Before coming to terms on a blockbuster swap with Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns mere days before the start of training camp, New York made multiple trade runs at Utah’s Walker Kessler to fill its well-chronicled void at center, league sources say. It is believed that Utah wanted at least two future first-round picks for Kessler … after the Knicks had exhausted much of their remaining cache of draft picks in the trade with Brooklyn for Bridges.
Source: marcstein.substack.com
Source: marcstein.substack.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
5 PTS 3 REB and a STL on 2/5 FG, 1/3 3PT for Karl-Anthony Towns in his first preseason quarter with NYK. – 5:39 PM
5 PTS 3 REB and a STL on 2/5 FG, 1/3 3PT for Karl-Anthony Towns in his first preseason quarter with NYK. – 5:39 PM
David Locke @DLocke09
Utah Jazz starters tonight are Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks and Walker Kessler – 9:06 PM
Utah Jazz starters tonight are Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks and Walker Kessler – 9:06 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton starting for the Utah Jazz tonight – 9:01 PM
Lauri Markkanen, Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton starting for the Utah Jazz tonight – 9:01 PM
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
Jazz starters tonight: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Taylor Hendricks, Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler. – 7:28 PM
Jazz starters tonight: Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Taylor Hendricks, Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler. – 7:28 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sixers standout swingman Paul George said the New York Knicks made a splash with the Karl-Anthony Towns trade: pic.x.com/MlUqPfk78s – 12:37 PM
Sixers standout swingman Paul George said the New York Knicks made a splash with the Karl-Anthony Towns trade: pic.x.com/MlUqPfk78s – 12:37 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“There’s no better center available than Karl-Anthony Towns.”
@Scalabrine breaks down why this trade for the Knicks put them right at the top of the list as one of the best teams in the NBA heading into the season
#NewYorkForever pic.x.com/RMRTGsCiJp – 11:04 AM
“There’s no better center available than Karl-Anthony Towns.”
@Scalabrine breaks down why this trade for the Knicks put them right at the top of the list as one of the best teams in the NBA heading into the season
#NewYorkForever pic.x.com/RMRTGsCiJp – 11:04 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Hello, Friday!
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is LIVE!
🏀 Caitlin Clark Rookie of the Year
🗽 Karl-Anthony Towns’ Comments
🎙️ @ChrisForsberg_ at 9:00am ET
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/TygTveSfIp – 7:02 AM
Hello, Friday!
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is LIVE!
🏀 Caitlin Clark Rookie of the Year
🗽 Karl-Anthony Towns’ Comments
🎙️ @ChrisForsberg_ at 9:00am ET
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/TygTveSfIp – 7:02 AM
More on this storyline
Given the context of the Wolves acquiring you in a big trade and KAT being the team’s franchise player, what did you appreciate about playing with him? Rudy Gobert: “He always believed in me. Since I got here, he was always a great friend. Any time I needed him, he had always been there. We believed in each other. We had a very honest relationship. I challenged him in some areas that I think would help him be an even more winning player. He challenged me, too. We made each other better. It happened because we believed in one another. We believed we could be together. I’m very grateful that he welcomed me with open arms. We went through a lot of adversity. But we ended up being in the Western Conference Finals. -via SportsKeeda / October 6, 2024
Thibodeau cautioned that he first needs to consult with the medical staff and Sunday’s rotation isn’t “finalized.” But Towns has been a full participant in training camp despite his late arrival and is eager to suit up in Charlotte, according to Thibodeau. “I think he wants to play and he’s been going full tilt so far so we’ll see where he is after [Saturday’s practice],” the coach said. -via New York Post / October 6, 2024
Karl-Anthony Towns’ debut will likely be Sunday. Tom Thibodeau said he plans on playing the starters together in the preseason opener at Charlotte, including newcomer Towns — providing Knicks fans with their first glimpse at one of the league’s top point guard-center tandems with Jalen Brunson. “I’m ready to see where we are,” Brunson said. “Every day is a test, and we get to see where we are and move on from there.” -via New York Post / October 6, 2024
As far as backup centers and the trade deadline, I know the Knicks talked to Atlanta this offseason about a deal involving Capela. The Rockets want to win so if they are in a good place heading into the trade deadline, I’d be surprised if they moved Adams. I’d keep an eye on Nik Richards in Charlotte as a possible trade candidate. Same goes for Walker Kessler in Utah. As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted, Robert Williams is a name to monitor. Maybe Jonas Valunciunas? -via SportsNet New York / September 13, 2024