Breaking: KAT to the Knicks

[Jstock12]

More versatile in that KAT can play some drop coverage and guard the rim better...by no means do I think KAT is a good defender. I also think Randle can move his feet better...he just really never put much effort at all on defense. And I simply just don't think they believe they could get away with Randle at the 5.

Towns is simply the better player. Even if he appears slow, he can at least guard bigs well. Randle isn’t a plus-defender or defensive playmaker either. Towns is the much better shooter, rebounder and has higher bball-IQ.

KAT's bball-IQ isn't high when he starts committing dumb fouls and fouling out of games.

KAT has a nice skillset but the low bbiq and low motor sort of prevented him from breaking out into a top10 player.

[Jay10]

Towns is simply the better player. Even if he appears slow, he can at least guard bigs well. Randle isn’t a plus-defender or defensive playmaker either. Towns is the much better shooter, rebounder and has higher bball-IQ.

KAT's bball-IQ isn't high when he starts committing dumb fouls and fouling out of games.

It is higher when he moves the ball and doesn’t put his head down to dribble into triple teams though.

People now have to hope that KAT forces opposing teams to double team him the way they had to against Julius, or Brunson is going to have to work harder.

[KnixinSix]

Adios Mitch

Doubtful I think Mitch is staying here.

[Houston99]

I don’t know how I feel about this

[KnixinSix]

KAT's bball-IQ isn't high when he starts committing dumb fouls and fouling out of games.

It is higher when he moves the ball and doesn’t put his head down to dribble into triple teams though.

People now have to hope that KAT forces opposing teams to double team him the way they had to against Julius, or Brunson is going to have to work harder.

Spacing will be sick on the floor.

[blueNorange]

deuce went from being trade bait for a whack center to now getting near 30 mpg

[Jay10]

As good as he was against Denver he was way worse vs the mavs. He literally killed his team that series.

I just can't see a team with KAT as the 2nd best player winning it all. Especially if he is going to be our C. He isn't good enough.

All KAT had to do that series against the Mavericks was not fall for their bait of giving him the open 3 pointers, because they knew they couldn't stop him when he attack the rim, but the man just couldn't fight the urge.

Knicks much better set up to take on KAT with all the fantastic defenders they have on the team.

i'm referring to the Mavs trapping Anthony Edwards and forcing the ball into KAT's hand for 3 point attempts and him refusing to attack the rim.

[spree2kawhi]

Is he really more versatile? Randle can at least move his feet and switch on to wings. KAT is stone footed. Teams targeted him the most in the playoffs than anyone else. Boston is gonna drive and kick on him all series long unless Thibs does a miracle on him.

Read on Twitter

More versatile in that KAT can play some drop coverage and guard the rim better...by no means do I think KAT is a good defender. I also think Randle can move his feet better...he just really never put much effort at all on defense. And I simply just don't think they believe they could get away with Randle at the 5.

Randle was on and off on his effort but he was never put on an island like teams did to KAT in the post season. He also thrived defensively at the 5 on the lakers, so I would’ve taken my chance. Another thing is that KAT struggled heavily against Boston too where as Randle destroyed them quite a few times already. So idk man..

Randle was targeted on the other end though because he frequently over-dribbles. So far, we even got to keep Robinson as a rim protector. I mean, it is an obvious upgrade.

[3toheadmelo]

The reason I stopped lurking and signed up in RealGM was to support Team Towns in the KAT vs DLo vs Okafor debates. Wow!

Same here. I was sad af when we lost the lottery and then clips of KAT dominating pre draft workouts was a heart breaker hopefully we can get his defense from Kentucky ..

I had this same avatar as a Lion ever since 2015 because I wanted us to land the Big KAT so badly. I was depressed as well for some time after that lottery even though KP was a solid consolation. I remember the NBA draft show citing Patrick Ewing as a comparison for KAT being a gut punch for me. He didn’t turn out to be an elite two-way player that I expected him to be, but did not anticipate him being an offensive juggernaut. He still shows flashes of defense though as seen vs Jokic and I hope he takes that next step here.

We didn’t get Ayton but we got one of our draft favorites in KAT. Wild times.

KAT played Jokic well but all of his flaws were on show against Dallas again. This can easily backfire imo

[Clyde_Style]

We're giving up Daquan Jeffries?

I hate this trade!

[F N 11]

NOTHING MAKes ME HAPPIER than Randle FINALLY OFF MY Team

I hear you but feels weird bc he was getting better and the timing. This is all about the commitment to Brunson.

[Stannis]

Definitely want to hold onto Mitch if possible.

Towns looks like a lone wolf out on that front court right now. Precious is still raw and lacks experience.

I like KAT better than Randle obviously. I think KAT is more suited because he can play the 4 and 5. But there's going to be a lot of time where we want him at the 4 and Mitch at the 5.

He'll take a beating when he's at the 5 and I guess jHart at the 4 lol?

[Jay10]

Same here. I was sad af when we lost the lottery and then clips of KAT dominating pre draft workouts was a heart breaker hopefully we can get his defense from Kentucky ..

I had this same avatar as a Lion ever since 2015 because I wanted us to land the Big KAT so badly. I was depressed as well for some time after that lottery even though KP was a solid consolation. I remember the NBA draft show citing Patrick Ewing as a comparison for KAT being a gut punch for me. He didn’t turn out to be an elite two-way player that I expected him to be, but did not anticipate him being an offensive juggernaut. He still shows flashes of defense though as seen vs Jokic and I hope he takes that next step here.

We didn’t get Ayton but we got one of our draft favorites in KAT. Wild times.

KAT played Jokic well but all of his flaws were on show against Dallas again. This can easily backfire imo

KAT literally shot his team out a championship because all he wanted to do was shoot 3 pointers.

[TheGreenArrow]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

Brunson & Kat are about to be Murray and Jokic on steroids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KnixinSix]

Is he really more versatile? Randle can at least move his feet and switch on to wings. KAT is stone footed. Teams targeted him the most in the playoffs than anyone else. Boston is gonna drive and kick on him all series long unless Thibs does a miracle on him.

Read on Twitter

More versatile in that KAT can play some drop coverage and guard the rim better...by no means do I think KAT is a good defender. I also think Randle can move his feet better...he just really never put much effort at all on defense. And I simply just don't think they believe they could get away with Randle at the 5.

Randle was on and off on his effort but he was never put on an island like teams did to KAT in the post season. He also thrived defensively at the 5 on the lakers, so I would’ve taken my chance. Another thing is that KAT struggled heavily against Boston too where as Randle destroyed them quite a few times already. So idk man..

1 year of Randle << 4 years of KAT

[Grinditout]

I know KAT is the best player in the trade, but this just feels wrong/off.

Wonder when Robinson gets back, what happens and what the startinf lineup looks like.

[BKlutch]

I just hope I’m wrong about KAT. But I’ll rock with him

He’s trash, not built for NY

This is an epic f*ck up

You're just upset that he will be the real NY KAT, not u!

[knicksstuff]

Daquan Jeffries sign and trade with Charlie Brown snd minimum contract are going to charlotte to complete the trade for anyone that missed and keeps mentioning Mitch

[Wildcat]

1. KAT is CAA and is from Jersey

2. KAT had a few good playoff series before the finals. In fact he played darn well vs Jokic

3. KATs defense last year was actually pretty good by many metrics.

4. KAT can play the 4 or 5.

5. KATs fit with Brunson is excellent. We now potentially have 40% or near 3 ball shooters 1-5.

6. Randle has had 0 good playoff series this may be an upgrade.

Again, like Randle, you're only as good as your last playoff series. Seems like fair game to me.

0 quality playoff series for Randle vs a guy whos actually had a few good playoff series. A guy who better fits with Brunson.

And again, you're only as good as your last playoff series. If you're going to hold Julius playing on a bum ankle to that standard, hold KAT to it, too.

I'm not discussing fit. Just hold KAT to same standards Randle is.

[Context]

More insight on how the trade evolved:

Read on Twitter

The Wolves’ perspective on this, as I can gather on a Friday night, is they like the optionality this trade gives them in the Anthony Edwards window — and the added opportunity within that time that it grants Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels, who should be peaking at the same time as Ant.

Making this trade doesn’t necessarily save money, but it could provide financial optionality over the next few years into Ant’s prime. The Wolves felt they needed to not be locked into one path with Ant.

The question will be how much the trade off from Karl-Anthony Towns to Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo costs them in terms of production in the immediate.

New York’s more recent willingness to include DiVincenzo, along with the 1st via Detroit, is what activated these trade talks. The Wolves pursued DiVincenzo during his 2023 free agency and are big fans of his.