How Much Closer Did Knicks Get To Celtics After Blockbuster Trade?

The Boston Celtics welcomed a target on their back heading into their title defense season, and it’s forced other contenders to make massive moves.

No other team made bigger moves this offseason than the Knicks. In June, New York sent a package that included a haul of draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mikal Bridges. Then on Friday, it agreed to a blockbuster trade that sent Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and other assets to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns, according to The Athletic.

Instead of being a Villanova throwback, the Knicks chose to upgrade their offense to form a formidable pick-and-roll combination with Jalen Brunson and Towns. New York’s NBA Finals odds shortened to +750 at FanDuel Sportsbook putting it behind the Celtics (+320) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (+700).

The opening night matchup between the Celtics and Knicks will be exciting to watch, but looking at the reported blockbuster trade from a big-picture perspective, did New York get that much better?

As mentioned, the Knicks’ offensive ceiling increased, and they have a really good starting five. The depth is a big question with gambles on Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa. Towns allow Tom Thibodeau to stagger his lineups with Brunson, but he had mixed results against the Celtics last season.

In the first matchup, Towns scored seven points in 27 minutes while also recording 10 rebounds and even turnovers. The All-Star big man rebounded in the second matchup scoring 25 points along with 13 rebounds and six assists. Both matchups went into overtime, and the second matchup didn’t feature Rudy Gobert or Kristaps Porzingis.

Towns might not be a mismatch nightmare against the Celtics since Jrue Holiday showed he’s elite at guarding opposing bigs, which helps Joe Mazzulla’s defensive structure. His defense also will be big for Towns’ success in New York. Thibodeau worked with the All-Star before, and the two seemed to mend their previous rocky relationship. If the Knicks head coach can get the best out of Towns defensively, that could make things difficult for Boston.

It’s a cop-out since you could say this about any team, including the Celtics, but the biggest obstacle for New York will be health. OG Anunoby was fantastic when he was acquired midseason, but he couldn’t stay healthy down the stretch and wasn’t a factor in the postseason. Like Porzingis, Mitchell Robinson will miss the start of the season due to ankle surgery. The Knicks’ true defensive ceiling will be determined by the health of those two players.

The Knicks made a bold move for a player who the front office reportedly coveted since 2020, and it showed how the teams below the Celtics will do whatever it takes to try to dethrone them.