KAT To The Knicks Part 2

[F N 11]

Hasn't even worn Knicks uni yet and he's already being hated by so many Knicks fans...the guy never stood a chance to win them over especially considering Knicks lost fan fave Divo in the deal, not even getting Randle out of town in the trade is enough to help him get any love.

It’s sad! I know most of it is hating losing Donte. Some is cope.

[DaGawd]

Hasn't even worn Knicks uni yet and he's already being hated by so many Knicks fans...the guy never stood a chance to win them over especially considering Knicks lost fan fave Divo in the deal, not even getting Randle out of town in the trade is enough to help him get any love.

yeah the general atmosphere amongst knicks fandom has turned hella toxic since friday night

[DOT]

In the playoffs last year, KAT scored 1.13 ppp on post-ups on 2.9 possessions a game

Regular season he was at 1.07 ppp on 2.7 a game

To be fair, that's a bit better than he normally is, he's usually in the 0.9-0.95 ppp range over the last 5 years, but still. He's at least comparable to Randle as a post-up scorer (Randle was in that same range those same years, except one year he was at .70 ppp, but that was clearly an outlier)

He was also an elite roll man for the Wolves last year, at 1.44 ppp (only 2 possessions per game, not enough in the playoffs to count) to Randle's .76 ppp on 0.9 a game last year (was 1.16 ppp on 1.3 possessions per game 2 years ago so bit of an outlier last season, though KAT was 1.2 ppp on 1.9 a game 2 years ago and 1.2 ppp on 2.8 a game 3 years ago, so I think he's safely a consistent roll threat)

Spotting up, KAT wasn't super efficient last year, only 0.95 ppp on 5.2 possessions, about the same as Randle at .93 ppp on 5 possessions, and in the playoffs those numbers didn't change, however I do have to note that is slightly better than Randle in the playoffs 2 years ago and 4 years ago, at .83-.85 ppp, and if we play KAT at C, that's much more valuable than similar numbers with Randle at the 4

So theoretically, KAT will provide what Randle did on offense but with more consistent shooting as well as from the C position rather than the PF position. If I had to guess, I don't think we'll do a true 5-out style of offense, I think we'll have KAT be more of an interior threat with the ability to stretch the floor if needed. Think what we had iHart doing, but with more range as well as better shooting around him. You can argue if that's worth the money we're paying him, but I think it's a moot point given how we would've either had to re-sign Randle or trade him regardless, it's not like we'd have cap space by letting him walk.

[Iron Mantis]

Hasn't even worn Knicks uni yet and he's already being hated by so many Knicks fans...the guy never stood a chance to win them over especially considering Knicks lost fan fave Divo in the deal, not even getting Randle out of town in the trade is enough to help him get any love.

Leon was shopping Randle to any team that would listen.

He was getting rid of him one way or another.

Guess they would have been happier if he was traded for Capella.

[F N 11]

Leme guess Josh Hart is lying about loving what the team has bc of his love for Donte. Lmao some of yall don’t deserve to root for the team.

Read on Twitter

?s=46

[F N 11]

Hasn't even worn Knicks uni yet and he's already being hated by so many Knicks fans...the guy never stood a chance to win them over especially considering Knicks lost fan fave Divo in the deal, not even getting Randle out of town in the trade is enough to help him get any love.

Leon was shopping Randle to any team that would listen.

He was getting rid of him one way or another.

Guess they would have been happier if he was traded for Capella.

People would have cried about Randle for Bodega straight up and you know it.

[god shammgod]

Hasn't even worn Knicks uni yet and he's already being hated by so many Knicks fans...the guy never stood a chance to win them over especially considering Knicks lost fan fave Divo in the deal, not even getting Randle out of town in the trade is enough to help him get any love.

yeah the general atmosphere amongst knicks fandom has turned hella toxic since friday night

if i searched all our regular posters history on here i'd find most of them talking sh*t about him in the past. it's not us who's switching up.

[E-Balla]

Hasn't even worn Knicks uni yet and he's already being hated by so many Knicks fans...the guy never stood a chance to win them over especially considering Knicks lost fan fave Divo in the deal, not even getting Randle out of town in the trade is enough to help him get any love.

His contract was accepted by Minny fans because he's stayed there. They don't mind paying him way more than his worth because he stuck with them all those down years. We don't have a history with him so he's just a player worth $30 mil making $56 mil to us. Then the personality fit with the Knicks just ain't strong we known as the meanest fans in the league lol.

[3toheadmelo]

Marc stein with some intel

Three more reasons why the Wolves felt as though they had to act now: 1. Coach Chris Finch worked with Randle as an assistant in New Orleans and knows his game very well after collaborating during Randle's lone season with the Pelicans … setting Randle up to sign with the Knicks as a better-than-they-ever-dreamed consolation prize once Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving elected to join the Nets instead; 2. Minnesota, league sources say, was the losing finalist to New York in free agency in 2023 when DiVincenzo chose to sign with the Knicks and never stopped wanting the rugged 3-and-D swingman who shot 40.1% from 3-point range last season on one of the league's best bargain contracts (DDV will earn $11.4 million this season); 3. The Wolves need an infusion of playmaking on a roster that features 37-year-old Mike Conley and rookie Rob Dillingham as the primary point guards ... and Randle's ability to make plays could (stress: could) offset the concerns about his inconsistent long-range shooting and what that might mean for Minnesota's spacing. Randle, mind you, arrives with his own array of question marks given that we haven't seen him on the floor since last January because of shoulder surgery and the uncertainty about his future with only next season's $30.1 million player option left on his current contract.

They chose 2 role players over KAT

Most league insiders I've spoken to since the deal went public have been more surprised by Minnesota's willingness to abruptly change course so soon after its first sniff of playoff success in 20 years than the Knicks' willingness to swing so big now. The Knicks, after all, have been linked to a potential pursuit of Towns for years. The case can certainly be made that the Wolves owed it to Towns especially to give last season's core one more shot at a playoff run after Minnesota so impressively ousted the reigning champions from Denver in last spring's second round. The Wolves, though, clearly reasoned that they couldn't pass up this opportunity to turn Towns' crippling contract into two frontline players and put themselves on a path to greater financial flexibility that could allow them to re-sign both Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Word is that the Wolves want to make sure they can re-sign both Reid and Alexander-Walker for Anthony Edwards' supporting cast and moving out Towns' $220-plus million owed over the next four seasons greatly enhances Minnesota's chances … despite the ongoing lack of clarity over who will actually own this team after Glen Taylor vs. Marc Lore/Alex Rodriguez arbitration proceedings begin in November.

Sounds like that guy we got from Minny pushed this deal more than Leon..

The Knicks going all-in for Towns, before newly acquired Mikal Bridges could even play a game alongside his fellow Villanova alumni Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and the suddenly discarded DiVincenzo, is the latest example of the strong influence former Timberwolves executive Gersson Rosas has in New York's front office. In February 2022, you'll recall, we broke the story here of the Knicks' hiring of Rosas as a consultant in the wake of his incredibly messy exit as Minnesota's lead decision-maker ... which also, like this trade, took place right before training camp began. Rosas was elevated to senior vice president of basketball operations before last season and, according to league sources, is Towns' foremost fan in the Knicks' organization. Yes: Even ahead of Towns' former agent Leon Rose. Rosas is said to have been pushing for a Towns trade even before this summer's free agent departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson's subsequent slow recovery from an ankle injury heightened the Knicks' need for immediate help at center.

Knicks on crack if they think he can be KP.

From a purely basketball point of view, Towns certainly makes lots of sense for the Knicks. He is the most accomplished long-range-shooting big man in today's game and the Knicks think he can be their Kristaps Porziņģis … Boston version. There is no doubt he can ability-wise, but no shortage of curiosity (and, frankly, skepticism) is bubbling A) about Towns' ability to handle the considerable spotlight and pressure that comes with being billed and slotted into the Knicks' lineup as the last piece to make them a real championship threat; B) whether all is really forgotten between he and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after Thibs was abruptly cast aside in Minnesota to cement Towns as the Wolves' post-Jimmy Butler, pre-Anthony Edwards centerpiece; and C) Towns' own injury history that has forced him to miss at least 20 games (and often more) in four of the past five seasons.

Christ it's worse than I thought...

We going backwards smh

[sol537]

Mitch, Dadiet, WAS 1st, plus two 2nd rounders for Herb Jones. Who says no?

[F N 11]

Mitch, Dadiet, WAS 1st, plus two 2nd rounders for Herb Jones. Who says no?

Leon

[spree8]

Mitch, Dadiet, WAS 1st, plus two 2nd rounders for Herb Jones. Who says no?

Nobody

[Iron Mantis]

Leme guess Josh Hart is lying about loving what the team has bc of his love for Donte. Lmao some of yall don’t deserve to root for the team.

Read on Twitter

?s=46

They don't get to celebrate with us as we win.

The get to sit in the corner and pout.

[NYKinMIA]

Name one team that is actually a contender that wouldn't be affected by a rim defending C?

I didn't get a chance to reply to your bullshyt post questioning my fandom before the other thread got locked.

for someone that claims such high intelligence, sarcasm seems to be lost on you.

listen e-bola, save your antics for people that enjoy typing as much as you apparently do.

I'll question whatever the **** I wanna question if you don't like people making predictions log off in the offseason you won't be missed hoe.

insults and hyperbole expose you.

I'm not going any-fuqin-where, kid.

[stuporman]

Even if it doesn't work(get a title or at least finals appearance) the fact that Rose turned Randle, RJ, IQ, Divo from last season's opening game roster and 6 first round picks into KAT, OG and Bridges in under 12 months has to be noted as one of the boldest and impressing displays of dealing we have ever seen not just from a Knicks FO but from just about any FO in recent memory.

[3toheadmelo]

You know damn well I’ve watched KAT play. I watch all NBA teams, not just Knicks games.

KAT has his flaws but shot creation is not one of the things we should be worried about.

Yes his level of physicality and toughness have come in question. But that wasn’t necessarily the topic that I was responding to. Jim asked about his shot creating ability.

Watch on YouTube

I’m not too sold on his shot creation. His scoring is always down in the post season. Only averages 18 PPG. That year with butler he averaged 15 PPG.

I acknowledge the drop in post season scoring from him. But I think he is more reliable in that regard than Randle, who was even worse and at all-time low efficiency. And that’s who we have to directly compare him to cuz that’s who he’s replacing.

And then I view Mikal as an upgrade overall over Donte.

I think the true indicator of our team’s fate will be health, and ultimately what we do with Mitch.

Do we keep Mitch and start him beside KAT if/when he’s healthy? The KAT/Gobert model shows that can be very successful.

Or do we trade Mitch and try to pry away Trey Murphy then attempt to find a cheap rim protecting stop gap big for Mitch’s scaled down role off the bench?

Randle’s offense goes beyond scoring though. Even on one ankle he still had the best offensive rating on the team and a positive net rating in the heat series. His playmaking ability and gravity that draws double teams opens up the game for the rest of the team. Hence why all of our players have a higher EFG% with Randle on the court versus off the court. KAT doesn’t make his team mates better around like Randle did. If he’s not scoring, he isn’t affecting the game. But yes, KAT is a better scorer in the post season, I won’t disagree about that.


We have to follow the Gobert/KAT model. KAT at the 5 has been super unsuccessful defensively. If Mitch ain’t healthy and we can’t trade him for a different rim protector, we are fked imo.

[E-Balla]

Hasn't even worn Knicks uni yet and he's already being hated by so many Knicks fans...the guy never stood a chance to win them over especially considering Knicks lost fan fave Divo in the deal, not even getting Randle out of town in the trade is enough to help him get any love.

yeah the general atmosphere amongst knicks fandom has turned hella toxic since friday night

if i searched all our regular posters history on here i'd find most of them talking sh*t about him in the past. it's not us who's switching up.

From July:

randle has legit played batter than kat the past like 3 years let’s be real

I still am having some battered fan syndrome side effects in not trusting this FO to make the proper decision on that supastah player...a stack of unprotected picks and young players for someone like Lavine, KAT or PG ruins everything they have done so far and I'm not convinced they have the resolve to avoid a move like this. I hope they prove me wrong.

We been on here calling a trade for KAT a horrible outcome for a while now lol. MPH (I'll give him his credit) is one of the few people that always liked the idea of KAT to NY.

EDIT: I'll throw Context in too I know that's his guy lol.

[F N 11]

Josh Hart and Donte would have been fighting for minutes. With the caliber of the starting lineup, with Randle being back. It would have been real hard to bench OG or Mikal for Donte or Josh. Depending on lineups, Josh Hart may not finish games unless we go with Kat at Center officially. Would Josh and Donte be happy with 18-20 minutes a game max? Donte as a casualty of upgrading which is why I think he wanted to be traded.

[3toheadmelo]

Hasn't even worn Knicks uni yet and he's already being hated by so many Knicks fans...the guy never stood a chance to win them over especially considering Knicks lost fan fave Divo in the deal, not even getting Randle out of town in the trade is enough to help him get any love.

yeah the general atmosphere amongst knicks fandom has turned hella toxic since friday night

if i searched all our regular posters history on here i'd find most of them talking sh*t about him in the past. it's not us who's switching up.

Exactly. Now all of a sudden since he’s a Knick, he was never soft, the best shooting big man of all time, never got punked by his ex team mates. Like they forgot they clowned him for all of those things. But these are homers, so it explains a lot.

[E-Balla]

I didn't get a chance to reply to your bullshyt post questioning my fandom before the other thread got locked.

for someone that claims such high intelligence, sarcasm seems to be lost on you.

listen e-bola, save your antics for people that enjoy typing as much as you apparently do.

I'll question whatever the **** I wanna question if you don't like people making predictions log off in the offseason you won't be missed hoe.

insults and hyperbole expose you.

I'm not going any-fuqin-where, kid.

Expose me? **** we talking about BASKETBALL.

TF you think you exposing? That I like talking ****? That's not new I been around a decade atp.

Get a grip my boy. Mind you you're mad I said we shouldn't have to delude ourselves that the team is good to tune in especially when we always suck but look at you, emotional.