Just over the halfway point of the NBA season, the New York Knicks are hitting their stride. The KFTV writers gave their take on how this season has gone so far and where it could be headed.
After a 17-15 start, the New York Knicks traded RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for OG Anunoby, forward Precious Achiuwa, and guard Malachi Flynn on Dec. 30. Since then, they’ve gone 15-2 and have been one of the best teams in basketball. The Knicks are looking to build on their first playoff series win in over a decade and just might have the group to make that happen.
The KFTV writers are here to assess what this team is capable of moving forward.
How would you assess the Knicks trade for OG Anunoby at this point?
Remi Se: It’s a big success. The front office managed to thread a difficult needle by landing a major upgrade, keeping enough assets for another upgrade, and putting the outgoing players in better situations to thrive. That’s an undeniable win, but there’s still work to be done to complete this roster.
Geoffrey Campbell: The Knicks are 15-2 since trading for OG. His net rating since he’s been with the Knicks is obscene. There are obvious issues with the bench that need to be figured out, but it’s hard to see any downside of the OG trade this far. He’s fit seamlessly into the starting lineup, and it feels like we’re starting to see the best versions of Brunson and Randle as a result.
Jalen Martin: I grade it an A. The starting unit looks well-balanced with him in there, and they’ve had some really impressive wins against top teams like the Wolves and Nuggets. It’s not an A+ only because Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn have questionable futures with the team. But regardless of how well RJ and IQ play in Toronto, this trade was a success for the 2024 Knicks.
Chip Murphy: OG Anunoby is already a perfect fit for the Knicks on both ends of the court. He’s wreaking havoc on defense, and his shooting is making things easier for Brunson and Randle. It’s still early, but right now, the deal looks like a home run.
Mike Charles: It is hard to call it anything other than a resounding success. They’re the best defensive team in basketball, have increased their offensive spacing, and have enabled more shots for the Knicks’ two best players. OG has also continued to flash growth as a shot-creator, which is also encouraging.
Will the Knicks make another move before the deadline? If so, what do you want that move to be?
Remi: Yes, my dream trade would land Mikal Bridges. But the realistic targets are Dejounte Murray and Malcolm Brogdon.
Geoff: I’m not in favor of making a big move for Dejounte Murray. I think moving and shaking up multiple parts of your team at different points during the season can mess with chemistry. I would rather focus on a move for a Jordan Clarkson or Malcolm Brogdon-type player that wouldn’t require a lot in return.
Jalen: Yes, I think they’ll make another move, but I have no idea who they’ll end up with. There’s a new rumor every day. My gut says Malcolm Brogdon still, even with new names emerging. I think Dejounte Murray will end up elsewhere, for Klutch reasons most likely.
Chip: I’d love to see the Knicks trade for Collin Sexton or Jordan Clarkson from Utah. A blockbuster in-season trade for Dejounte Murray goes against everything this front office has been about, so I don’t see that happening. It’s more likely they trade for someone like Malcolm Brogdon.
Mike: Keep it simple with Malcolm Brogdon or Alec Burks. In my opinion, the Knicks don’t need to bring in a starter that could disrupt the chemistry this team is playing with. They simply need a player to buoy the second unit in the non-Brunson minutes.
As currently constructed, where will the team finish in the East? How far will they go in the playoffs?
Remi: They’re a top-4 team, but their core players would have to log a lot of minutes to hold that position through 82 games. So, I think they’d limp into the postseason and always be one injury away from trouble. Getting to the ECF is possible, but it would take a lot of luck as currently constructed.
Geoff: Top 4 seed, most likely 4th seed, second-round exit unless they play Philly – I don’t mind that matchup.
Jalen: I think their absolute ceiling is the 3rd seed over Philly. But realistically, I would bet they end up as the 4th or 5th seed, which means they would likely face Boston in Round 2. They could compete with the Celtics, but the talent gap is too great. Boston in 7.
Chip: This team can finish in the top three in the East and even make the Conference Finals if a few things break their way.
Mike: I believe they can finish as the third seed in the East and make the conference finals. Boston had been a bad matchup for them prior to the trade, so I am curious how they match up with the OG addition. I believe they have the capability of beating both Milwaukee and Philly as is.
How would you assess the job Tom Thibodeau has done this season?
Remi: The Knicks keep winning, and improve every time the FO brings in another “Thibodeau” guy. But I can’t give him a glowing review until he figures out how to get more from his bench.
Geoff: Overall it’s been positive. I think he’s earned an extension – but I wouldn’t make it for more than 2 seasons – maybe 1 year and a team option for the second year. I would really like to see Johnnie Bryant get a shot at some point, but Thibs has earned the right to see this group through to their conclusion, whatever that may be.
Jalen: B+ or A-. The on-court product has probably never been better. They survived a tough stretch to begin the season. They are rarely ever out of a game. But some of the rotational decisions (IQ vs. Hart, Donte’s past short leash) and his inability to manage player personalities (the Grimes saga) well will hinder his grade and stimulate some important larger-picture convos about his priorities and style of coaching. But he’s a very good coach, no doubt.
Chip: Tom Thibodeau is who he is. Josh Hart infatuation aside, it’s hard to say Thibs has done anything but a good job when the team is a top-four seed in the East.
Mike: I thought early in the season he struggled at points with minutes allocation and rotations because of the team’s depth. However, after the consolidation trade, I think he’s done a really good job besides some overuse concerns, which can be addressed by adding a bench scorer. He’s done well.
What is the biggest sign of optimism moving forward?
Remi: The Knicks are 15-2 and all we can talk about is what the next trade will be. That tells me that NY is good as currently constructed and still has every tool to get better.
Geoff: Your two best players, Randle and Brunson, are playing really well and are All-Stars. Losing RJ and IQ hasn’t seemed to have had a negative effect.
Jalen: Isaiah Hartenstein’s ability to hold down the fort at the center position in Mitch’s absence gives this team some much-needed stability. And he’s really dynamic on offense, too, and that makes the starting unit so good so often. Big payday coming soon for IHart.
Chip: After stepping in for Mitchell Robinson, Isaiah Hartenstein has played beyond anybody’s wildest expectations. The biggest concern of the season was how the team would respond after Mitch went down, but Hartenstein has proven to be a legitimate starting NBA center.
Mike: Brunson continues to get better, Randle’s process has drastically improved, and OG has revamped the defense while continuing to show his offensive growth. The core of this team is ready to make a run and they just need a bit of help.
Aside from obvious health issues, what is the biggest concern moving forward?
Remi: New York needed close to 80 minutes per starter to beat a pair of non-playoff teams. That’s an unsustainable workload.
Geoff: Bench scoring and depth. We do need to figure out how to solve that.
Jalen: The bench’s production (and subsequently overworking starters) is a major concern until they resolve that issue. Besides that, I think Thibs’ stubborn habits like playing Josh Hart at shooting guard and pulling players too early/late will reappear as glaring problems in the playoffs. It’s not just Randle—Thibs will have to prove he can outperform his matchup, too.
Chip: Scoring from the bench is the biggest concern moving forward. The team really misses what Quickley could do for the second unit.
Mike: The non-Brunson minutes have been simply brutal and simply cannot be used in the playoffs without adding a bench scorer to help balance the workload.
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below! Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. Subscribe to the newsletter for KFTV content and events, shop discounts, and more at bit.ly/kftvmail. And in case you missed it, check out Alex on New York Post x SNY with Brandon London to discuss the scorching hot Knicks!
