Breaking: KAT to the Knicks

[TheGreenArrow]

E-Balla doing gods work here. I’m glad he’s back

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He’s Homeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Embrace him 3tothehead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EMBRACE HIMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Capn'O]

maybe that's overkill but this last move is a bit questionable

this isn't some slam dunk no brainer at all. even if the og contract is too high, it is, or we gave up a bit too much for mikal, we did, we knew that they were quality players and they would fit in with what we do seamlessly. this is a total change to who the knicks are and at a price that may make it impossible to get out of. i just don't know about this.

It's a risk. It could work. But definitely a risk. I do like this final version better than any of the versions that included Mitch. I imagine the Wolves did too, having Gobert.

One thing I'm wondering is where we stand as an OREB team. Our top 10 offense was almost entirely predicated on crashing the offensive boards. We still have some of those pieces but how does that work with Towns, or does it?

i'm guessing they think they'll have a better offense now and not need to rely on that as much. we'll see. kat averaged 1.5 a season last year. the wolves were 6th worse at offensive rebounds and that's with gobert starting next to him. so that's not gonna be a big thing for them if he's starting at the 5.

We'll still have Hart and eventually Mitch so there may be lineups where that's the strategy. But I think that's right about the KAT lineups. They need to be more efficient on first opportunities.

[E-Balla]

E-Balla doing gods work here. I’m glad he’s back

Same people here hated Leon Rose up until last year. Meanwhile I was telling y'all we need Haliburton or Brunson at PG, I liked the Randle signing, I loved damn near everything this FO did until the OG trade but they think they gonna outshine me here. Blindly accepting bull.

[SelbyCobra]

Simultaneously calling KAT "soft" and Julius a "dog" is crazy to me. It's either neither or both.

They both have notoriously come up small in big moments and have people questioning their mental fortitude based on their reactions to adversity.

[Zenzibar]

KAT doesn't make you a true 5 out team because he can't defend. Might as well play small ball with Randle. And you'll still have 5 out spacing with no interior defense and good rebounding.

Many metrics and the eyeball test of how he played vs Jokic and KD in the playoffs would seem to strongly refute that.

KAT looked good vs Jokic because he was smoking wide open jumpers that KAT as part of their defensive scheme gave to Jokic. He scored 59 points on 55 shots guarded by KAT despite shooting 4-21 from deep. Leaving Jokic to take wide open 3s and praying he misses isn't great defense.

And he guarded KD only in game one. KD had 31 on 11/17 shooting and they took KAT off as the primary defender.

On top of all of that he's not a PF for us he's a C. KAT at C was the worst defensive player in the league for almost a decade. It's easier to hide him with Gobert and Reid behind him but now he's the backbone of our defense.

There's a reason Minny felt safe moving him, and it's because quite frankly if he wasn't on the roster they go to the Finals.

Nah man. The only reason the Wolves didn't run it back after one of their most successful season in their history is the CBA and it's affect on the Wolves keeping Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels, nothing else. The Wolves had the #1 defense in the league and crushed their division. While I'm not 100% with it andwaiting to see what the team looks like, let's not act like KAT didn't contribute to the Wolves success.

[KnixinSix]

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

KAT doesn't make you a true 5 out team because he can't defend. Might as well play small ball with Randle. And you'll still have 5 out spacing with no interior defense and good rebounding.

Thibs illegitimate son disagrees!

Watch on YouTube

There is absolutely NO QUESTION he played elite defense vs Jokic. Some have already passed judgment on KAT and cant be convinced regardless of proven evidence otherwise

[G_K_F]

The general rule is that if you feel uneasy or just plain bad about a trade then it likely isn’t a good trade.

This trade has had mixed reactions across the board here, in the general public, in basketball media, etc.

We locked into an absolutely horrible contract for a minimum of the next 3 years - the 4th year will be expiring and possibly more tradeable. The guy is always hurt, plays soft and is paid almost as much as our captain and Bridges combined. He spaces the floor - that’s great - but his mentality on and off the court doesn’t fit with the culture we built. This is square peg in a round hole. This has massive failure potential on it - and if it fails, we destroyed any window of winning a title with Brunson.

Not many people seem to dislike the trade and except yourself and the usual suspects.

Didn't you hate the Brunson trade too?

Melo, you have receipts on this?

So, we should have stayed the course with Randle and Donte? That was a true contender with Brunson? Not sure of that either. And then Randle was due an extension or new contract.

Karl Anthony Towns is not the player you think of when trying to elevate into a title contender.

I wasn’t a Randle fan, but this is a more expensive Randle in some ways, just with a different mentality.

The usual suspects lol. The respected basketball media - not Kendrick Perkins - is lukewarm on the trade. Mixed reactions on this forum and in the media as I said. Didn’t say everyone disliked it. I said mixed reactions. You’re better off sticking to making troll posts if you’re write bull.

And yeah, please Melo bring up the receipts of me wanting Brunson way before anyone even considered wanting him. Let’s see those receipts. They’re there. Now let’s see yours. Probably a lot more bull than mine. A lot more. But yours is under the guise of being ‘positive’, right? Gtfo.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

KAT doesn't make you a true 5 out team because he can't defend. Might as well play small ball with Randle. And you'll still have 5 out spacing with no interior defense and good rebounding.

If you're going to sacrifice defense, you go with overwhelming offense and KAT gives us true 5 out, low amount of touches per game relative to output (53 per game vs 72 per game for Randle), and the three point shooting is at 40% on 6 attempts per game the last 5 seasons.

Our halfcourt offense should be an absolute buzzsaw, all they need to do is manage a top 10 defense which they probably will. The Nuggets won the title with the 15th rated defense, and 5th best offense.

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KAT from deep the last 9 games of his playoff run. So overwhelming offensively I mean what are they going to do when Big Purr is shooting 20% from deep. So fearful.

But, you said to just run 5 out with Randle who is shooting .283 from three in his playoffs career. I don't get it, the only person we could have gotten that's better than KAT requires a time machine, go back and trade for Kristaps, outside of that we weren't going anywhere with Randle.

If we have a top 4 offense and a top 10 defense we're going to go further into the playoffs than we would with Randle, just like the Wolves got further with KAT as their second best player. If you're going to flame out, at least do it in the conference finals.

[KnixinSix]

KAT doesn't make you a true 5 out team because he can't defend. Might as well play small ball with Randle. And you'll still have 5 out spacing with no interior defense and good rebounding.

Many metrics and the eyeball test of how he played vs Jokic and KD in the playoffs would seem to strongly refute that.

KAT looked good vs Jokic because he was smoking wide open jumpers that KAT as part of their defensive scheme gave to Jokic. He scored 59 points on 55 shots guarded by KAT despite shooting 4-21 from deep. Leaving Jokic to take wide open 3s and praying he misses isn't great defense.

And he guarded KD only in game one. KD had 31 on 11/17 shooting and they took KAT off as the primary defender.

On top of all of that he's not a PF for us he's a C. KAT at C was the worst defensive player in the league for almost a decade. It's easier to hide him with Gobert and Reid behind him but now he's the backbone of our defense.

There's a reason Minny felt safe moving him, and it's because quite frankly if he wasn't on the roster they go to the Finals.

Did you watch the video just posted above?

He NO QUESTION played excellent D vs Jokic.

Watch on YouTube

[E-Balla]

Ok I guess you know best then and better than a front office that is likely going to go down as one of the best front offices in Knick history.

Yes. Yes I do. The **** you thought I was gonna be humble? I been here over a decade and I've predicted bad moves before we made them and good moves before we made them.

I wanted Brunson long before y'all. I said we needed to take Haliburton if we got the first overall pick. I said go for Donovan Mitchell over Frank if we wanted a defensive G. Let's not act like I don't know hoops and watch way more basketball than anyone in our front office.

EBalla.....Randle was a flawed superstar too you know.

Randle is getting flawed star money. $28.9 mil.

KAT is getting MVP money. Here's the players with more guaranteed money than KAT in 2027: Finals and ECF MVP Jaylen Brown, perennial first team all NBA and MVP finalist Jayson Tatum, 2x MVP Nikola Jokic, 2x MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo, Anthony Davis.

One who had 0 high level playoff performances vs KAT who may not have played great vs Dallas but had two very strong series vs KD and Jokic the two rounds before.

KAT has had good to great games in the playoffs, Randle has literally had 0.

Oh and KATs efficiency ratings on offense are through the roof and he is not ball dominant like Randle is.

So yes KAT is not without risk but he is very likely an upgrade and a better fit next to Brunson.

Why are we comparing KAT to a guy making half his money? Do y'all not see how insane it is we're paying a guy MVP money and holding him to the standards of a guy making $29 mil like that's a win?

[Buttah304]

For real some of the takes are puzzling because it’s mostly a morning state of depression over losing Donte. Even a lot of my boys are punching a wall over seeing him gone.

And the best part is when we signed him reactions were littered with: he’s just another player, journeyman from SAC>MIL>GS, why overpay, bricks a ton, he’s redundant, he’s another dude under 6’5”

Don’t get wrong, being 3rd in NBA in threes made and making Knick history was a bright spot. But this is the same guy that before his Game 6 heroic vs Philly was 9-31 3PT games 1-5. He was excellent games 1-3 vs IND and not good 4-6. Point is you can simultaneously be a great long range shooter while also being insanely streaky. Not to mention the fact that everyone on this board overrated his defense. He loved being aggressive in the passing lanes but gambled too much and got burned. Often overmatched physically due to size limitations. From Feb-April of the regular season he AVG 38min per and took 1.6 FTA so it’s not as if he was also giving you rim pressure.

He had a career year, embraced NY, had the gritty qualities we all admire and made some big plays. Now he’s chasing a bag and a bigger role. I seriously wish him the best but let’s move on.

[jvsimonetti0514]

Lmao, Cmon guys, answers to all these hypothetical are already out there. He grew up rooting for the Knicks his whole life, he loved going into the city the same way most suburban Jersey kids do, and he even played at the Rucker as a kid.

Not that google Ai is right ever but it said Kat didn’t play at dyckman. Can you cite him saying he did? I probably can’t find it.

Just from personal experience growing up in Jersey, we didn’t spend a whole lot of time going to New York and most of my class ended up in Hoboken or stayed in the burbs and not the city. I know this isn’t universal but where Kat grew up is like 30 mins south of me now and There’s a lot Philly people. I wouldn’t be too shocked if he was just a Knicks fan that didn’t go to the city a ton cuz Jersey is filled with them. The city isn’t for everyone and we see this with athletes all the time.

https://nypost.com/2015/05/18/karl-anthony-towns-on-possibly-going-from-knicks-fan-to-savior/?utm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=pasteboard_app

Serby: I’m asking all these Knicks questions because Knicks fans are praying that you wind up with the Knicks.

Towns: It would be an honor, not only as a player, but as a Knicks fan, to be able to play for that organization. It’s gonna be, I guess a childhood dream — rooting for the Knicks all this time, and the next thing you know, you hear an organization call your name to go out there and give it your best shot. I think it would be very cool, and really very honored and blessed to be able to play for them.

Serby: What are your favorite New York City things?

Towns: I like the scenery. Times Square is awesome. Being able to walk around, I love going to New York, have some pizza. When I was younger, I played in Rucker Park once, it was awesome. There’s so much history behind New York, and so much history that it takes people lifetimes to realize it all.

Had a feeling Google ai was lying to me. Although Kat liking Times Square is a red flag

[Moose]

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?

Reports say they wanted two firsts for Kessler. They have no real motivation to make this trade except for moving Collins.

Maybe they can flip or even keep Ingram (if it works out).

I think it makes sense for all teams, personally. Gives the Knicks more useful depth and a center who can start or come off the bench. Plus, financially, it helps.

Though I would like to keep Dadiet.

[3toheadmelo]

The general rule is that if you feel uneasy or just plain bad about a trade then it likely isn’t a good trade.

This trade has had mixed reactions across the board here, in the general public, in basketball media, etc.

We locked into an absolutely horrible contract for a minimum of the next 3 years - the 4th year will be expiring and possibly more tradeable. The guy is always hurt, plays soft and is paid almost as much as our captain and Bridges combined. He spaces the floor - that’s great - but his mentality on and off the court doesn’t fit with the culture we built. This is square peg in a round hole. This has massive failure potential on it - and if it fails, we destroyed any window of winning a title with Brunson.

Not many people seem to dislike the trade and except yourself and the usual suspects.

Didn't you hate the Brunson trade too?

Melo, you have receipts on this?

So, we should have stayed the course with Randle and Donte? That was a true contender with Brunson? Not sure of that either. And then Randle was due an extension or new contract.

Karl Anthony Towns is not the player you think of when trying to elevate into a title contender.

I wasn’t a Randle fan, but this is a more expensive Randle in some ways, just with a different mentality.

The usual suspects lol. The respected basketball media - not Kendrick Perkins - is lukewarm on the trade. Mixed reactions on this forum and in the media as I said. Didn’t say everyone disliked it. I said mixed reactions. You’re better off sticking to making troll posts if you’re write bull.

And yeah, please Melo bring up the receipts of me wanting Brunson way before anyone even considered wanting him. Let’s see those receipts. They’re there. Now let’s see yours. Probably a lot more bull than mine. A lot more. But yours is under the guise of being ‘positive’, right? Gtfo.

Hey I’m not getting involved in this for the record

[E-Balla]

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

KAT doesn't make you a true 5 out team because he can't defend. Might as well play small ball with Randle. And you'll still have 5 out spacing with no interior defense and good rebounding.

If you're going to sacrifice defense, you go with overwhelming offense and KAT gives us true 5 out, low amount of touches per game relative to output (53 per game vs 72 per game for Randle), and the three point shooting is at 40% on 6 attempts per game the last 5 seasons.

Our halfcourt offense should be an absolute buzzsaw, all they need to do is manage a top 10 defense which they probably will. The Nuggets won the title with the 15th rated defense, and 5th best offense.

KAT averages 19 ppg on 47/35 splits in the playoffs. Be **** serious.

[G_K_F]

Not many people seem to dislike the trade and except yourself and the usual suspects.

Didn't you hate the Brunson trade too?

Melo, you have receipts on this?

So, we should have stayed the course with Randle and Donte? That was a true contender with Brunson? Not sure of that either. And then Randle was due an extension or new contract.

Karl Anthony Towns is not the player you think of when trying to elevate into a title contender.

I wasn’t a Randle fan, but this is a more expensive Randle in some ways, just with a different mentality.

The usual suspects lol. The respected basketball media - not Kendrick Perkins - is lukewarm on the trade. Mixed reactions on this forum and in the media as I said. Didn’t say everyone disliked it. I said mixed reactions. You’re better off sticking to making troll posts if you’re write bull.

And yeah, please Melo bring up the receipts of me wanting Brunson way before anyone even considered wanting him. Let’s see those receipts. They’re there. Now let’s see yours. Probably a lot more bull than mine. A lot more. But yours is under the guise of being ‘positive’, right? Gtfo.

Hey I’m not getting involved in this for the record

I wasn’t being serious. This guy name dropped you randomly lol.

I’ll find that myself if needed. Have nothing to hide.

[Wildcat]

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

That seems opposite of what's being reported. And no one has ever meant excitement when typing in "...". I mean, Randle's wife was on it and I'm going to miss that support. This sulking is just intensifying the issues I've already had with KAT coming in.

[KnixinSix]

Ok I guess you know best then and better than a front office that is likely going to go down as one of the best front offices in Knick history.

Yes. Yes I do. The **** you thought I was gonna be humble? I been here over a decade and I've predicted bad moves before we made them and good moves before we made them.

I wanted Brunson long before y'all. I said we needed to take Haliburton if we got the first overall pick. I said go for Donovan Mitchell over Frank if we wanted a defensive G. Let's not act like I don't know hoops and watch way more basketball than anyone in our front office.

EBalla.....Randle was a flawed superstar too you know.

Randle is getting flawed star money. $28.9 mil.

KAT is getting MVP money. Here's the players with more guaranteed money than KAT in 2027: Finals and ECF MVP Jaylen Brown, perennial first team all NBA and MVP finalist Jayson Tatum, 2x MVP Nikola Jokic, 2x MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo, Anthony Davis.

One who had 0 high level playoff performances vs KAT who may not have played great vs Dallas but had two very strong series vs KD and Jokic the two rounds before.

KAT has had good to great games in the playoffs, Randle has literally had 0.

Oh and KATs efficiency ratings on offense are through the roof and he is not ball dominant like Randle is.

So yes KAT is not without risk but he is very likely an upgrade and a better fit next to Brunson.

Why are we comparing KAT to a guy making half his money? Do y'all not see how insane it is we're paying a guy MVP money and holding him to the standards of a guy making $29 mil like that's a win?

You shouldn't bother watching this season then. It already sounds like you think it will be a disaster

[SelbyCobra]

A part of this that makes me feel amazing about this deal is that Leon/Brock constructed a huge portion of it's value completely on their own. In a situation (KAT being on the trade market) that only exists because of Minnesota's owner and the CBA structure, the tipping point in the deal was Donte DiVincenzo, a guy whose increased value around the league has as much to do with his ability on the court as it does with the contract he signed off it.

Donte is a great role player, but isn't a difference maker as a basketball player in a blockbuster deal like this. Donte as a role player on one of the best value contracts in the NBA, ends up being a difference maker to a Minnesota organization looking at financial concerns first and foremost right now. Leon and Brock created that separating value completely themselves.

[KnixinSix]

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

That seems opposite of what's being reported. And no one has ever meant excitement when typing in "...". I mean, Randle's wife was on it and I'm going to miss that support. This sulking is just intensifying the issues I've already had with KAT coming in.

Said this before.....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