Shams: KAT to the Knicks

[S.W.A.N]

The Knicks needed someone who could take pressure off of Brunson. I'm just not sure KAT is a significant upgrade over Randle, especially considering they traded depth and apparently a FRP as well.

KAT isn't a bad fit, I'm just not sure he moves the needle for them.

In a vacuum Randle, Divencenzo and a protected first is low price to pay for a top 5ish center. Then you realize that center is KAT….

Once he's healthy Robinson will start at the 5. No way Kat is playing the 5 in the playoffs

I'm guessing that tomorrow we'll find out Robinson is part of the trade. Knicks are at the second apron and need to ship out an extra 8 mill in the trade to make it legal according to some cap guys

[SharoneWright]

knicks gonna be stupidly stacked and this is pretty good for the wolves too. don't sleep on ddv.

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[Kingsway_fan]

That Pistons pick is heavily protected.

Top 13 in 2025
Top 11 in 2026
Top 9 in 2027

This is why Toronto never made that Bruce Brown trade with the Knicks

Lol Masai will end up with a bag of chips for Brown in the end..

[Brinbe]

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[kalel123]

Knicks certainly going all-in and always thought Randle would be the most logical piece to trade but not sure Towns is the guy to take them to promised land though guess he's the best you could get for the package they gave up. Dude is way overpaid, not always reliable when you need him the most, and there's way too much pressure to perform in NY. And not sure I'd trust him to maintain his health under Thibs.

Wolves made a financial decision and got worse for it IMO. Don't know what their cap situation is but I would've rolled the dice for one more year with that roster. Doubt they get to keep Anthony Edwards long-term after this.

[raptoradical]

Seems like a shot in the dark type of move for the knicks. We’ll see how this works out, cause KAT is a sort of soft big man specially for a knicks jersey lol. Also dealing with knicks media/fans?! All that being said, the knicks did need more size..We’ll see

[MoneyBall]

I can see how KAT fits in with the Knicks talent wise, but he doesn't fit in with their tough, physical, defense first philosophy.

Timing is also weird, no?

[MoneyBall]

That Pistons pick is heavily protected.

Top 13 in 2025
Top 11 in 2026
Top 9 in 2027

This is why Toronto never made that Bruce Brown trade with the Knicks

Lol Masai will end up with a bag of chips for Brown in the end..

If they're Miss Vicky's chips I'd still say it's a good deal for us.

[Rapsalot]

Both these teams not afraid to try! I like it for both sides. Honestly I don’t like the pick from Det which is top 13 for 25, top 11 26 and top 9 in 27. If not it becomes a second and I could see Det in top 10 all of those years. To me if I’m Minny I say if the Det does not convert it becomes NYK 2032 first so we at least get reasonable compensation.

[bartron_44]

I think this trade actually makes them scary good..




Robinson
KAT
OG
Bridges
Brunson

If they play him as a stretch 4, along with Bridges, OG and Brunson they are going to be able to defend, as well as shoot the rock from deep around their all-star PG Brunson.

Brunson is going to jave a massive season..,

[aminiaturebuddha]

I've always been lower on KAT than a lot of people, but I'm even lower on Randle. I think this is a great move for the Knicks, and helps balance their roster more.

I quite like DiVincenzo (he was the guy I was really hoping the Raptors would go after with the MLE when they got Otto Porter), but I'm not sure he tips the scales that much in this deal.

KAT is a more consistent shooter than Randle, and is also more willing to make catch-and-shoot plays, rather than spend half of the shot clock trying to go one-on-one, which will be important now that Brunson has really taken control of the offence. His defence, while not amazing, is also still better than Randle's, and his ability to play center is something the Knicks need now that they don't have Hartenstein, and Robinson can never stay healthy.

The one concern for the Knicks should now be their depth. Who would you really trust on that bench in a playoff series? McBride/Hart depending on who starts, and who else?

[Zeno]

I think this trade actually makes them scary good..




Robinson
KAT
OG
Bridges
Brunson

If they play him as a stretch 4, along with Bridges, OG and Brunson they are going to be able to defend, as well as shoot the rock from deep around their all-star PG Brunson.

Brunson is going to jave a massive season..,

Robinson is out until January. There bench is McBride, Precious, Marcus Morris and Shamet. They are scary thin and are basically right at the hardcap 2nd apron.

[Brinbe]

Cam Payne, McBride, Shamet, Morris, Precious, Sims. They also have Kolek and Dadiet, but Thibs and rooks, you know how that goes.

Getting Robinson back in a few months will be a big help as Hart probably becomes the defacto sixth man unless they wanna let OG/Hart guard 4s, let KAT be the C and bring Mitchrob off the bench. Guess it'll depend on matchups and how well KAT can hold up as a defensive anchor.

[Duffman100]

Cam Payne, McBride, Shamet, Morris, Precious, Sims. They also have Kolek and Dadiet, but Thibs and rooks, you know how that goes.

Getting Robinson back in a few months will be a big help as Hart probably becomes the defacto sixth man unless they wanna let OG/Hart guard 4s, let KAT be the C and bring Mitchrob off the bench. Guess it'll depend on matchups and how well KAT can hold up as a defensive anchor.

McBride is the only dude I trust in that list.

[WaltFrazier]

I'd like to hear the rational behind this trade for the wolves.

I think KAT wanted out, that would make the most sense

I read he was at a Timberwolves workout and was stunned by the news

[agkagk]

Don't know if this works for Knicks but I love the aggressiveness. Go all in.

Kinda helps offset the loss of hark

Theyre a lot bigger in the middle with bridges and og

Kat is probably closing out a lot of games at centre.

Hart Brunson bridges og Kat

That works against the Celtics, big time!

That’s gonna be a crazy series. OG and Bridges can lockdown Tatum and Brown. Jrue is getting older so I don’t think he can keep up with brunson

All the way down the lin

Brun vs jrue
Tatum brown vs og bridges
Kat vs podz

Heck even horford vs precious

[MEDIC]

I could see this trade making both teams worse.

KAT is obviously the best player in the deal, but the player I like most is Donte. I think the Kinick will miss his defense and shooting.

Edit: I forgot they aquired Bridges. Donte was expendable.

Alright......good trade for Knicks. They are pretty stacked.

[WaltFrazier]

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That may make sense. I was sad thinking of breaking up the Nova boys before they ever played together but maybe he didn't want it. Good player though, set a Knicks team high for nade threes last season. I'm not sure the Wolves would have taken McBride instead of Donte anyway.

When Mitchell comes back they will have a lot of versatility. And Kat played on a top defensive team in Minny, even had some kudos for guarding Jokic last playoffs. I think he'll be fine on D with OG, Mikal and Hart around him. I hope Thibs keeps the minutes down and they all stay healthy

[DemHeavyHands]

Damn RKO outta nowhere on KAT.

I get it’s a money move, but damn you’re finally relevant again and have KAT in a perfect role and you blow it up

[Brinbe]

Cam Payne, McBride, Shamet, Morris, Precious, Sims. They also have Kolek and Dadiet, but Thibs and rooks, you know how that goes.

Getting Robinson back in a few months will be a big help as Hart probably becomes the defacto sixth man unless they wanna let OG/Hart guard 4s, let KAT be the C and bring Mitchrob off the bench. Guess it'll depend on matchups and how well KAT can hold up as a defensive anchor.

McBride is the only dude I trust in that list.

I think they'll def miss DDV's shooting and what he brought in terms of depth. But when push comes to shove it'll be Brunson's show anyway and he's gonna play like 40+ mins regardless. I think KAT is perfect in that number two star role playing off of him and Bridges is perfectly cast back in the 3rd star role that he was at in Phoenix and OG should thrive as the 4th/5th option.

It's all about Thibs being smarter about minutes and just surviving the regular season without running his guys into the ground. Easier said than done of course.

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That may make sense. I was sad thinking of breaking up the Nova boys before they ever played together but maybe he didn't want it. Good player though, set a Knicks team high for nade threes last season. I'm not sure the Wolves would have taken McBride instead of Donte anyway.

When Mitchell comes back they will have a lot of versatility. And Kat played on a top defensive team in Minny, even had some kudos for guarding Jokic last playoffs. I think he'll be fine on D with OG, Mikal and Hart around him. I hope Thibs keeps the minutes down and they all stay they healthy

This is def their all-in moment. And they def have the horses to legitimately contend. But as we know, it'll all depend on if those horses can still run when it matters in the spring.