In Need of An Assist

By Eddie Castro
We are officially at the halfway point in the NBA season and the New York Knicks are currently sitting in second place in the Atlantic Division and would be the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference if the playoffs ended today. Aside from superstar Jalen Brunson, If we were to pinpoint who has been a huge contributor to the Knicks’ success, it would definitely be the consistent play of Center Karl Anthony-Towns.

As I alluded to in a recent article a few weeks back, Towns is experiencing a career year statistically in points, rebounds, and shooting efficiency. His ability to space the floor has taken the load off Brunson and has opened up the floor for other players to get involved in the offense, such as Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.

The All-Star break is a month away, and the Knicks are showing signs of fatigue. As we go to press, the team has lost 5 of their last 7 games, and the reason may very well be the lack of depth.

Their starting five are Brunson, Towns, Bridges, Anunoby, and Hart, who are, without a doubt, some of the very best in basketball. However, due to the lack of production from their bench, Head Coach Tom Thibodeau has played his starters heavy minutes.

Thibodeau is well-known for relying on his starters quite heavily, but as the playoffs approach come April, it will be a big concern for the team down the stretch. New York’s bench is filled with many inexperienced players, hence why Coach Thibs is reluctant to insert them into key moments in games. This is where Knicks General Manager Leon Rose comes into play as the trading deadline looms on February 6.

Let’s be honest Knick fans, the team can use anybody to help shed some minutes off their starting lineup. With center Mitchell Robinson still recovering from off-season ankle surgery, trading for a center is ideal for the Knicks to give the team a rim protector on the defensive end. Some notable names to keep an eye on are Jonas Valuncianas, Robert Williams, and Walker Kessler.

All three players would easily address the teams’ depth issues. The Knicks also can use a scoring punch to come off the bench. One name that can be a possibility is Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Cam Johnson.

In his 6th season in the NBA, Johnson is currently having a breakout year for the Nets. However, a trade to get him will be difficult because it is almost a foregone conclusion that the Nets will ask the Knicks for some significant draft assets in return. Johnson will be a perfect fit with his tremendous shooting ability and is known as a solid defender.

The team could also go the cheaper route (not as attractive names) to fill out their bench to avoid unloading draft picks. Players such as Davion Mitchell and Alec Burks, who are known as disruptive defenders, could be options for coach Thibs to easily put his trust in them.

Whatever direction Leon Rose decides to address at the trade deadline, getting consistent contributions from the bench will be key in how far the Knicks will go in the East. Thibodeau would rather not continue to overuse his top players.

Health played a huge part in the team being bounced out of the playoffs last year. If Rose can swing a few trades and get at least two solid players to come off the bench that can instantly make an impact in keeping players like Brunson, Towns, and Hart fresh for the playoffs, it will only give Thibodeau more options to plug in players to put together more wins.

The team will fight for seeding in hopes of catching teams like the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers for the No.1 overall seed in the East. A feat the team has not accomplished since the glory days of Patrick Ewing, John Starks and Charles Oakley back in 1993. New York has currently hit a speed bump in their season. A few trades could get them back on track to continue chasing championship supremacy.

Sports Notes: (Basketball) The Knicks will continue their home stand as they Welcome former Knick Julius Randle and the Minnesota Timberwolves to Madison Square Garden on Friday night. The Brooklyn Nets have won just three games since December 19.

As we go to press, the team is currently on a five-game losing streak. Brooklyn will look to turn it around as they head to Los Angeles to square off against LeBron James and the Lakers.