No team made more noise than the Knicks this offseason.
They could have been content to re-sign top free agent OG Anunoby and basically run it back with the same core that carried them to the Eastern Conference semifinals. They were decimated by injuries as the playoffs wore on but still took the Pacers to the limit in their series.
New York did indeed lock up Anunoby, though the pricetag was a whopping $212.5MM for five years (including a player option). The Knicks lost another key free agent Isaiah Hartenstein.
Around the same time, they pulled off what seemed like the biggest shocker of the offseason, agreeing to give five future first-rounders, among other assets, for Nets forward Mikal Bridges.
Jalen Brunson soon did the Knicks a favor by signing a $156.5MM extension, rather than waiting until next offseason when he could have gotten an even bigger payday.
As training camp approached, the biggest question seemed to be whether Julius Randle would play more at center until Mitchell Robinson returned from left foot surgery. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Knicks pulled off another blockbuster, sending Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. New York also surrendered another first rounder and two second rounders as part of the three-team deal.
Towns’ $220MM super max extension kicks in this season, weighing down the Knicks long-term cap sheet. He’s undeniably one of the most talented and accomplished big men in the league. However, his career has been marred by a variety of injuries, so the Knicks are taking on a huge gamble that he stays healthy and productive in the postseason.
Overall, New York’s starting unit is formidable with Towns, Josh Hart, Anunoby, Bridges and Brunson. Their offense is much more versatile with the additions of Towns and Bridges, though their 3-point shooting could take a hit with the loss of DiVincenzo.
There appears to be enough backcourt depth with the likes of Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet. Frontcourt depth has been depleted by the flurry of moves and that could be an ongoing concern.
That brings up to today’s topic: Do you think the Knicks’ offseason acquistions of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns can deliver a championship to New York? Or will they fall short of that goal and ultimately regret going all-in and mortgaging their future?
Please take to the comments section to weigh on this topic. We look forward to your input.
They’re a better team then we’re at when their playoff run ended but they still aren’t as good as Boston.
Wolves got better from the trade.
Knicks main 9 rotation pieces are: Brunson-Towns-Bridges-Robinson-Anunoby-Hart-Achiuwa-McBride-Shamet. Boston’s is: Tatum-Brown-Holiday-Porzingis-White-Horford-Kornet-Hauser-Pritchard. Not in the same class, really.
Sooooo hard to win a championship. Its their best roster in many years, but don’t think they are going to win it all. Ton of injury question marks Also they are going to be playing under intense scrutiny and are going to get everybodys best effort, teams won’t be sleeping on them.
Knicks are probably locked in with what they have. That said, is anyone clearly better than them on paper? They’re a fairly comfortable 2nd in the East and should be able to play with Boston. I say they played this well.
Knicks have no bench at all. Losing DDV will be the end of any chances of them winning anything.
The Wolves won the trade simply because they are free of the Towns contract.