The New York Knicks haven’t landed a big-name star in a long time, but of course, the majority of those who are reading this don’t need to be reminded of that.
When New York agreed to a four-year, $104 million deal with Jalen Brunson in free agency, the Knicks were clowned for giving a “non-star that much money.” And with Donovan Mitchell becoming available in trade talks, the discourse has changed.
Keep in mind that in Mitchell’s five years in the NBA, he’s been named an All-Star three times. He’ll play the 2022-23 season at the age of 26. The package that the Utah Jazz are going to get in return for him is still yet to be determined (if he is traded during the offseason), but Mitchell possibly going to New York has turned into a reason for him to be labeled as “not good enough.”
Then there’s those who think that even with Mitchell, the Knicks will still fall short.
ESPN’s Tim Legler was on Get Up! on Wednesday morning and he said that if New York successfully trades for Mitchell, the team will only be good enough to make it to the play-in tournament.
“If we’re being honest about it, I think they’re still probably a play-in team”
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 14, 2022
— Tim Legler on the Knicks if they trade for Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/xHsOyHJdIz
Tim Legler believes that even with Donovan Mitchell, the Knicks would be a play-in team
Legler referred to Mitchell as an “elite-level scorer”, so he didn’t discredit the guard’s game like so many others have, but he thinks that Mitchell’s arrival in New York wouldn’t “move the needle to make the Knicks a contender.” The key is that if Mitchell were to go to the Knicks, his presence would help to attract other stars, which is a point that Legler mentioned.
All of that makes sense. The Eastern Conference is stacked. If New York can land Mitchell, the team’s success next season will partly depend on what the Knicks would have to give up in exchange. But personally, I think that New York will be able to make it back to the postseason in 2023.
The real issue isn’t with what Legler said because even if you disagree, his take wasn’t absurd. The issue is with ESPN’s continued Knicks disrespect. And if we’re being honest, it isn’t much of an issue at this point, but instead a guarantee.
Take note of the “highlights” that were playing while Legler spoke. It was a reel of various New York players bricking shots. The Knicks were disappointing in 2021-22, but you can’t pretend as if they don’t have talent on their roster. New York isn’t a bad team.
The Knicks’ first three Summer League games were broadcast on ESPN. In Monday’s game against Portland, Jorge Sedano went as far to say that fans need to embrace the team’s youth, which according to him, isn’t something that fans may want to hear. Where has he been?
Jorge Sedano is on the call for a Knicks game tonight.
— Papa G (@papa_gardner11) July 12, 2022
National TV announcers are supposed to be non-biased, but he did this on Lottery Night 3 years ago.
What are you doing, ESPN. pic.twitter.com/WYD3t1Mn7j
Oh yeah, that’s right. For someone so obsessed with the Knicks fanbase, you’d think that Sedano would know a little bit more than he does.
Luckily, Thursday’s game that was broadcast on NBA TV was much better with Stephanie Ready and Sam Mitchell on the call.
ESPN has once again come up short. It’ll be interesting to discover the various Knicks narratives that they pull out of thin air next year.
This Knicks-Jazz trade could be enough to bring Donovan Mitchell home
The New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz have engaged in trade talks surrounding three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell, and here's a trade that could be made.