KAT's Got Your Tongue
Why we should all temper our excitement over a new trade rumor
In this newsletter:
OK…let’s talk about it.
Before we get into my main takeaway from this story, a few things…
First, this isn’t really news. As I discussed at length in this space a few weeks ago, Berman already reported that the Knicks were leery of taking on any salary that went past this season because they wanted to maintain flexability in case a “blockbuster trade” opportunity should arise. Karl-Anthony Towns is from the New York area and Minnesota hasn’t ever been what you’d call a highly desirable NBA locale. Do the math.
Second, this isn’t a report about Towns being intrigued by the idea of playing in New York, or even wanting out of Minny. Berman simply writes that “the Knicks, according to the source, envision being in good position to make a blockbuster trade for a star player who could grow ‘disgruntled’’ with his current situation,” and that according to the same source, Towns is a player they’re expected to monitor.
In other news, 28 other teams would also like to put themselves in a position to trade for the most offensively talented big man in the league, both now and maybe ever before it’s all said and done.
That doesn’t mean the Knicks aren’t in a “good” position to be in such talks should they arrive, but “good” won’t cut it here, as there isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t kick the tires on KAT should he grow disgruntled enough to ask out (and again, it should be noted that we’ve gotten no indication that he’s even remotely close to doing so, despite the Wolves current 11-game losing streak and 10-19 record).
This isn’t an Anthony Davis situation or even Kawhi Leonard. Towns has four more years left on his deal after this season. A player in such a situation asking out so early into a new pact would be unprecedented. It also doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
Would the Knicks have a shot? Sure, probably…depending on where they ended up in the lottery (I can’t imagine Minnesota would make a deal before knowing the exact position of at least one pick coming back to them in any trade). A top-five pick this season, New York’s ‘22 unprotected, both Dallas picks, Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina and salary filler certainly gets you in the conversation.
The chances go up if the Wolves demand that any team getting Towns also take back Andrew Wiggins in the deal, just because there aren’t as many teams in a position to take on $60 in incoming salary.
But Wiggins has been better, and although his shooting has regressed back to the norm (30 percent from downtown in his last 14 games after hitting 36 percent through the Wolves’ first 11) they’ve been better when he’s on the court than when he’s been off. Also, having a clean cap is probably less valuable to Minnesota sans Towns than just about any team in the league.
Regardless, the usual suspects would arguably be ahead of New York in line. The Boston Celtics still have their bevy of wings and a Grizzles pick that will convey either this year or next. If ever Ainge was going to go all in for a player, it would be this dude.
The Miami Heat have Bam Adebayo (who’s arguably having a better year than Towns, at least as a two-way force), Tyler Herro and tons of easily movable salary, although they’re out almost all of their future picks.
If draft selections were would the Wolves desired, Sam Presti could jump start Oklahoma City’s rebuild and send over all of the goodies they got in the George and Westbrook trades, along with SGA to seal the deal. Chicago and Atlanta also have enough young assets to get into the conversation. Lastly, the Phoenix Suns could go all in with Ayton and seven years worth of picks and swaps to pair up Towns with his good buddy Denver Booker, and then try to win every game 154-153.
So yeah…the Knicks would have competition. That’s not in question. What is in question is whether them winning the theoretical Towns sweepstakes would even matter, or more directly, whether the folks guiding them in said sweepstakes have any business even playing the game.
At this point, there are three types of Knick fans:
Those who roll their eyes at such trade stories, because they get printed this time of year like clockwork,
Those who get excited, and will read everything I just wrote with the joy and wonder of a kid waking up yesterday (I was right there with you for most of my life, friends) and finally…
Those who think a deal that would clear New York’s cupboard of every tradable asset, regardless of the return, would serve as the final indignity in the downward spiral that began the day they traded KP, and under this front office, would just be a reheating of Isiah Thomas’ leftovers, only with better garnish.
While I don’t think I place myself in this final group (just because Towns is so damn good, and along with RJ Barrett, would potentially serve as the drawing card the franchise was missing this summer), I wouldn’t blame anyone who did.
That’s how bad things have gotten, when the “dawgs” this front office went out and signed and the culture they’ve supposedly been growing for two years all resulted in a roster full of guys who admittedly lacked the requisite focus to beat Bradley Beal and the Washington Generals on Monday night.
The funniest line following that game came during their practice the next day, when Elfrid Payton responded to a question about whether Monday was a wake up call:
“Yeah, as if we needed one.”
He’s right to make jest. The wake up call for this organization should have come at 6 pm on June 30. And then again following the shellacking in their home opener. And again after the home loss to Cleveland. And again after the Bucks game…the first and the second.
Now we have the latest one. James Dolan would be better served simply buying an alarm clock.
If you’re a person who feels that, at this point, every asset the team has should be locked away and kept in storage, with the key only being given to the next President and GM, I wouldn’t blame you (nor would I place blame if you suggested that some of those assets be used to bring the next President aboard. After all, you’re reading the words of a person who wrote two days ago in the KFS Slack channel that he’d give up more for Masai than KAT, but if I dropped that take in here, whatever device you’re reading this on right now would spontaniously combust, and I’d have some ‘splainin to do…)
So with all due respect to Fake Trade Season, let’s all temper our enthusiasm, just a bit. At least until this team can put together a month or so of basketball that doesn’t have us hanging our collective heads in shame. If they do that, then we can talk.
Game Preview / Player Spotlight
The Knicks are back in action tonight in Brooklyn, facing a Nets team that may or may not be better off without Mr. Flat Earth manning the controls.
Kyrie Irving is still sidelined, having now missed about a month and a half. The Nets haven’t skipped a beat though, thanks to everyone’s least favorite Knicks needler and likely 2020 All Star, Spencer Dinwiddie (it’s happening, folks…prepare yourselves).
I’m a man of much intestinal fortitude, but even I don’t have what it takes to sing the praises of Dinwiddie ($48.43, up 12 percent) after all the jabs he’s taken at the Knicks. He can go eat a…pine cone.
Instead, someone that might be on New York’s radar this summer is available on PredictionStrike for much cheaper, at just $1.60 a share, up 9 percent after his last game. Joe Harris started the year at $1.40 and hit a low of $0.92, but he’s been much better of late, hitting the 20-point mark six times in his last 18 games (coincidentally, he failed to reach that mark even one time in the 11 games Kyrie Irving was healthy for).
The Knicks have had some, umm…“issues” guarding the 3-point line, so count on Harris upping his share price even more tonight. Might as well benefit from it while you can.
(Remember, if you haven’t already done so, click here and enter code KFS when signing up with PredictionStrike for $10 added to your initial investment of $10 or more.)
News & Notes
compiled by Michael Schatz (@mschatz99)
In case you missed it, here was a nice piece from Monday on former Knick Mike Sweetney by the Post’s Howie Kussoy.
Also fun: Ian Begley names his Knicks All-Decade Team.
On This Date: Reflecting on the history between the Knicks and Christmas Day
by Vivek Dadhania (@vdadhania)
For me, Christmas Day has meant a few habitual traditions: watch the Christmas Day Parade, spend time with family, eat plenty of food, and watch basketball. Yes, basketball.
In recent years, the NBA schedule makers were kind enough to place the Knicks back onto the Christmas schedule. The Knicks have played on Christmas in eight of the past nine seasons.
The Knicks have played the most Christmas Day games so far, with 52 games in the 72-year history of the NBA leading into this season. Most of the matchups were held in Madison Square Garden. The Lakers unsurprisingly are right behind the Knicks with 43 Christmas Day matchups.
That’s it…see everyone with a Knicks / Nets Postgame tomorrow!