The New York Knicks have made it abundantly clear that they’re hoping to make their first Finals run since 1999 with the blockbuster moves they’ve made this summer, headlined by their acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns. Reigning champions Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked about the trade at Celtics media day, making it clear that the team will focus on themselves.
“Everybody is trying to upgrade their roster before the end of the season … We just gotta focus on us.”
The Celtics will start the season with big man issues, as Kristaps Porzingis is expected to be out with injury until December at the least. Whether 38-year-old Al Horford can deliver at a high level still is unknown, with the Celtics then relying on the likes of Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet. That’s the one glaring hole on their roster, and it’s something the Knicks have just reinforced with their move for KAT.
Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists last season, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals. The Knicks have sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Wolves for KAT and will hope that this decision is paid off with a genuine run to the Championship.
The Knicks have matched the Celtics proficiency at the wing spot with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum by retaining OG Anunoby and acquiring Mikal Bridges, two of the best wing defenders in the NBA. Josh Hart plays with pure hustle while Jalen Brunson completed his star leap last season and made the All-NBA team.
The Celtics don’t have a very deep bench but have one of the most well-rounded starting fives in modern NBA history with two All-Defense caliber guards like Jrue Holiday and Derrick White alongside an MVP candidate like Tatum and an All-NBA threat like Jaylen Brown. Porzingis can be a top-three center in the NBA but his injury concerns prevent him from reaching his ceiling.
The Knicks Had To Trade Donte DiVincenzo Away
The Knicks have been trying to make a Towns trade happen for most of the summer, but the inclusion of Donte DiVincenzo ended up being a sticking point for both franchises. The Knicks ultimately relented due to the lack of room to start Donte or give him the minutes he’d want, according to Ian Begley.
“But with the moves made this offseason, DiVincenzo was probably going to be coming off the bench this season. Bridges would likely have taken his spot in the starting lineup. I can say confidently that DiVincenzo didn’t exactly love the idea of playing fewer minutes/a reduced role this season. He was coming off of a career year and helped the team win a ton of games when it was shorthanded.”
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like DiVincenzo can start on the Wolves either, with Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, and Jaden McDaniels likely retaining their starting spots in positions that Donte could play. He would be a lethal sixth man who averaged 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season on 40.1% from three.
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