Karl-Anthony Towns Traded To The Knicks

[jambr380]

The Knicks were always going to be better with the additions of Bridges and Randle, so unless things go totally belly-up, it is going to be seen as a win for them. But I don't necessarily think switching out Randle and DD for Towns is an upgrade.

[W8ting2McHale]

The Knicks might look like contenders on paper right now, but until they can prove it on the court, they?re just paper tigers.

Will Brunson be able to make all the new players around him better? Or will it just be the Jalen Brunson show?

He wasn?t the starting center, but losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency to the Oklahoma City Thunder is going to have a big impact on the Knicks. Even after adding KAT, they won?t have a competent backup until Mitchell Robinson gets back, and they are weak at power forward (if you still consider that an NBA position).

[Donoghus]

How long is Brunson's shelf life as a premier guard?

Last year was a ridiculous season for him.  Is he going to be able to maintain all-NBA level? That's one of the big questions I have.  I do think the Knicks slightly improved with this trade. 
The media will overblow the extent of it.  Celtics are still easily the team to beat in the East.  Health is their biggest enemy to another Finals appearance, its not the Knicks.

[tonydelk]

How long is Brunson's shelf life as a premier guard?

Last year was a ridiculous season for him.  Is he going to be able to maintain all-NBA level? That's one of the big questions I have.  I do think the Knicks slightly improved with this trade. 
The media will overblow the extent of it.  Celtics are still easily the team to beat in the East.  Health is their biggest enemy to another Finals appearance, its not the Knicks.

TP I really agree with this.  The C's need to stay healthy and need Zinger in the playoffs.  While a lot of teams got better no one is as good as this Celtics team.  Normally teams in year 2 improve their chemistry.  I expect the C's by playoff time if they are fully healthy to be even better then last years team.  That's a scary thought.

[Big333223]

Very interesting trade.  My conclusion is that it will be good for both teams. For NYK, I think Towns is an improvement over Randle, not huge, but a better fit.  NYK has built their team around smaller players, Anunoby, Bridges, but with Randle as their primary big, they end up a little small.  Towns gives them more size without sacrificing scoring.  To me, Towns is a better fit for a team that will probably be playing with only 1 true big (like the Celtics).  If you are going to play with one big and then guards and wings, Towns is better to be that one big.

For MIN, it is just the opposite.  Randle is a much better match to play alongside Gobert.  I consider Randle a true big but he is definitely more PF and maybe even a swing.  Gobert and Towns were just too big, not a good fit.  MIN will have Jaden McDaniels playing as their wing.  They will get plenty of scoring from Randle and Edwards so McDaniels doesn't need to score a lot, but that may be a weakness for them.  Gobert doesn't score, and having one non-scorer is not ideal but having two starts to impact balance.

The Knicks are going to be an interesting team when they match up against BOS

Holiday           Brunson
White             Hart
Brown            Bridges
Tatum            Anunoby
Porzingis        Towns

Same basic structure, 2 guards, 2 wings, and 1 scoring 7-footer.  In Brunson, they have a more traditional scoring PG who is the primary offensive initiator, with Hart, a traditional SG, where the Celtics play two classic combo guards, not really either while able to play both at a high level.

That's what I was thinking, too. It feels like both teams now have pieces that fit better together. KAT is a more natural fit playing off Brunson and Randle is a true 4 who can play alongside Gobert.

Knicks now have the 2nd best starting 5 in the NBA.

[Donoghus]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

[Roy H.]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

Stick it on the bulletin board.

KP
Tatum
Brown
White
Holiday

Towns
O.G.
Bridges
Hart
Brunson

Am I being a homer for preferring our team?

[celticinorlando]

Bobby Marks never misses an opportunity to dismiss the Celtics.

[celticinorlando]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

Stick it on the bulletin board.

KP
Tatum
Brown
White
Holiday

Towns
O.G.
Bridges
Hart
Brunson

Am I being a homer for preferring our team?

No. Brunson?s season last year was an anomaly. KAT is a poor defender. Hart?s not going to give you much offense. Neither is OG.

[Donoghus]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

Stick it on the bulletin board.

KP
Tatum
Brown
White
Holiday

Towns
O.G.
Bridges
Hart
Brunson

Am I being a homer for preferring our team?

Not at all. I think an honest viewpoint of the matchup has the Celtics with the advantage of 3/5 positions. 

[Vermont Green]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

Stick it on the bulletin board.

KP
Tatum
Brown
White
Holiday

Towns
O.G.
Bridges
Hart
Brunson

Am I being a homer for preferring our team?

Not at all. I think an honest viewpoint of the matchup has the Celtics with the advantage of 3/5 positions.

I like our 5, for sure, they are totally trying to copy us and our success.

I will say that when it is Horford as the starter instead of Porzingis (which will be the case for the start of the season anyway), it is closer, maybe slight edge to Knicks, but they need to stay healthy too.

[Big333223]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

Stick it on the bulletin board.

KP
Tatum
Brown
White
Holiday

Towns
O.G.
Bridges
Hart
Brunson

Am I being a homer for preferring our team?

Not at all. I think an honest viewpoint of the matchup has the Celtics with the advantage of 3/5 positions.

I like our 5, for sure, they are totally trying to copy us and our success.

I will say that when it is Horford as the starter instead of Porzingis (which will be the case for the start of the season anyway), it is closer, maybe slight edge to Knicks, but they need to stay healthy too.

Yeah, I like the Celtics team better, too. The Knicks 5 is great, probably #2 in the league.

If we look at all 10 guys, the worst offensive player is Hart and the worst defensive player is either Brunson or Towns. The best offensive player is Tatum and the best defensive player is probably Jrue.

[BringToughnessBack]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

That is laughable. Towns is Mr. Softie. Nobody in the east is close to our team if healthy. You cant buy a title with your lead player being soft. Plus, usually,  it takes time to gel as a top team.

[ozgod]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

Stick it on the bulletin board.

KP
Tatum
Brown
White
Holiday

Towns
O.G.
Bridges
Hart
Brunson

Am I being a homer for preferring our team?

No you?re not?I feel like we?re better in every position. And our first guy off the bench is better too.

[Vermont Green]

Well, that didn't take long

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1840837342854013223

That is laughable. Towns is Mr. Softie. Nobody in the east is close to our team if healthy. You cant buy a title with your lead player being soft. Plus, usually,  it takes time to gel as a top team.

I don't think this is all about Towns, the Knicks have added Anunoby and Bridges along with Towns, after Brunson had a break out year where he finished ahead of Tatum in the MVP voting.  I think Towns is a nice add for them, a lot like Porzingis was a nice add to the Celtics.  I still think the Celtics are better overall.

I like Tatum as the "Batman" over Brunson and like Brown over Bridges as the Robin.  I like Holiday and White over Anunoby and Hart as the supporting cast.

It is interesting to compare Towns to Porzingis.  Both are probably the #3 on the team (the Alfred?).  I don't think either is "soft", they are both just big and a little clunky, but both are offensive weapons.  Both can be exploited on defense while also providing rim protection.  I have always like both players.  I guess I would call this a draw.