Who said the new CBA was gonna make the NBA trade deadline boring? I did, and I was wrong.
By now, you’ve probably caught up with most of the transactions. Our KFTV crew reacted to the most notable ones in today’s Knicks Peripheral:
On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with the Knicks' deadline?
Geoff: 7. The NBA, for the most part, engaged in cost-cutting to avoid penalties by going over the first or second aprons. The Knicks were probably in the mix for a backup center/wing but couldn’t find a deal that appealed to them. Still have a chance to sign someone from the buyout market.
Jalen: 8. I hoped Jericho Sims would be flipped for a forward who could replace Landry Shamet. I wasn’t too far off, but I hope they keep their ears open during buyout season.
Omar: 7. Got something back for Jericho Sims, and the moves were already made. Nothing to complain about or celebrate, in my opinion.
Remi: I wasn’t expecting much, so I’m fairly indifferent. That puts me at a 5. I’m keeping an eye on the waiver wire though.
Post-deadline, how many teams in the league can you say are better than the Knicks right now (all at full strength)?
Geoff: Cavs, Celtics, OKC that’s it.
Jalen: The Celtics and Thunder are the only definitive ones. Bring on Cleveland.
Omar: Three with a big asterisk on one of them. Boston, Oklahoma City, and Cleveland*(they have to show it in the playoffs but have been very impressive this season).
Remi: The Thunder, Celtics, and Cavs are the three teams I’d put ahead of New York.
The Cavs landed De'Andre Hunter. Who wins in a seven-game series between the Knicks and Cavs? How many games?
Geoff: The Knicks’ biggest advantage is their grit and ability to do the small things needed to swing momentum and win games. They’re also playoff-tested. I think the Cavs have a more talented roster but I’m not picking them until they prove they can win in a big spot. Knicks in 7.
Jalen: Knicks in 6. They won’t scare me until they beat us with Mitch.
Omar: That being said, I still think that the Knicks beat the Cavs in seven, with a big series from KAT.
Remi: If the Knicks are healthy I think Mitchell Robinson becomes an X-factor and they win in six. But I admit, Hunter makes the Cavs a scary team.
The Bucks traded Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma: thoughts on the trade? Do the Bucks scare you more, less, or as much as before?
Geoff: It was a good move but not enough to move the needle for me. I think they’re slightly better than they were before.
Jalen: A bit less. I think Kuzma will be a better-than-expected Swiss Army Knife, but I think Khris transitioned into a solid connector piece they’ll miss.
Omar: Less scared than before. Kuzma hasn't played a game with stakes in years. He is younger and healthier than Middleton but has been underwhelming in Washington.
Remi: I have a hard time picturing Kuzma filling the void that a healthy Khris Middleton left behind. The Bucks’ success still comes down to Giannis and Dame, so I view their threat level the same as before.
Philly got Quentin Grimes. Are you surprised he's bounced around the league so much after showing promise in his first two seasons?
Geoff: Not really that surprised because he’s still on a rookie deal. I don’t think the trades say anything negative about his talent, but CBA requires that you make proactive moves to avoid financial hardship. He’s a casualty of that.
Jalen: Super surprised. He was a playoff starter in his second season. I thought he’d be on the OG/Mikal route to 3&D stardom. Right now, the ceiling is probably KCP.
Omar: A bit yes. He has a lot of the tools you look for in a modern role player. Can shoot and defend at a decent level, which is usually what teams are looking for. Bad management situations in Detroit and Dallas can be partly to explain though.
Remi: It’s surprising, but trading Grimes is the least surprising thing the Mavs did this deadline. So, I’m chalking this up to Dallas changing directions rather than an indictment of Grimes or his potential.
The Raptors have been playing the Knicks tough lately, and they just acquired Brandon Ingram. Do you think they'll be any threat to the Knicks over the next few years with their current core?
Geoff: No. I like Brandon Ingram, but I don’t really see any leadership on that team. They need to make a decision on Scottie Barnes because I personally don’t see him being the face of a winning franchise, at the moment.
Jalen: I think they’re a threat for Cardiac Knicks regular season games, but not in the playoffs. Ingram is an awkward fit with RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. If they extend him, that’s a lot of money to allocate to a true “Mid 3” plus Immanuel Quickley.
Omar: No. The Raptors have been in a weird pattern in acquiring players. And Ingram doesn't seem to fit the type of offense they are trying to build. They feel like a team with a six-seed ceiling as currently constructed.
Remi: I don’t think it was the right time for the Raptors to make a win-now trade, but I can’t blame them at the cost. I still think they’re a move or two away from their final form, so I don’t expect this core to be the one we worry about.
The Heat finally traded away Jimmy Butler and received Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson in return. Does this mark the end of the current chapter of the Knicks/Heat rivalry?
Geoff: For this current iteration, yes. But the Heat will re-tool, I don’t see them being down for long.
Jalen: It won’t end officially until Pat Riley is gone. But I also think the Herro/Bam/Ware core will carry Miami’s pesky underdog torch well.
Omar: Yes and no. The Heat still have Bam, who is a thorn in the side of many Knicks fans. And as long as Pat Riley is in South Beach I think some essence of the rivalry will always live on.
Remi: As long as Pat Riley is around, I will relish every opportunity for New York to beat the Heat. The rivalry should be one-sided for a while, and I’m looking forward to that.
How many shots of vodka do you think Nico Harrison had before pulling the trigger on the Luka deal?
Geoff: Forget vodka. This guy on ayahuasca.
Jalen: 77.
Omar: 10.
Remi: Whatever he was sipping, it had to be stronger than vodka.
If the Spurs win a championship in the next eight years, is De'Aaron Fox their starting point guard?
Geoff: No. I like Fox but I just don’t see him opening the floor up and making his teammates significantly better. That team will put up points but I think it will take another love to put them over the top.
Jalen: Man, I don’t know. I don’t like De’Aaron’s decision-making as a point guard. If anything, he’d be their #1 or #2 scoring option, and someone like Stephon Castle might serve as the true floor general.
Omar: Yes, he seems like a perfect fit with Wemby so far.
Remi: That Fox/Wemby pick-and-roll combo should be a handful for years to come. If they win a chip, I think he makes a lot of sense as a key part.
Was there another deal I didn't mention you thought was interesting, important, or surprising?
Geoff: I have no idea what the Grizzlies did with Marcus Smart considering what they gave up to get him.
Jalen: It wasn’t a deal, but Kevin Durant was almost traded…again? Since Matt Ishbia took over, it’s felt a bit like fantasy basketball over there in Phoenix.
Omar: Mark Williams to the Lakers. A good idea to get a center that will work well with Luka. But his health is a huge red flag. His health will be a significant indicator of the Lakers’ immediate success with this Luka acquisition.
Remi: The Lakers followed up the Luka addition with a move for Mark Williams. He’s struggled to stay healthy, but he’s been great when he can go. That’s a high-risk, high-reward play.
