New York Knicks: This Trade Will Haunt Them

By: Mark T. Wilson

The New York Knicks believe they’re going all in this season, especially with the addition of Karl Anthony Towns. He’s in while Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo are out. Addition by subtraction, right? It all depends on the mindset of Towns.

The Knicks did not get better, they got worse. Towns is a great offensive player when he’s dialed in. Lately, however, he’s been inconsistent with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He’s now playing in a major market where expectations are much higher than they were in Minnesota. Towns is expected to be the missing link to a championship in NYC.

Losing Randle and his 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists will hurt. While many have questioned his place in the Knicks’ lineup after their playoff run last season, Leon Rose figured the media and fans were right. Instead of running it back, they traded for a player who did not fit in with his prior team. It was such a lateral move. It was such a New York Knicks move.

For argument’s sake, let’s say that Randle and Towns cancel each other out in terms of production. Anthony-Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting .504 percent from the floor including .416 percent from deep. That leaves DiVincenzo. Last season Donte averaged 15.5 points, and 3.7 rebounds while shooting .401 percent from deep. That’s where the issues will arise for the Knicks.

Yes, the Knicks added Miles Bridges, and that will help but having that core plus the scoring of Donte was what made them favorites in the Eastern Conference heading into the season. Now they just lost their upper hand in that department. The Knicks will rely on players such as Cameron Payne, Jericho Sims, Miles McBride, and Precious Achiuwa to lead that second unit.

The one bright spot is these moves open the door for Josh Hart to take a spot in the starting rotation. Bridges will move to either SG or SF which places Hart either the SG or SF spot. They will be paired with Brunson, OG, Anunoby, and Karl Anthony-Towns.

With Mitchell’s injury, the Knicks were thinking of playing Randle at the 5. Not known as a top defender, the Knicks would have to mask a lot as a small-ball team. In a way, adding KAT does make sense but not for what they gave up.

The New York Knicks were short in regards to their rotation. They needed bench help. Following this trade, they’re right back at square one. Fans of the Knicks are confused. Yes, they had a good run with Randle and Mitchell Robinson on the sidelines, but now they’re hoping for that same adrenaline-filled run with less.

What has me more concerned than anything is the mental strength of Karl Anthony-Towns. Is he built to play under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden? It’s one thing to play at MSG one game of the season but it’s another to suit up as the home team 41 times. He will be under heavy scrutiny.

Another thing to consider is Towns reuniting with Tom Thibodeau who once coached him in Minnesota. Is there bad blood?

Anthony Edwards is the face of the Timberwolves. Now he has to deal with Jalen Brunson. And not just Brunson. He’s joining a team with deep chemistry. Three of their top players played college ball together and this is still a team off a great run ready to run it back with their core. Towns changes that in more ways than just numbers.

He went from 2nd option in Minnesota to possibly 3rd after Brunson and Bridges. Is he ready for that? He left an average of 15.3 Shot Attempts per game last season, and this season, those numbers will decline.

With Mitchell out for the beginning of the season Anthony-Towns will have to move back to his natural Center position. That’s a position he didn’t have to play in Minnesota with Rudy Gobert manning the middle. How will he adjust?

Where he will fit in is his ability to shoot the deep ball. The Knicks were a top-10 team in terms of 3-Point Field Goal Attempts and Made per game. Towns, last season took 5.3 per game in Minnesota so he fits right in. He will need to hit the boards harder, depending on how Thibs constructs his starting lineup.

If this was a straight-up Randle for Towns trade, this might make a bit more sense for me. But losing DiVincenzo is a hard pill to swallow. That’s two productive players for a player who cancels out one. Sometimes, it’s best to leave something alone that was not broken. The New York Knicks had no idea what a healthy team could do. Give them a chance to prove themselves. Instead, Rose took that window they had and closed it in their faces before they could smell the roses.