The Knicks are undefeated since acquiring OG Anunoby. Donte DiVincenzo said the blockbuster deal with Toronto has lit a fire under the team, he told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
“There’s an energy right now that we have,” he said. “And it’s contagious. Guys are celebrating each other, guys are moving the ball.”
DiVincenzo is averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 23.5 minutes during four January contests.
We have more on the New York teams:
- In the four games since the trade, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein has been playing heavy minutes while averaging a double-double (10.5 points, 13.5 rebounds). He’s also leading the Knicks in steals (2.3) and blocks (3.0) per game and has become somewhat of a play-maker (2.8 assists). “It’s fun,” Hartenstein told Bondy. “I think it’s definitely a role that I always envisioned myself being in.”
- Julius Randle has averaged 26.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game since mid-November while scoring at least 20 points in 24 of those 26 contests. The Knicks forward is initiating more pick-and-rolls this season and taking fewer 3-pointers. He’s also reacting more quickly to double teams. “The key to having longevity in this game is adaptability and being able to adjust,” Randle told Fred Katz of The Athletic. “I’ve always been able to adjust as my career has gone on. But now, I think I’m just more sure of who I am as a player. It’s all kinda coming together for me at this point in my career.”
- The Nets were furious at themselves after losing at home to the Trail Blazers on Sunday, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. They wasted Mikal Bridges‘ 42-point game in the process. “We definitely should have won. It’s frustrating,” Cameron Johnson said. “Very disappointing overall to not win this basketball game. Extremely disappointing,” coach Jacque Vaughn added.
Good for the Knicks and their fans.
Giving Hart more minutes had help the Knicks too. The Raptors are playing better too.
Hartenstein has proved he’s a NBA starter. Will Thibs let him keep the job?
The bench has stepped up. Hartenstein is prime example of that.
Hartenstein has helped himself with FA looming. Could lose him next yr.
Would Knicks move him this yr ????
If they trade him, I hope it’s to GSW
Knicks should be looking to clone Hartenstein, not trade him. Even if they think re-signing him will be difficult, they still need to play this season.
With Hartenstein starting and the trade of our sixth man. The pressure is on Grimes and McBride to step up. Grimes has been here before. McBride is the New KOB here. Also Hart has to score consistently now. He absolutely has potential to be sixth of the yr.
If you seriously look at the trade rumors. And understand where the Knicks would add that other player. Especially if it’s getting it done this yr by TD. It has to be at SG. The only moves I see here are DeM and Murray.
I hear rumors of Clarkson and Brogdon. Who may be attainable. But are not pieces that get you into contention. Adding scoring to the bench makes us better. But we’ll still be a star away from contender.
Imo you have go for it this year. Feb 8.
Clarkson and Brogdon are two completely different players. Brogdon would be more of the same whereas Clarkson would require a vat of Tums at the scorers table for Thibs.
I doubt the NYK make another major trade until right before the deadline, if then. Got 3 weeks to assess the team post-OG trade. They should take it. Lots of new features, Brunson and Randle now are the only volume shooters (Anunoby and McBride will have lower possession time, and far fewer shots, than Barrett and IQ), so there should be more touches and shots for Grimes, Hart and DiV. That’s what the FO wanted (and what 2 of those players requested, and what Anunoby in TOR and didn’t get). Better defense, better spacing, better ball movement, better shot distribution. So far, so good, but its only 4 games. If it continues, I can’t see a major trade making sense.
Bolstering the C position is likely on a different track; I think that’s really just about how well Sims and/or PA play. Hard to see them doing anything long term at C, though, with Hartenstein playing so well, and Mitch back next year on a team friendly contract. More teams will become sellers in 3 weeks. No rush here either now that Sims is back. Not wise for a team still rebuilding to waste real assets on a rental.
I really like Hartenstein. But you have to wonder if we can pay him and keep him. Sort of like the Quickley situation. Mitch is getting 15-16 mill. I’d pay Hartenstein that, sort of like two headed Center thing.
Well, there’s both what we can pay him legally, and what we feel its prudent to pay him practically.
Legally, NBA rules limit what we can pay him (because we don’t have Full Bird Righs), and I think that’s right around 16-17 mm per year. Practically, things align IMO, as I would pay Hartenstein that legal maximum to keep him, since he’s young and still getting better. Mitch and he for 30 mm the next couple of years is very attractive.
Of course, if Hartenstein gets an offer significantly better than the 16-17 mm we can offer, it’s out of our hands – his business decision, not ours. Can’t worry about that, wish him well. But I think that’s unlikely. C’s don’t have pricing power any longer. I view 20 mm as a ceiling and that’s not enough higher than what we can offer that I see him leaving even if its a hard business decision. The NYK system and NYC is GOOD for his business longer term. He could play here 10 more years.
Evan Fournier and a 1st for Heild. Precious, Flynn and Ryan A with 2nds for Drummond and Carter