Breaking: KAT to the Knicks

[KnixinSix]

Let me say this...
I have NEVER been a fan of KAT and I was one of the posters calling him soft. Prior to last season-- the last Knick team I
followed in "die-hard fashion" was when Mitch was drafted. I'm also one of the biggest Mitch fans on this site
next to Sham and other guys...

Let me start off with Kat --he had a very good post season until he played Dallas. Without going into that series I'm going to
jump into what I think happens when he plays for us.

Kat is Dominican, from New Jersey and has been in Minnesota for the last 9 years. Of course its going to be a shock when you
realize you are going to play in New York City. He spent his 20's in Minnesota and became comfortable in the community.
Any human being is going to feel sad if you wake up comfortable and are told that you have to leave and move to another state
and team...

The change will feel strange at first but he's lived here before. This will be a new chapter for him...Brunson is here. Hart is here...OG....Mikal...Deuce...Thibs...Leon....NY fans...the bright lights...
etc...This will be exciting for him. Washington heights is a cab ride away...He's 28 years old now and when I saw him play in the post season. He didnt look soft to me. His style of play will fit right in with our team. He's need here. Minny doesn't need him as much as we do...Kat will have a chance to show the world on this stage what he is made of...

I expect this trade to workout for us...Divo had a break out year and coming of the bench wasnt going to "work" for the dog...
Kat is a better fit than Randle...Randle is going to opt out of his contract next year so we had to tie up that salary slot with
the best value we could find. So from a financial standpoint I think we did the best we could do... Not to mention, its a 4 year lock. I remember when the contracts were 7 year locks. Four years is not a long time when you consider that we have no choice but to go for it with Brunson.

On to my guy Mitch...the kid just doesn't get the personal assignment and team assignment. He's not taking care of his body for one.
He's not working on his craft enough for 2. Discipline is very hard to execute and its been 6 years and Mitch is still acting like a child.
I will give Mitch credit for busting his ass and working hard. I believe he puts his body and heart on the court every time he steps
on it. Unfortunately, that's not enough if you want to be great. You have to create and maintain habits that are not fun unless
you can program your mind to except it as fun. You have to train like a robot. You have to work on your game when you are on vacation. You have to play against other players when you are on vacation. There's no time off...I know that Mitch is not doing that. I say all of that to say- what we see from Mitch today is what we will get from Mitch...It's time to move on...

I think there is always a ton of PR spin on stuff to control the narrative. He wants to respect Minnesota, the org , and its fans. He isnt going to say this is something that has been brewing for quite some time behind the scenes and I am excited as heck to play for my hometown team!

Its going to be much more calculated and measured for public consumption.

But trust me he is CAA and there has been plenty of little indirect communication going on for some time. He is excited as heck to be here

[3toheadmelo]

It wasn’t a panic trade and I’m confident they were trying to do this trade for years and Minnesota finally caved wanting to save money and we got him. The alarm bells have been ringing on this for a long time

This was definitely a panic trade. All summer long we had reports that the Knicks were operating that they didn’t want to move Randle at all. They said the KAT trade was an unexpected development within 48 hours.

Translation: didn’t want to move him (unless it was for towns)

Randle > KAT

[KnixinSix]

I think we start Precious and then finish games with the Hart death lineup. Makes the most sense.

Hart is 6MOY type… then McBride gets 24+ mins backing up the 1-2. Maybe Payne or Kolek get 10 minutes or so. Then you got Sims (for now) getting 18 minutes or so. 9-man rotation until the playoffs. If we keep Mitch then he replaces Sims’s minutes and takes 6 more mins from Precious to be at 24.

Approximate minutes distribution:

KAT (15), Robinson (23), Morris (10)
OG(25), KAT (17), Hart (6)
Bridges*(25), Hart (15), OG(8)
Hart*(10), Bridges (8), McBride (25), Payne (5)
Brunson (32), Payne(10), Kolek (6)

*Knicks preference may possibly be more Hart at 3 and Bridges at 2.

Depth:
Achiuwa
Schamet
McCullers
Dadiet
Hukportl
Sims

wheres KBD?

Traded

[TheGreenArrow]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

They’ve already tried to trade Mitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don’t think he’s a knick come opening night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Moose]

Just trade the Gumbo Goof-off already and bring this guy in!

Would replace everything Donte did and then some, being taller and a better defender.

Watch on YouTube

Although, in all honesty, I've already killed any trade by watching his highlights, as Knicks never get any player who I watch highlights of.

Except Brunson.

I don't see why the Pelicans would trade Jones or Murphy for Mitch

By the sniff test it seems Pels are absolutely desperate for an elite rim protector to complement their stars. Mitch has been in DPoY discussions when healthy. They probably feel they would have a huge jump in overall performance with that kind of player.

3 team deal perhaps? Maybe get back one of Isaiah Stwart or Nick Richards?

Who says no? (Works in modern CBA trade checker):

Knicks Receive:

Walker Kessler
Brice Sensabaugh
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Jazz Receive:

Brandon Ingram
Pacome Dadiet
Karlo Matkovic
2026 Pelicans 1st round pick, top 5 protected (Mil swap rights)
2027 Knicks second round pick (via OKC, HOU, MIA, or IND)

Pelicans Receive:

Mitch Robinson
John Collins
Knicks 2026 second round pick (via DET, IND, or MIA)

Please note that though the Pelicans are trading a 1st round pick, they are essentially moving back to the early part of Round 2.

[Context]

Let me say this...
I have NEVER been a fan of KAT and I was one of the posters calling him soft. Prior to last season-- the last Knick team I
followed in "die-hard fashion" was when Mitch was drafted. I'm also one of the biggest Mitch fans on this site
next to Sham and other guys...

Let me start off with Kat --he had a very good post season until he played Dallas. Without going into that series I'm going to
jump into what I think happens when he plays for us.

Kat is Dominican, from New Jersey and has been in Minnesota for the last 9 years. Of course its going to be a shock when you
realize you are going to play in New York City. He spent his 20's in Minnesota and became comfortable in the community.
Any human being is going to feel sad if you wake up comfortable and are told that you have to leave and move to another state
and team...

The change will feel strange at first but he's lived here before. This will be a new chapter for him...Brunson is here. Hart is here...OG....Mikal...Deuce...Thibs...Leon....NY fans...the bright lights...
etc...This will be exciting for him. Washington heights is a cab ride away...He's 28 years old now and when I saw him play in the post season. He didnt look soft to me. His style of play will fit right in with our team. He's need here. Minny doesn't need him as much as we do...Kat will have a chance to show the world on this stage what he is made of...

I expect this trade to workout for us...Divo had a break out year and coming of the bench wasnt going to "work" for the dog...
Kat is a better fit than Randle...Randle is going to opt out of his contract next year so we had to tie up that salary slot with
the best value we could find. So from a financial standpoint I think we did the best we could do... Not to mention, its a 4 year lock. I remember when the contracts were 7 year locks. Four years is not a long time when you consider that we have no choice but to go for it with Brunson.

On to my guy Mitch...the kid just doesn't get the personal assignment and team assignment. He's not taking care of his body for one.
He's not working on his craft enough for 2. Discipline is very hard to execute and its been 6 years and Mitch is still acting like a child.
I will give Mitch credit for busting his ass and working hard. I believe he puts his body and heart on the court every time he steps
on it. Unfortunately, that's not enough if you want to be great. You have to create and maintain habits that are not fun unless
you can program your mind to except it as fun. You have to train like a robot. You have to work on your game when you are on vacation. You have to play against other players when you are on vacation. There's no time off...I know that Mitch is not doing that. I say all of that to say- what we see from Mitch today is what we will get from Mitch...It's time to move on...

I think there is always a ton of PR spin on stuff to control the narrative. He wants to respect Minnesota, the org , and its fans. He isnt going to say this is something that has been brewing for quite some time behind the scenes and I am excited as heck to play for my hometown team!

Its going to be much more calculated and measured for public consumption.

But trust me he is CAA and there has been plenty of little indirect communication going on for some time. He is excited as heck to be here

I personally agree with this but for those that dont- I wanted to give them that view...

[KnixinSix]

I think we start Precious and then finish games with the Hart death lineup. Makes the most sense.

Hart is 6MOY type… then McBride gets 24+ mins backing up the 1-2. Maybe Payne or Kolek get 10 minutes or so. Then you got Sims (for now) getting 18 minutes or so. 9-man rotation until the playoffs. If we keep Mitch then he replaces Sims’s minutes and takes 6 more mins from Precious to be at 24.

Approximate minutes distribution:

KAT (15), Robinson (23), Morris (10)
OG(25), KAT (17), Hart (6)
Bridges*(25), Hart (15), OG(8)
Hart*(10), Bridges (8), McBride (25), Payne (5)
Brunson (32), Payne(10), Kolek (6)

*Knicks preference may possibly be more Hart at 3 and Bridges at 2.

Depth:
Achiuwa
Schamet
McCullers
Dadiet
Hukportl
Sims

Mitch is out until like 2025 and Morris was cut.

Precious is in the rotation right now.

Im guessing Morris will be resigned as they had to play around satisfying different requirements to pull off a trade of this magnitude under the new CBA

[robillionaire]

He locked up Jokic in the playoffs. Stay woke

[sol537]

I wonder if NYK is expanding the trade from 3-team to 4-team… maybe Mitch is going out as well. I’m sure we’ll hear the final form on Monday.

[Im Coming Home]

It wasn’t a panic trade and I’m confident they were trying to do this trade for years and Minnesota finally caved wanting to save money and we got him. The alarm bells have been ringing on this for a long time

This was definitely a panic trade. All summer long we had reports that the Knicks were operating that they didn’t want to move Randle at all. They said the KAT trade was an unexpected development within 48 hours.

Translation: didn’t want to move him (unless it was for towns)

Translation: they wanted to move him but didn't want him to get all upset if it didn't happen since he's a sensitive diva.

[BrOnXKing1]

Anyone disappointed KAT still hasn't said anything other than his emo "...".

Dont think hes trilled about the trade. Minnesota was his home last 9yrs, its a low key city. Now there is a microscope on Kat and the pressure just went up many notches

[KnixinSix]

I don't see why the Pelicans would trade Jones or Murphy for Mitch

By the sniff test it seems Pels are absolutely desperate for an elite rim protector to complement their stars. Mitch has been in DPoY discussions when healthy. They probably feel they would have a huge jump in overall performance with that kind of player.

3 team deal perhaps? Maybe get back one of Isaiah Stwart or Nick Richards?

Who says no? (Works in modern CBA trade checker):

Knicks Receive:

Walker Kessler
Brice Sensabaugh
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Jazz Receive:

Brandon Ingram
Pacome Dadiet
Karlo Matkovic
2026 Pelicans 1st round pick, top 5 protected (Mil swap rights)
2027 Knicks second round pick (via OKC, HOU, MIA, or IND)

Pelicans Receive:

Mitch Robinson
John Collins
Knicks 2026 second round pick (via DET, IND, or MIA)

Please note that though the Pelicans are trading a 1st round pick, they are essentially moving back to the early part of Round 2.

Not bad ....Knicks would likely do that. But why do Jazz get so much value for giving up John Collins?

[3toheadmelo]

This was definitely a panic trade. All summer long we had reports that the Knicks were operating that they didn’t want to move Randle at all. They said the KAT trade was an unexpected development within 48 hours.

Translation: didn’t want to move him (unless it was for towns)

Translation: they wanted to move him but didn't want him to get all upset if it didn't happen since he's a sensitive diva.

Translation: they didn’t want to move him for trash like some people here kept suggesting to do to make the Knicks worse.. I wonder who that could be

[KnixinSix]

Anyone disappointed KAT still hasn't said anything other than his emo "...".

Dont think hes trilled about the trade. Minnesota was his home last 9yrs, its a low key city. Now there is a microscope on Kat and the pressure just went up many notches

Think he is excited as heck actually

[E-Balla]

New CBA kind of changes the calculations around who makes what at the upper end.

And Randle is due for a raise.

KAT's softness a legit concern.

Randle wasn't a first overall pick and doesn't have nearly as much hype as KAT. He's not making anywhere near KAT money, and tbh I'd rather let Randle walk than give KAT that contract to play 40 games, get hurt, and average 19/9 on 44% shooting in the playoffs while being one of the worst defenders in basketball.

Randle isn't a good defender either, he'll still wind up getting paid north of 35 million per, Randle has sucked in the playoffs also, KAT's injury concerns are legit.

35 million per vs 60 million? I know which one I'm taking. KAT gets paid so much anything short of MVP level is a disappointment.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

They’ve already tried to trade Mitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don’t think he’s a knick come opening night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[robillionaire]

This was definitely a panic trade. All summer long we had reports that the Knicks were operating that they didn’t want to move Randle at all. They said the KAT trade was an unexpected development within 48 hours.

Translation: didn’t want to move him (unless it was for towns)

Translation: they wanted to move him but didn't want him to get all upset if it didn't happen since he's a sensitive diva.

He’s been rumored to be traded since day 1 in 2019 I’m
sure he can deal with trade rumors

I really don’t think they wanted to move him unless it was in the right deal for a star and this has been Leon’s white whale. Just my guess though

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Randle wasn't a first overall pick and doesn't have nearly as much hype as KAT. He's not making anywhere near KAT money, and tbh I'd rather let Randle walk than give KAT that contract to play 40 games, get hurt, and average 19/9 on 44% shooting in the playoffs while being one of the worst defenders in basketball.

Randle isn't a good defender either, he'll still wind up getting paid north of 35 million per, Randle has sucked in the playoffs also, KAT's injury concerns are legit.

35 million per vs 60 million? I know which one I'm taking. KAT gets paid so much anything short of MVP level is a disappointment.

There's very few 5 out teams, you gotta pay the cost to have one at this point.

[E-Balla]

Just kind of breezing through the 60+ pages already and all I will say is that every criticism of KAT people have been voicing you can say the same thing about Randle but turned up to 11...except bad fouls, since a player has to play defense to commit bad fouls, Randle doesn't play defense, like ever. Unless you want to consider the bad offensive fouls, then yea, Randle is equal to KAT if not worse.

Randle makes less than half of what KAT makes what a **** comparison. They're equal, but one guy is making less than half of the other one, hey let's add White Donte and a first! And piss Mitch off!

Randle has an extension coming. He doesn't make less than half but, there is a huge gap. Randle obviously wants to close that gap. Otherwise he would have signed an extension at around 40mil or so to stay here long term.

Donte was replaced with Bridges.

The FRP may never convey but, I'm not so sure about that. We shouldn't have added it honestly. That's a small issue that irks me some. Having that pick convey in a couple years would be golden. I would have preferred sending the WAS pick.

Letting Randle walk after trying this year > taking on the KAT contract.

[DaGawd]

Anyone disappointed KAT still hasn't said anything other than his emo "...".

Dont think hes trilled about the trade. Minnesota was his home last 9yrs, its a low key city. Now there is a microscope on Kat and the pressure just went up many notches

Think he is excited as heck actually

i’ll cut him some slack, trade just happened less than 48 hours ago. i think he’s still processing it honestly. on one hand i’m sure he’s shocked and a bit hurt by the trade, but i definitely think he might be finally settling in to looking forward to the opportunity to come back home and play for his favorite team growing up