A New Dawn?

Controversial blockbuster trade may signal a new beginning for the Knicks

Fond farewell; a look back at IQ and RJ

Let me start by saying RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley carried themselves with the utmost professionalism. Both worked extraordinarily hard on their games, they were often the first in the gym and last out.

I recall being one of the first in line to get an RJ jersey after the draft; while the supposed buzz was the Nets getting KD and Kyrie, I was there getting on the Metro North in my RJ shirt, accepting high 5’s on the train. Let there be no mistake, this will always be a Knicks town!

RJ and IQ did a lot to change the energy around the Knicks and I respect the way both carried themselves on and off the court, as well as the hope and wins they brought to a team that was in the doldrums.

After struggling in his rookie year, Tom Thibodeau’s arrival helped RJ’s game improve markedly. Up from 14 ppg on a lowly 40% shooting and 32% from 3, his second year jumped up to 17 ppg on 44% shooting and 40% from 3. There was optimism he’d reach the next plateau in year three. Although he climbed his average to 20 points in year 3, it was with an inefficient 40% from the field and dipped down from there.

The following offseason the Knicks held on to RJ in the Donovan Mitchell trade talks and provided him a hefty extension instead. I disagreed with this choice, but I understood the Knicks’ desire to trust their young core. The following season trended down for RJ; inefficient from the field, sloppy handles, his defense dropped off massively after being moved to Small Forward. Whether it was him reaching his ceiling, the pressures of living up to the deal, or him not fitting in the lineup, it just didn’t work out. Perhaps all three, no doubt fans will continue to debate.

Regardless, there was no doubt he didn’t fit into the lineup of fellow ball-dominant scorers who all liked driving into the paint. The spacing was off, and it seemed mechanical, as if each guy needed to take turns dominating rather than moving the ball organically.

RJ got lost in the shuffle. He’d often seem to be standing around hoping to knock down corner 3’s and his shooting percentages were plummeting the last month or so as a result. Without the handles and ability to create off the dribble, he appeared to be a negative asset.

Realistically, the Knicks likely did themselves a favor moving off a contract that many around the league saw as a net-negative, and in acquiring OG, adding a proper 3&D wing, whilst RJ goes to his hometown team in Toronto, Canada. It’s a potential win for both parties. and RJ should benefit from being with his favorite team. With his departure, we should all appreciate the hard-work and the signature moments he gave, like the Celtics buzzer-beating 3, and nice playoff games.

Losing IQ really stings however. He was the centerpiece of the deal. Quickley was a revelation as a Knick. CBS Sports will never live down their grading the draft pick a D+. Quickley was a perennial 6-man of the year candidate. Able to score in all three levels, was explosive off the dribble, a microwave scorer who could defend the best guards.

Thibodeau didn’t want him starting ahead of names such as Alec Burks, Evan Fournier and Elfrid Payton. Instead, preferring him to be the combo guard microwave scorer. There was an upside here for him to be a starting guard in this league, and the Knicks, in my opinion, missed a beat not having him play beside Brunson in the starting lineup. Looking at his +/-, and every metric he was the Knicks third best player. He will be truly missed. Unfortunately, the writing was on the wall when the Knicks chose to extend Josh Hart, and they failed to agree on a deal. The Knicks were facing the real possibility of losing him as a Restricted Free Agent. Thus, a trade seemed inevitable, though certainly regrettable.

An exciting debut for the new Knick

Not to read too much into the first game, but OG Anunoby unquestionably looked phenomenal in his first game. Shutting down Anthony Edwards is no mean feat. Every time he was tasked with defending him, Edwards had very little success. One particular highlight was a late steal in the paint on Edwards leading to a breakaway bucket for Randle to help ice the win.

On top of that, his off-ball movement was excellent and his cuts to the rim for dunks were a particular highlight. He also had a key moment knocking down a right corner 3 late in the 4th quarter to help secure the win over the best team in the West, the Minnesota Twolves. This is his game in a nutshell, and why he was a valuable trade addition. Not only can he guard all 5 spots on the floor, but he’s just as effective off the ball as he is with it, and his corner 3 percentages are consistently just below 50%, insanely efficient.

One of the greatest aspects of this trade is how seems to have solved the spacing problem. As highlighted earlier, it looked like RJ was lost in the shuffle trying to get his beside Brunson and Julius and often impeded Randle’s favorite spots on the floor.

However, acquiring OG grants Randle the entire paint to himself to do his best work. Randle is supremely inefficient when double-teamed in the paint, or with the ball in his hands at the edge of the perimeter. However, he’s one of the best bigs in the entire NBA in the paint due to his peerless strength and touch around the rim. OG adds the spacing that will help Randle’s game. And boy did it! Randle had an unbelievable 39-point game, simply laying siege to Gobert and everybody the Wolves put in his path. The win of the season so far for the Knicks.

Not just a throw in, but Precious Achiuwa is also a nice addition. The former Heat adds size and versatility to play the backup 4 or 5. A desperate need for the Knicks as they were staring at a disastrous season with Mitchell Robinson out and the Knicks going from one of the best to all-time bad defensively until the trade. It was unsustainable to continue to play without any backup to Hartenstein and Randle.

The biggest improvement since the trade was not just on the defensive end. The ball movement increased massively, and their speed in transition setting up easy baskets was such a relief. Frankly, pre-trade, apart from enjoying DiVincenzo’s play, Brunson’s all-star caliber year, and Randle’s recent dominance, it’s been a hard slog watching them. Aesthetically on the offensive end, they played slow isolation ball, every shot seemed a task, and they had no interest in defense after Mitch went down. They actually looked nigh unwatchable against the Magic, which might have necessitated the trade going down so hastily.

However, post-trade? The Minnesota game provided a window into future success and identity.

Thibs is only going to be successful as a coach with a defensive unit, that’s just reality. He isn’t terribly innovative offensively, to be candid. However, there are few more respected coaches in the game than he as far as ability to coach defense. Now, with guys able to defend multiple positions like OG, Hart and Donte along with the All-Star caliber play of Jalen Brunson and Randle’s new found space in the paint, the Knicks look like they have an identity at last. Defense and hard work should be the M.O. for this Knicks team the rest of the season. They played faster, and moved the ball freely, got guys open with a career-high 14 assists from Jalen Brunson.

Realistically, the Knicks are another All-Star scorer and Mitch’s return away from being considered an elite team. However, if they can build on this last game, it’s a welcome new dawn for the Knicks, even though fans may have heavy hearts saying good-bye to Barrett and Quickley. Whilst it’s too early to judge the winners and losers of the trade, there are signs of a much-needed identity for the Knicks.

Happy New Year to all readers, and everyone on LTK Spaces

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Donald Stewart