The reported New York Knicks-Minnesota Timberwolves blockbuster commerce involving four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Cities has not but been made official, and the present Knicks know that.
It’s why they dodged each single query about Cities probably touchdown within the “Massive Apple” throughout media day on Monday on the crew’s Westchester, New York, coaching facility.
“Who’s Karl?” star level guard Jalen Brunson stated when reporters peppered him with questions on Cities.
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New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau speaks throughout a media day press convention on the MSG coaching facility in Tarrytown, NY. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photos)
Head coach Tom Thibodeau additionally declined to remark when requested about Cities, although he did give one reporter a, “Good strive,” when requested about their time collectively when the coach was main the Timberwolves previous to becoming a member of the Knicks, per Yahoo Sports activities.
Different stars on the Knicks like Josh Hart bought a bit playful with their response to Cities questions.
“We bought KAT?” Hart stated as he circled to take a look at a Knicks public relations crew member. “Whoa, that’s loopy.”
KNICKS, TIMBERWOLVES CLOSE TO EXCHANGING ALL-STARS IN POTENTIAL BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: REPORTS
Hart would proceed trying over at Knicks PR to ensure that when he was discussing somebody “unofficial” becoming a member of the crew, he was doing so accurately. He stated that unofficial individual (Cities) has “excessive character” and “would match effectively” with the crew they’ve now.
It is probably not official but, however Cities is already in New York as he was noticed on the coaching facility getting out of a automobile, and he’s already sporting a Knicks hat on his head.
The monster deal is predicted to be the Knicks sending All-Star ahead Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, a key sharpshooter for the Knicks of their profitable 2023 season, to the T-Wolves in alternate for Cities.
And whereas some didn’t need to touch upon Cities, or performed dumb as a joke, the lack of two key members of the Knicks in Randle and DiVincenzo continues to be very contemporary as these gamers get again on the court docket collectively.
Karl-Anthony Cities celebrates a basket in the course of the second half in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks in Sport 4 of the Western Convention Finals at American Airways Middle on Could 28, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty Photos)
“Yeah, that information was…it was loopy,” Brunson stated. “However I’m actually grateful for them and their friendships and the whole lot, and what they dropped at this crew. I’m actually grateful I bought to get a relationship with Julius. The recollections we made collectively was actually enjoyable. Completely.
“And Donte, I imply, he was a groomsman in my wedding ceremony. So that ought to inform you the whole lot it’s essential to find out about our relationship. I really like him to loss of life.”
Regardless of these two losses, the Knicks are including among the finest two-way facilities within the recreation, whereas already bringing in Mikal Bridges, who Brunson and Hart know very effectively throughout their time at Villanova.
DiVincenzo was additionally in that “Nova Boys” pack, however there have been studies that he wasn’t going to be too proud of a bench position after making such an impression final yr to convey the Knicks inside one recreation of an Japanese Convention Finals look.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson speaks throughout a media day press convention on the MSG coaching facility in Tarrytown, NY. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photos)
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Both manner, the Knicks know they must say all the suitable issues proper now, however the writing is on the wall: Cities goes to be enjoying his dwelling video games at Madison Sq. Backyard this season, the place the expectation of competing for an NBA title stays.
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