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Expectations were high for the Knicks before the start of the regular season, but Knicks fans have been disappointed at what seemed to be a championship caliber team. Over this past offseason, the Knicks let Center Isaiah Hartenstein walk in free agency in order to offer Forward OG Anunoby a five-year, 212.5 million dollar deal to re-sign with the team. Many believed this was an overpay for a role player, considering that the contract made Anunoby the highest paid player on the roster and in franchise history. Two days after Anunoby re-signed, the Knicks signed off on a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, acquiring forward Mikal Bridges, F Keita Bates-Diop and a 2026 second round pick, for F Bojan Bogdanovic, salary filler and five first-round picks, an exorbitant amount for a player that would be the third or fourth option on the team. Part of the motive behind this trade was to reconnect the group of players who all had spots on the Villanova Wildcats college basketball team (Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Donte DiVencenzo).
However, fast forward to just a few days before the beginning of training camp, the Knicks completed yet another blockbuster trade, this time with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Charlotte Hornets, acquiring four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, a 2025 first round pick, while the Hornets received salary filler, two second round picks via the Knicks, and one second round pick via the Timberwolves. This trade came as a shock to most considering the deal was done so late in the offseason, and the Knicks traded Donte DiVincenzo, who played a pivotal role in the Knicks’ overall success and chemistry last year. These changes would prove detrimental to the quality of play from the team, where in the first 11 games of the season, the Knicks finished with a 5-6 record, which was disappointing to many.
The chemistry is also a crucial aspect that affects the level of play, considering the Knicks are turning the season around, presumably due to the team becoming more familiar with each other’s style of play. Some of the woes can also be attributed to injuries, specifically Center Mitchell Robinson, a primary paint defender for the Knicks, who is out until January with an ankle injury, as well as Precious Achiuwa, who has been out the past month suffering from an injured hamstring. Something which has also been concerning fans, is the caliber of KAT’s defense. More analytic Knicks fans noticed in the first few games, opposing teams shot 32/35, a devastating 91.4% from the field within 5 feet of the rim with KAT as the primary defender. In simpler words, KAT has been playing awful inside defense. This statistic has mellowed out a little since this metric was noticed, as opponents now shoot around 60% near the rim when guarded by KAT which is still concerning. Something which may eventually become a long lasting issue is the bench. The Knicks bench production is weak, being dead last in scoring. This is a problem as it increases the workload which the starters have to carry, most likely in the form of more minutes, creating a bigger risk for injuries, as well as simply affecting winning. However, the root of the Knicks’ struggles seem to come mostly from the effectiveness of the bench and frequent injuries, so I devised a few possible trades that could potentially solve some of their issues.
This trade is a swap between two centers for both the Knicks and the Blazers. The Knicks would be trading away Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims and a 2025 second round pick for Robert Williams III, Duop Reath and a 2026 first round pick. Although Robert Williams is also injury prone, he plays great inside defense and is currently active. While some would consider Robinson to be better than Williams, the Knicks need a more effective center core, which will be beneficial for the early months of the season. The Knicks are receiving a first round pick which could be potentially valuable in exchange for a second round pick, which is due to the Trailblazers receiving what most would call a better center, although it would most likely not matter very much considering the Trailblazers are rebuilding.
This other trade would be a trade with the Utah Jazz where it involves Mitchell Robinson and a center. The Knicks would be trading Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride, and a 2026 first round pick for Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and a 2026 first round pick. A recurring theme due to Robinson being out until January, endangering the PF/C rotation for the Knicks. This trade brings in a young, less injury prone center, a veteran guard who can create his own shot, and a valuable first round pick. In exchange, the Jazz would receive Mitchell Robinson, a valuable defender, a first round pick to swap, and Miles McBride, who I was hesitant to add in a trade considering his consistent growth in defense, and shot creation.
This trade with the Hornets is fairly simple. Mitchell Robinson and two second round picks for Nick Richards and Mark Williams. Nick Richards is currently out with a broken rib, and Mark Williams has been gone for a long time, from a lower back injury and currently a tendon strain in his foot. The Knicks get two young centers in exchange for an injury prone center and two first round picks. I still believe in Mark Williams and we know who Nick Richards is, as when he is on the court, he’s a consistent double-double.
Overall, I still believe in the Knicks and I think they can definitely become a 50+ win team. Of course, there are still changes which can be made, whether it be trades, signings, defensive schemes, or simply just chemistry, but this Knicks team is one of the most promising ones in a long time. Whatever the league throws at our guys, they’ll push through it, fulfilling the dreams of many Townsend Harris students who have dreamed of a Knicks championship their whole lives.
