

Cuz Achiuwa is, no offense, a way worse overall player than Hart with next to no offensive game at all. And Hart has emerged as one of the elite rebounding SG/SF who does a lot of work around the rim.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

To be fair to Precious Achiuwa, he didn't shoot well from 3 at all his entire career, but he is a very solid defender. He is just more sized as a PF or Wing at 6'8, not a center, which is the main problem. If he had the same skillset and build but was 7 feet, or close to it, he would be fine as a backup option. He doesn't offer much spacing, but he is a little more dynamic and quick as a scoring option than Mitchell is. Oh and Josh Hart is better in every way but size and pure strength. He is the best rebounding guard in the league, can play 50 minutes and still perform and has enough defense, playmaking and scoring to always be super useful.

[@k.b.7718]

@@pinobluevogel6458 100% agree

[@MarkG998]

@@k.b.7718 Hart averages 9ppg on 8fga which is woefully inefficient. He doesn't provide spacing. Let's not act like Hart is some world beater on offence. In any case though in a purely side by side comparison I'm not saying Precious is better but I am saying that Precious fills a hole in NY's back line defence that Hart can't. He can't provide the much needed rim protection that Precious can.

[@MarkG998]

@@pinobluevogel6458 but the issue was rim protection and Achiwua gives you that, Hart can't. Precious is 6/8 but he has a 7'2 wingspan!

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Jaylen Brown BREAKDOWN you're next video Hoop Venue 😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤😤

[@montygranito]

the knicks turned a backup center ( ihart) into an elite pay day. Imagine what they are going to do with KAT

[@pinobluevogel6458]

While I like this comment, I do think most of the praise should go to I-Hart himself and to Brunson as well, who made him look a lot better than he already is. Hartenstein basically busted his ass off in the playoffs, being a very reliable option for them.

[@meursault.1984]

its easier to flip a lower value player than flipping an already high value player - this is basic finance.

[@nydibs]

Hartenstein hustles and plays way harder than KAT does

[@yaboiconnor6599]

Precious achiuwa was actually a solid backup for the Knicks last season he was able to space the floor sometimes. He played with a lot of heart

[@mambaASI]

I think too much is being made about knicks defense with KAT at the 5. They'll still have a top 10 defense. Offense should be top 3. Also if they're not contenders, who is exactly? Keep in mind, celtics are not just contenders they are outright favorites. So to be a contender doesn't mean you are the favorite, it means you have a chance to beat the favorite. If that isn't the knicks in the east, I guess celtics just gonna steam roll the east again? Cuz no one else in the east has a better shot. Sixers and bucks have the same injury/depth issues actually even worse since their star players are injury prone whereas knicks role players are injury prone. Cavs aren't much of a threat healthy or not.

[@Pokepoketpoke]

Dude thank you. Can't believe hoop venue said kat isn't much of a vertical threat. He has like a 36.5 inch vert or something, from a big strong center They have 2 secondary rim protectors in their starting lineup And say what you will about brunson but he's a hell of a good charge drawer

[@Luciandl1]

@@Pokepoketpoke he's not much of a vertical threat. OG is a respectable rim protector but nothing crazy. It's fair to question some things. Losing IHart really screwed them

[@dearmas9068]

The Knicks got worse in every way except for outside shooting.

[@dearmas9068]

The Cavs are THE threat. Its Boston and Cleveland at the top of the East this year. Yall casuals need to pay attention...

[@k.b.7718]

@@dearmas9068 I'm taking that bet against the Cavs!

[@gugga2745]

people also heavily underrate brunsons as a driver. hes been top 5 in floaters attempted and fg% and drives attempted and fg% for the past 2 years. giving him more space allows him to operate and pick which shot he wants on all 3 level

[@dezperado618c8]

Great analysis

[@realking4918]

great breakdown

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Karl-Anthony Towns 🔥🔥🔥

[@bluechox]

You’re complaining about our defense… but this would be the same case with Randall… so talk about the improvement made

[@Java42069]

pretty much every team in the east especially the nicks have to pray the heat get out of the play-in and beat boston lol

[@redhood629]

Ngl I was skeptical that is was a lose lose trade but this vid convinced me that the Knicks won the trade. Wolves offense will get worser than it already was bc Randle is much worse shooter than KAT. But he does offer the Wolves a second shot creator that KAT didn’t really provide

[@ChristopherAnderson-d1w]

Randle slowdown the game. Stop

[@dearmas9068]

Knicks definitely lost that trade

[@eyablonovsky]

NY almost never used drop coverage last year. They were always hedging and pushing up into the ball handler. I believe in Thibs and his defensive philosophy. The biggest concern is depth and injuries. If they don’t get injured this year like last year, the Knicks are going farther than they have in years.

[@jasonmadinya7759]

i think the knicks were really good last at rotating and not getting burned for it. if kat can do a decent job showing high and eventually recovering down low the other guys can still disrupt the offense. even jalens been good at stepping over and getting in the way. it wont necessarily be straight forward for teams to take advantage of kat in the pnr

[@chrishunt9675]

Now it comes down to drafting the right pieces to fill in the roster. Not sure what they have left

[@KingKacey]

You should do a video on why Jalen Williams struggled in the Dallas series. I’m a huge thunder fan and can’t really see what Dallas did to slow him down

[@pinobluevogel6458]

From my experience they simply locked off the rim as much as they could. SGA still operated as a very efficient midrange shooter, but I don't think J-Dub is that capable or that flexible as a scorer to counteract it. He will improve, but most of current scoring potential is still coming from catch and shoot 3's (which he shoots really well) and driving lanes. (which he is elite at as well) He looked insanely good in the Pelican's series. They don't have that insane rim deterrence of a shotblocking center and with Herb on SGA and Dyson not playing many minutes, they basically had no perfect defender to put on him. Marshall did a great job on him from the bench, but Jalen is simply a bit too quick and too strong for anyone else but those 3.

[@TurtleLakeRd]

Everyone who leaves Timberwolves wins a Championship. Garnet, Love, Wiggins

[@princeapryde22]

Precious starting in the dunker spot could also work and allow Josh to balance out the rotation on the second unit,

[@princeapryde22]

Going to sprinkle a Brunson mvp bet. Brunsons defender is going to be on an island.

[@yourstruly3820]

Keep goin ❤❤

[@BoolatGuzairov]

Show me the 7footer/starting center who’s not an injury prone (except Jokic who’s one of a kind in any context). We have multiple JJJ, Porzingis, KAT and Robinsons vs 1 Gobert.

[@williamrivera4191]

You don’t know ball. Thank you for your opinion though

[@KennyFrierson]

Maybe they put OG on the center sometimes and Kat on the power forward

[@codeblue6925]

15:55 Honestly as a knicks fan, i entirely trust brunson to play 40+ minutes a game, hes just absolutely that type of player whos gonna always give the game his all, Kinda like what russ has been doing for the past decade

[@k.b.7718]

Outstanding job analysing this roster and doing it in an easy to understand way! Subbed! Cheers, mate!

[@dearmas9068]

@@k.b.7718 you definitely do need things that are easy to understand. THAT part is at least true...

[@Idkig25]

Why is robinson starting

[@mxchael9931]

@7:39 there's isnt a defense that can take away all those options me- um don't the magic have the personal to neturalize this offense

[@danbash]

I'm happy with this new squad and think theres more small moves to be made. My question why couldnt they resign brunson to his superstar discount price then trade for Bridges and give a bigger offer to Hartenstein

[@cerwindhaynes1866]

Knicks were capped as to the max they can offer due to owning his Early Bird rights.

[@samuelvillanueva9956]

Mcbribe and sims will play very important roles

[@thegoatproduction6054]

Mitchell out for the season sucks but they still gonna be fun to watch this season, the floor more open for the lil monster Brunson to work

[@MarquisPosey]

I think this will mess with a lot of chem,I think both teams should’ve just held off on such a big trade like this but I’m open to see what both teams will do🤷🏽‍♂️

[@mrankles7465]

Yeah same very excited very pumped for it, can’t wait!

[@nessdagoat]

The new CBA gave the middle finger to chemistry. We’re going to see more moves like this soon.

[@keithgrant-fn9tg]

We only need a center..so we gut the team to get a shooting center..this can't be real

[@rnarine89]

@@keithgrant-fn9tghow is this gutting the team? Randle was a no show in the playoffs, and was out half of last year. We did fine without him. We were running a lineup of Brunson divo hart OG and ihart in the semis, we now have a lineup of Brunson mikal hart OG towns….

[@OvertIntelligence]

Drug test

[@ghost6298]

I hate when these KZbinrs talk about one team being injury prone like no team suffer from injury what a joke take

[@firefly611]

Contract is not bad Kat actually has a tradable contract that will age well in next 2 seasons and he’s still young.

[@airborne_seal]

If they’re going to trade Robinson, I hope they trade him for a vet big like a Steven Adams or an Andre Drummond - someone who can protect the rim and rebound at a high rate while also being on a smaller, cheaper contract than Robinson. Behind KAT, I don’t really think you need anything more than a 15-min rim running big… maybe Robinson could fill that role, help with the injuries, but they’d be better off trading for someone else, potentially even another rotation piece like a Delon Wright (3&D, lead the 2nd unit) or a Reggie Jackson (playmaker who can be 6th man and take some ball pressure off of JB).

[@pinobluevogel6458]

Steven Adams, while definitely a great center option that can make pocket passes, use his size and rebound really well, is probably just as much if not more injury prone currently than Mitchell is. Drummond is a perfect fit to what Philly needs, so they are not going to trade him. Similary, Delon Wright is a much, much needed perimeter defender in Milwaukee, he isn't going anywhere either. Sure, you can probably get them if you offer enough, but that price isn't going to be worth the value they get in return. As for Reggie, I don't really like him. He really showed he isn't good enough of a playmaker in Denver, he basically is more of a shooting option that plays well of other playmakers. For sure an improvement over Cam Payne probably, but they should get a real PG option to cover the 2nd unit, or just try Deuce McBride and see if he can handle it. He looked quite good in the playoffs last year.

[@airborne_seal]

@@pinobluevogel6458 Adams has only recently had a couple major injuries so they could easily roll the dice on him especially if they bring another piece back or simply just to lower their salaries. Drummond and Wright aren’t realistic targets considering they’re on direct rival teams but players with a similar archetype are where they need to focus, I just couldn’t think of other names. Reggie has just signed with the 76ers so even if they want him they can’t sign him till mid-season, however he would be the perfect complement to Brunson (at least for the regular season) as he is similarly a ball-dominant shot creator, rather than a playmaker as u correctly pointed out. He’s not an elite player by any means but rather a decent role player who would be able to play a little bit as a secondary ball handler, primarily in the game when Brunson sits, likely also sharing a handful of minutes too. McBride seems more like an off-ball player, fitting that sort of Donte role, so I think the Knicks would be wise to find a different option to lead the 2nd unit, especially considering Cam Payne is not much of anything and Shamet is a shooter not a ball handler. I imagine a 2nd unit would be a shot-creating PG, McBride, Hart/OG/Mikal, Precious then whatever backup big they have (Robinson or otherwise). Still would be a solid 9-10 man rotation, at least for the regular season, and can easily cut to 7 or 8 in the playoffs (starting 5 + McBride, backup PG, backup big). Sure Thibs will have some lineup decisions to make tho that’s for sure.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@airborne_seal I can see your points. I don't think McBride is a horrible ball handler, he did some of it in the playoffs and technically he is listed as a PG, just very inexperienced comparatively. On paper your 9-10 man rotation looks like a good idea and a good starting place. However, we all know Thibs is not going to field a 9-10 man rotation, not even in the regular season. The man just can't help himself :)

[@airborne_seal]

@@pinobluevogel6458 haha not wrong, Thibs has always been a bit stubborn

[@jaked.7230]

See ya Julius. Knicks are real contenders now.

[@dearmas9068]

Lol...

[@ObiObiamalu]

I need a prime Russ or prime hibachi vid

[@artLopez24]

Celtics showed how op it is to have a big that can pick and pop at an elite level which also allows them to play 5 out…Knicks will now be able to do the same…Knicks vs Celtics conference finals will be great

[@ihaveamigraine9694]

4:11 Giraffe not gon put a hand up?

[@juliovext999]

😂😂😂

[@jakoreyaj]

Definitely under-selling cam payne and shamet. Both should be solid for a few buckets and they're not dog water on defense. Paired with precious and mcbride it should be passable

[@a3per818]

He did NOT undersell them lol, they indeed are dog water on defense

[@pinobluevogel6458]

For sure, I don't think they are good defenders by NBA standards at all. Cam Payne and Shamet are both good shooters, Shamet you could call a specialist even, but outside of a bit of playmaking from Cam Payne and some speed, they don't offer a whole lot else. I'm not saying that situationally they can't be used, it is just that they will bleed too much on defense if they field those guys for too long.

[@jakoreyaj]

@pinobluevogel6458 very possible but i do think their will always be 2 positive rated defenders on the court with them at all times, which will definitely help them stay sound on defense. Both players can get hot quick too so im hoping they can help the team in the long run. Knicks are very top heavy but it could be a great run.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@jakoreyaj It would help the Knicks if they can add value. The culture the Knicks have had on the team certainly is good, maybe it helps them perform better. I saw a lot of Cam Payne on the Suns and even though he had one of his best years there, he was a liability often enough too. Shamet is a little different, he is legit good as a shooter, but he is limited otherwise. That type of player can certainly situationally be good, but I think I can name 10 other players that offer the same level of shooting or better, while also adding other skills. I'm expecting at least McBride to be good and Achiuwa to be situationally useful. With Mitchell, that is already an 8 player rotation, that is not bad at all. The Nuggets managed a championship with a 7 man rotation and were still strong with a 6 man version last year.

[@leonbouadi7382]

Payne Shamet and Achiuwa are good role players

[@Jruemac15]

That’s why they got Tyler kolek and will play Precious and sims will be better and Mitch when he comes back but it looks like they are trading him for Murphy for wing depth and rely on the kids

[@l.wilson3484]

They have OG and Mikal, two of the best if not THE BEST wing defenders in basketball. The defense will be okay

[@dearmas9068]

Yeah, they should easily stop the 3 ball every night... right?...

[@dirjon4u]

Do you really think that shooting was not a priority of the Knicks or were they just not able to get the players they wanted and had to work with what was available?

[@kevinsommers0704]

Finally an opinion from someone that clearly knows basketball this was a championship move from the Knicks. Each move was intentionally done to contend with those teams who are in contention in their conference

[@robertdavezac]

I think you basically hit every high point and concern that I have about the team. Boston is still the better team, but NY is giving themselves what the recently-fired best analyst in the NBA would call "a puncher's chance". The offense should be incredible and I'm on board with the idea that OG and Mikal can paper over mistakes on the defensive end that Brunson and KAT will contribute to. I don't think KAT's actually terrible on that end, he's just...subpar, and his offensive output can outweigh his defensive liabilities. Hart plays much bigger than his size for rebounding, which is tertiarily a big deal. I think health is the only thing that can keep them off at least a conference finals. They're thin, but Brunson/Hart/Bridges/OG/KAT just has too much juice on both sides of the ball to not go far.

[@donnellf8621]

Jb/Bridges/Og/Kat/Mitch

[@chukwuemekaenemmuo1385]

this was a great trade, I just think they should’ve kept dante

[@Velveteenvision]

I feel like they would’ve been better off keeping Hartenstein and Dante with the addition of Mikal ? Shame they had to get rid of two really great players

[@shorewall]

They wanted to keep I-Hart, but couldn't offer him as much as OKC did. I think with him on the team, they don't make this trade. But once he was gone, and with Mitchell injured, this trade was the best way to go forward.

[@rickjames7483]

The Knicks could only offer I-Hart 71 million for 3 years because they didn't have his draft rights nor traded for him. Many teams are becoming victims to the new CBA: see Denver and the biggest reason The Wolves traded KAT. The NBA wants parity. Boston was able to re-signed their best players, since they drafted or traded for them.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

For sure Hartenstein, Randle and DiVincenzo would have been far better than KAT. The only reason they are trading for KAT now, is because they lost Hartenstein to the Thunder for no good reason.

[@michaelahurt]

Yeah as others have said they literally were not allowed to keep Hartenstein because of the CBA. The max NY could offer was $72.5m/4 and OKC paid him $87m/3 There was nothing NY could do.

[@rickjames7483]

@@pinobluevogel6458 "for no good reason"? Have you not read the comments stating that the Knicks couldn't offer what OKC did, because of the new CBA???? If The Knicks could, they would have signed him.

[@andymeissner8727]

“Giannis Antetokounmbo” 😂

[@ronaldmoses3440]

I wish they would’ve traded I hart and Randle last year and kept Divo 😢

[@dominiclee5786]

I get that NYK front office wanted KAT so bad but I would have offered Minnesota Timberwolves Julius Randle and 2 First Round picks, 3 if they declined. Donte DiVincenzo is staying put!

[@k.b.7718]

They needed to include him for salary reasons, couldn't take on more contract money than they had.

[@kgtd2160]

I believe the knicks will learn how important things like boxing out, defensive rebounding, setting screens, making decisions on the short roll aka big man stuff is to have on a big man 😂 KAT isn't good at any of the above. If he can outweigh all of those things with his shooting, that would be great.

[@krysis54]

KAT is better than hartenstein, and provides more PPG than Dante. On defense the Knicks can hide him. In the east, there's only Giannis and embiid. The Knicks are better than the bucks and 6ers

[@alexacutiepie8600]

LMAO Knicks are no better than Bucks or Sixers

[@ERizzo5]

@@alexacutiepie8600Knicks just beat the sixers without Randle 😂

[@kgtd2160]

@@krysis54 Sure, KAT can be a better player than Hartenstein, but IHart is ways better at doing center things than KAT. His rebounding and screen setting need no explanation and he's a really good passer on the short roll that can hit cutters on the baseline. The Knicks need a center, not an oversized wing player playing center just because he's big. KAT's only gimmick on offense are the 3s and drive ins. His drive ins are a mixed bag with mixed results since a lot of the times they end up in a turnover or a missed shot that leads to a fast break. If this was a guard or a perimeter player doing this, then the transition defense would still be fine since there are always at least 2 bigs defending the rim to challenge an easy layup. However, with KAT lying down on the floor looking at the refs, the team is forced to play 4v5 a lot of possessions which lead to an easy bucket and a furious head coach timeout. I don't think you can hide KAT on defense if you expect him to play him at the 5. He would either have to play drop coverage, which he sucks at historically, or play a switch heavy scramble type defense. KAT has proven he is quite good at switching, but if he plays around 40 some minutes a night like a typical Thibs player, I seriously doubt his stamina and focus. Also, alongside the fact that he hasn't been the ironman he was like the beginning of his career, I fear he may have durability issues down the season. Respectfully with all the talent on the Knicks, Giannis and Embiid would drop an efficient 50 a night if they would have to play against a KAT anchored defense. I've seen it too many times for my liking.

[@OBJYN788]

@@kgtd2160 the only think hartenstein does better than KAT is his rebounding and rim presence. Literally that’s it. I’d say KAT is a slightly better passer and has a higher IQ but in terms of offense KAT outclasses Hartenstein in almost every single fashion.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

Great video. I do not fully agree with your takes, especially how they stack up against the other top 3 teams in the east. Philly is going to be more of a problem due to having no real answer for Embiid or Maxey. They basically rely on Mitchell to be healthy and capable enough to stop Embiid and use Mikal against Maxey and hope he can stay close enough to bother him with his length. Similary, they will have issues stopping Giannis. He is simply too large to truly stop with any player but Mitchell or KAT and both are too slow and KAT is not good enough of a defender anyways. At least Dame isn't as ridiculously fast as Maxey, but he is very crafty, has better playmaking and infinite range on his shot. Lastly, while I think Boston is still the favorite for the top east team in a vacuum, I think their matchup is a lot worse against these new Knicks. Their players are very switchable and solid, but like they run KP themselves, they have no true answer for KAT either. Brunson is extremely hard to stop in tight spaces and the Knicks will simply outwork and outgrind the Celtics if the game is anywhere close. Also, Boston's main offense runs through 2 wings and the Knicks have 2 of the best wing defenders in the league to match up with them. If Tatum or Brown couldn't be very efficient last year, wait until they have Mikal and OG on them for most of the game, that is going to be ugly.

[@5un50utPr05]

Celtics Knicks conference finals and I think these Knicks are gonna be scary

[@dearmas9068]

Lol, the Knicks got worse. The Cavs are the real threat.

[@5un50utPr05]

@@dearmas9068 literally like every Knicks player from Guard to big is a 40% 3pt shooter... And they have one of the best driving guards in the league in Brunson. KAT spaces the floor and adds size its a steal for the Knicks, Randle wasnt a great shooter or passer

[@dearmas9068]

@@5un50utPr05 yeah? Is that what makes a team? Drive and kick, 3 point shooting, and a little bit of perimiter defense? You got worse.

[@5un50utPr05]

@@dearmas9068 I mean, that's what the Celtics did last season

[@5un50utPr05]

@@dearmas9068 sounds like you are real bitter, Im a Kings fan looking at them from the outside. these Knicks look scary

[@bogog5517]

Gl not being able to double/triple team Brunson this year…. Jeeeez

[@Jovanizzz]

I said this Kat is iHart with a 3 pointer

[@AOE0619]

They will miss Isiah Hartenstein

[@OBJYN788]

The Knicks made Isaiah Hartenstein…

[@bogog5517]

True and true^^

[@dearmas9068]

​@@OBJYN788 you are so clueless, son

[@dearmas9068]

They just panicked and scrambled to make up for the massive loss of Heart. And now they're worse for it.

[@OBJYN788]

@@dearmas9068 uh yes they did though. Hartenstein increased his production in every statistical category on the Knicks versus his entire career. You think it’s a coincidence that the Knicks signed him to a 2/16 million dollar deal and after those two years he gets 3 year 87 million dollars? He was a below average role player when he signed with us and we turned him into the 29 million per year player today. Never speak about this sport again.

[@coreyhockett2214]

I Rarely Disagree with you but I think that you are severely underestimating Precious Achuwa And The Addition Of Landry Shamet. If Marcus Morris Didnt Get Waived, we would of had a decent bench unit even without Divencenzo.

[@pinobluevogel6458]

Achiuwa is certainly a playable bench player, a good defender and plays a lot bigger than his size. Shamet is a good shooter, but not much else. Even with Marcus Morris included, In no way are they even coming close to what DiVincenzo offered though. That dude took 11 threes per game at some point, shooting efficiently. In the playoffs he shot over 8 of them a game, at 42.5%. That is Steph Curry / Damian Lillard level of shooting we are talking about. He could have been really hot, but for sure if you shoot so many threes at such a high clip, you will not regress to a bad shooter.

[@seds94]

Mitchell Robinson will come back in January

[@seds94]

Also cam Payne is in his prime right now. Also shot 40% from three in playoffs. Don't even get me started on Miles McBride. Elite perimeter defender. Ask curry bout him

[@realtalk2046]

Jalen Brunson is the best value player in the league

[@PhilipP-gr3ze]

day 2 of asking for a naz reid video

[@ThereGoTyyy]

Knicks vs Celtics ECF

[@dearmas9068]

Lol

[@Will-db6vs]

I think the knicks defense CAN be similar to the bulls defense in 2022 for that half season with lonzo and caruso. U had demar, zach lavine and vucevic as the rim protector but caruso and lonzo on the perimiter. Even with vuc not being a very good defender that was still a top 5 defense. I also think Mikal and OG are probably a better defensive package than lonzo and caruso

[@michaelahurt]

Different defenders. Lonzo and Caruso are super disruptive point-of-attack defenders who apply a ton of ball pressure. Them and Suggs are on a different level. Bridges is a great POA defender but he tends to be more positionally sound and nowhere near as aggressive. OG is more disruptive than Bridges because of his physicality but he's not a guy who can mirror jitterbug guards and apply that ball pressure 35 feet from the basket -- one of the downsides of being 240 pounds. He uses his strength to be able to switch and short circuit offenses that way. And Hart plays that way as well. I think you'll see something closer to how GS played or how Boston played with IT, Kyrie and Kemba where they will scram switch a lot to get favorable matchups.

[@williamblake7386]

If they can trade KAT lets say next season if something goes wrong, its not even all-in really. Anyway, Leon Rose is the best thing happened to Knicks in the last 50 years.

[@shorewall]

This team is maxed out. There was not a way for them to get a better player, unless they waited for Giannis instead of trading for Bridges and OG, which would be stupid.

[@danilthorstensson8902]

Who can they unload $55 million on and what would they even get in return?

[@williamblake7386]

@@danilthorstensson8902 Huh? Something similar to Randle, Divincenzo and a pick?

[@cheap272]

ted brady

[@Zekenm11]

honestly this isnt even a bad trade for the teams, these teams both got rid of two guys they thought they didnt need but only time will tell.

[@Mrgiftedsoul]

Once KAT starts turning the ball over and committing boneheaded fouls the Knicks fans will have his head on a steak 😂

[@nessdagoat]

You cannot win in the NBA at a high-level with only one perimeter player that can create off the dribble. That’s going to be the Knicks ultimate downfall. No one else can handle the ball outside of Brunson. They won’t have a repeat of last year because Brunson is going to be worn down by February unless they do another move

[@Mark-sk6om]

This is the exact reason I think wolves got dillingham and randle this offseason

[@jaygiant10]

I agree we need another scorer. However Thibs teams known for sharing ball in the past no matter what player. Randle just changed the way we played.

[@Hollisty]

mikal bridges can create his own shot

[@mambaASI]

actually bridges and OG can self create. Bridges showed this in his time with the nets (altho he's clearly not suited to be the first option, but that's not his role now). OG has done so in the past with raptors as a second option for some stretches and he's produced. They are not elite self-creators, but they can definitely get the job done when the matchups are right. Furthermore, having multiple guys that can elite self create is not necessarily a recipe for success. The suns are a great example of this ISO heavy play that doesn't work. The teams that have a flowing offense have the most success typically. Warriors dynasty for example. Even this celtics team has a great flowing offense, altho they also have the benefit of 2 elite self-creators. But these days its almost impossible to put together a roster like theirs. However, this knicks team is built to move the ball imo. With a potentially deadly 2-man game with brunson and KAT.

[@shorewall]

@@mambaASI This. I think with Bridges, OG, Hart, and KAT, the ball movement should be high. Each of these guys can cut, drive, shoot, rebound. Brunson maximizes the offense as lead ball handler, but without him you still have great players at every position who can make things happen.

[@mortybernstein535]

I see hoop upload I click simple as that

[@perezfrimpong424]

🐐

[@BunyanVerne-r1z]

Thad Flat

[@shorewall]

I think without time travel and hindsight, this trade was amazing for the Knicks. There are many ways it could go wrong, but the way the CBA is currently, there aren't ways for a good team to take a leap without taking risks. You either have to take a chance on someone breaking out, or shake things up and hope the fit will be better. Look at the Nuggets, look at the Bucks. Once you have a good team, you can't really do much to improve without taking a risk, like the Dame trade.

[@dearmas9068]

The Knicks got worse

[@lilchange1351]

Can't wait for the brunson 60 piece we're gonna get this season 🤩

[@esotrue]

Good analysis.. but Wow, you sound just like "Suspicious observer"

[@ktwdn6119]

The wolves won the trade. Got better now and in the future

[@andrewabraham5109]

I think the Knicks will find a way to be a 2 way tram for them to compete for the title.

[@Zeikul]

I feel like the way Thibs coaches, Towns will be hurt before the all star break.

[@frederickdelius1106]

I agree, very possible. Plus KAT in New York. I can only imagine how big his head already is.

[@typicalalbert272]

he's ever played under him

[@wtfskitzo7783]

@@typicalalbert272u blow in from stupid town?

[@ToughestOperaSinger]

This take is tired and old. Thibs has gotten away from the minutes grind on players

[@roronoaDzoro1111]

knicks winning it all book it

[@YuleTaylor-l8g]

Young Lisa Martin George Thomas Maria

[@Barak144]

Saying that Randle wouldn’t fit on this team after they went 14-2 in January when they first traded for OG is literally the dumbest vomit I hear people regurgitating. Y’all gotta learn to think for yourselfs. And stop pushing narratives that have no merit what so ever. The only reason the Knicks traded Randle is because they couldn’t agree on his contract extension. Randle probably wanted a contract similar to OG understandably so he’s deserved to be paid more than OG. But things don’t always go it your favor. Business can get ugly and I guess the Knicks didn’t want to be in a situation where Randle had them by the 🏀’s

[@HoopVenue]

I promise you I couldn’t care less about “pushing a narrative”. My concerns with the Randle fit are geared towards playoff basketball, which renders that 14-2 mark mostly irrelevant. I just did a deep dive on Randle’s game in my last video which goes a bit more in-depth on some of my fit concerns, and where I think he brings most value. 👍

[@shorewall]

@@HoopVenue Man, that 14-2 is gonna be like the healthy Lonzo stretch in Chicago. :D Doing a lot of work.

[@Sd4L234]

@@HoopVenueall of this is a narrative until they play tbh it’s all talk / entertainment nothing more nothing less

[@andymeissner8727]

I’m so glad Kat is gone. Good luck NY lmfao

[@Dizcreti]

Love how you try being unbiased as possible with the 2 videos about the trade🫡💯🤫🔥

[@cameronfowler2670]

Porzingus is the difference in a series against the Celtics imo

[@dearmas9068]

The Knicks got worse. Theyre the bottom of T2 in the East now

[@rickyisme1230]

I think it would be a Knicks vs Celtics in ECF this season. And it would be amazing !!!!! Probably will go seven !!!

[@ktwdn6119]

The truth is KAT wasn’t in any of the Wolves top 8 5 man lineups. He’s a liability, an empty stat player, a loser.

[@Golden_PJ]

Hopefully the Knicks can stay healthy and compete with the Celtics for the next couple of seasons!

[@dearmas9068]

Not even close

[@joecesh]

Knicks really the next team to beat in the East behind the Celtics. But the gap between 'em is still not close, when healthy.

[@dearmas9068]

Lol! Bottom of T2, son. They literally got worse.

[@djskinny718]

The Knicks arent lacking depth. The have 3 players at every position

[@bogog5517]

People sleep on my guy deuce’s second half of the season

[@dearmas9068]

Lol. No they dont...