There were good vibes in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, as Knicks fans gave Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett a warm welcome in their return to New York as Raptors, then watched stars Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle lead the home team to a dominant 126-100 victory. After the game, Brunson and Randle both spoke about how much they enjoyed playing with Quickley and Barrett, who said they appreciated the reception they received from Knicks fans.
“Love those two. Being teammates with them the past couple of years has been special,” Brunson said of Barrett and Quickley, per Peter Botte of The New York Post. “Great character dudes. They both work really hard. Everything you want in a franchise player. Toronto has a couple good dudes over there. I wish them nothing but the best.”
“Those guys are special talents,” Randle added, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “It’s a special relationship I’ve built with them. I know they talk about how much I meant to them, but they mean a lot to me, to be honest. Talking about leadership, how I carry myself, how to be open, how to be honest, how to be motivated — those are things I didn’t necessarily have coming in vocally. I always wanted to lead by example, just play hard every night. But those guys with me brought a different side out of me. … The relationship that I have with them is extremely special.”
While Quickley and Barrett are missed by their former teammates, Saturday’s game was a reminder of why trading them was the right move, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. As Bondy notes, OG Anunoby continues to show he’s a perfect fit alongside the Knicks’ ball-dominant players, who have been on a tear this month.
Following a 38-point showing on Saturday, Brunson has now averaged 28.9 points and 8.4 assists per game since the arrival of Anunoby, who in turn has been an NBA-best +190 during his time on the court as a Knick. Randle had a triple-double in Saturday’s victory and has put up 25.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 5.1 APG since Anunoby’s debut.
Here’s more out of New York:
- While Anunoby continues to be lauded by his play for the Knicks – including by super-fan Spike Lee, as Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca details – another former Raptor had a big night vs. his former team on Saturday. Precious Achiuwa established new season highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds in 25 minutes of action, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post.
- Achiuwa was playing an increased role due to the fact that starting center Isaiah Hartenstein left the game in the third quarter with an ankle issue. According to Bondy (Twitter link), head coach Tom Thibodeau called it as a sprain, though the team later referred to it as just “sore.” Whether or not Hartenstein has to miss time as a result of the injury, Bondy expects Jericho Sims to see more playing time. Sims logged three minutes on Saturday after sitting out the past five games.
- Discussing some of the potential trade targets who have been linked to the Knicks, Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter video link) says the Jazz‘s asking price for Jordan Clarkson is very high and that he hasn’t heard anything to suggest that the Knicks and Trail Blazers have had serious talks about Malcolm Brogdon.
- On the other hand, Begley keeps hearing “again and again” that New York has strong interest in Raptors guard Bruce Brown. Asked on Saturday about those rumors, as well as the belief that Thibodeau is a fan of his play, Brown said he has “nothing but respect” for the Knicks’ head coach and can do “just about whatever [Thibodeau] needs me to do,” per Schwartz. “I play extremely hard,” he said. “I would think [I’m] the type of player that he likes.”
Sounds like Brown wants to get out of Toronto…
We got the taste of a championship but now on a bottom team so of course he wants back to a team that can compete.
He was a FA that is on him. He could have signed back with the Nuggets or went to another contender. He went after the most money and I get that, but if you get $20million and was offered a $12million or whatever Nuggets could have offered is it that much of a difference? Only if you have a crazy spending lifestyle.
He looked at the Pacers and thought they had a chance to compete and be in the playoffs. For a guy who never made a lot of money that is a huge increase. Watch the raptors flip him for draft picks or young players. Why hold onto a guy who will be a FA after next season his best value is now.
You serious lol. He’s getting 22 mill. He will never get this opportunity again. A rotation player. This career and money is Over after 30.
@AncientOne Not that this necessarily negates your point, but for what it’s worth, the gap was quite a bit bigger. Denver could only offer up to $7.8MM this season and he got nearly three times that ($22MM) from Indiana.
Denver offered 7 million a year. That’s all they could offer
I assume Masai told him he’s going to look to flip him to a contender. It makes no sense to keep him
Still think the fact the FO hasnt moved Fournier is the biggest blunder.
Fournier and a 24 or 25 FRP for Bruce Brown!
He’s the only matching salary we have. That can he used for a big trade….
This makes no sense. Without Fournier’s salary, the Knicks would be very limited in what they can do trade wise. They’re very fortunate to have his salary at this point.
Knicks would be fortunate if they had a player other than Fournier that can contribute.
I wonder why DeM is not on Knicks radar. I get that salary wise it’s harder to do now. For instance he’s not heavy on the rumors radar around the NBA like Murray is. Just a thought.
Considering Fournier doesn’t get mins. Any player we get back in a trade. Would be a huge upgrade.
You look at all the players in Knicks trade rumors. Clarkson is not a fit here. Don’t think he can handle NYC. If not Murray ….. then Brown, Brogdon, Dinwiddie make the most sense.
Terry who I like. Has said he wants Miami.
Sexton not really a D player. Not a Thibs kind of player.
Hoping Achiuwa can backup Randle consistently. I don’t like him at C. He can give you depth there.
Don’t get why Sims is not playing. He should be in G-league getting mins getting ready. Or they should be looking at a Center. They could also be waiting to see who gets bought out.
I’m a big Thibs guy. But him overplaying players does worry me. Also fact he feels they should tough it out thru injuries. NY pressure to win can affect this. I hope Rose is watching his back.
9-2 since trade ………. Feb 8 looming
Fournier value is his money coming off the books for next year. So a trade to a team looking to reduce payroll and swapping for a player who is guaranteed for next year is about all they can hope for.
It can be added for a bigger name Like DeM. The value of a Murray trade now. Is you only need to match 18 mill. His contract doesn’t kick in till next yr. Fournier contract coming off next yr. Is still valuable to teams. Still valuable in a trade. I believe Knicks will use it now for even a lesser trade. Brown is a guy I’m thinking they are looking at.
Al, what is your deal with DeMar?
Granted, DeMar is far better than RJ, but the reason the Knicks are 9-2 since the deal is that they moved a higher usage non-shooter who doesn’t play much Defence for a much needed 3 and 3 wing.
Bringing DeMar in is just bringing a better RJ in, and he’s not enough of a Superstar to take shots and possessions away from Brunson/Randle.
First Brunson and Randle need to shoot less. It’s about winning not getting shots or points. The reason they put it up. Cause we do t have another they trust like they trust themselves. You may think he’s not enough of star. Imo he’s a future HOFer. Who has one of the most unstoppable shots in the game.
Just like you mentioned RJ as team fit. RJ is still young and improving. DeM is already there. He knows he’s part of unit put together to win. He’s never been a selfish scorer wherever he’s played. Just chk out his ast over the yrs. Bulls need him to score. Knicks only need another scorer they can depend on.
Why did Celtics get KP. To take away shots????
Then add Holiday????? To take away more shots ?????
Real players play to win. They know when Scoring is needed. And when team D is needed. DeM starts. Donte to bench. That’s a team that can contend. That’s why.
Far better??? Very similar numbers at this point in their careers and rj is the better defender. Also, have you not wqtched demar with the ball in his hands late in games? Would open up the floor that much more for randle and brunson
Why can’t Jordan Clarkson handle NYC? And is DeMarr taking OG’s starting spot?
NY is a tough place. He will have to be better than Quickley. His demeanor doesn’t seem to fit imo. Look what’s happening to Grimes right now.
OG is the starting 3. DeM is a SG. One of biggest SG in league. Positional size is a big advantage in basketball. It’s why he can get his jumper off on anyone. DeM hasn’t won. Knicks haven’t won. That’s a strong bond. MSG would love his game.
Bring in DeMar, re-sign Taj, then go win the title. Would be awesome to see two of the greatest Trojans in the NBA get their rings, especially in NY. At least get them back on the court together.
Stop campaigning for Denar Derozen who would be a in season. Rental ans you say Jordan Clarkson couldn’t handle NY when a few years ago he was the sixth man of tbe year. Clarkson can get you Buckets in bunches and he is way better then your boy Spencer Dinwiddie who is one more injury away from being out the league. And Collin Sexston ua balling right now. We need another scorer to come off the bench and Jordan Clarkson, Terry Rozier and Dojente Murray all fit the bill and not a washed up Spencer Dinwiddie.
If NYK really believe they need another ball handler, as has been reported, then there will be plenty of low cost rentals out there at the deadline. They could use another C on the same basis.
None of it should involve major trade assets, and none of it should involve dabbling in multi-year contracts like those of Clarkson and Brogdon. It’s a dangerous game. Both are dead money waiting to happen, and the kind that will kill the MLE and S&T’s this offseason.
Murray and Capella for Grimes Fournier Sims and 2 firsts just makes sense…NY needs a ball handler/scorer to play with Brunson and run the 2nd unit our centers are all banged up…I know they are hoping for Mitch for playoffs but you don’t have to rely on that with capella and hopefully a healthy IH….Atlanta wants Grimes they have for awhile if you believe the talking heads now they get him along with the 2 firsts…new you’re still has 6 traceable firsts if they are still wanting to try and pry a superstar loose this summer
I like your trade deal , Definitely would upgrade the roster and better versatility
Doesn’t work money wise
“This season alone, the veteran forward is 8-for-14 (57.1%) from the field for the Bulls in the final minute of a four-point game. In the final 30 seconds of a three-point game, he’s 5-for-10 with a league-best 20 points.
For this reason, the Bulls’ late comeback win over the Raptors on Thursday night was almost expected.”
I’ve been saying this about DeM all yr. One of best 4Q guys around. He’s clutch and a closer. Something Knicks lack. He’s not a tunnel vision guy when it comes to winning. He shares the ball. It’s why I’ve done this all yr now …….
DeM >>>>> to Knickerbockers
Agreed unless demar is going up against lebron lol i watched poor demar turn into an apparent foul machine for years when the raps would play him. You want to see pathetic reffing go back and watched lol its something.
Otherwise, agreed, dem is a 4th q demon
We are not dependent on him. He is another proven guy. Makes OG, Randle, Brunson better. Everyone talks about a big star. It’s about playing team ball to win. Real stars get that.
No question he’d be a great pickup, but what’s in it for the Bulls?
He did the right thing. You would have done the same.
All this ‘hoop’-la about the Knicks improving dramatically over the last couple of weeks. Let’s see how they perform against a team whose record is better than theirs? What is Randall‘s track record in the clutch or playoffs? Thibs will play Bronson into the ground and then Randle will carry the team? They need a clutch shooting guard to complement Brunson. If they start losing several games in a row, watch the panic set in. Then it will be too late to make the needed trade