Winning really does cure everything. Today, Knicks fans are celebrating a championship. But it wasn’t long ago that many of the moves that helped build this roster were being criticized, questioned, and in some cases outright mocked.
The Jalen Brunson signing was called an overpay. The OG Anunoby trade was viewed as risky. The Mikal Bridges trade was blasted for the massive pick package sent for him. And the Karl-Anthony Towns deal divided the fanbase.
Credit to Leon Rose and the Knicks front office for blocking out the noise. Because while these moves weren’t universally loved at the time, they all played a role in ending a 53-year championship drought.
The Brunson Signing Was Mocked
In the summer of 2022, the Knicks and Brunson agreed to a 4-year, $104 million deal. This will go down as the greatest free agent signing in Knicks history. Even one of the best free agent signings in NBA history itself. But boy was this move heavily criticized when it happened. Let’s revisit what some media had to say regarding this signing:
Fast forward just 4 years and that small, overpaid guard who could never be a number one option helped end a 53-year title drought while becoming the face of the franchise and the best player on the team. And added a Finals MVP to his trophy case while averaging 32.6 PPG during these Finals. Here’s also a list of players in NBA history who have scored 45+ points in a Finals close out game: Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bob Pettit, and now Jalen Brunson. The media was obviously harsh, but what Brunson has accomplished with this team has surpassed even the most optimistic of outlooks.
And on top of his unbelievable play on the court, let’s quickly revisit his unselfishness off the court. In the summer of 2024 Brunson signed a 4-year, $156.5 million deal. However, if he waited till 2025, he was eligible for a 5-year, $256 million extension. Brunson did this so the team could contend, and this unselfish decision is directly related to how the Knicks were able to build this championship roster around him. And I don’t care how much money you have, turning down an extra $100 million cannot be easy. I don’t see too many other NBA players doing something like this.
The OG Trade Was Risky
In December of 2023, the Knicks traded RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a 2nd round draft pick for OG Anunoby. The instant “fear” I guess you would call it was Anunoby’s injury history. His NBA debut was delayed as he was recovering from a torn ACL, but also dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career including ankle issues, a concussion, appendix surgery, and several other minor setbacks. So yea, the guy got hurt a decent amount and that was worrisome.
In addition, RJ Barrett was the 3rd overall pick in the 2019 draft by the Knicks and was the top rated recruit in the country coming out of high school. Since Barrett was still only 23 at the time, the fear was he may fulfill his potential and turn into an extremely good player. Quickley was also only 24 and was showing real improvement. Both have been solid for the Raptors, but have done nothing to make the Knicks regret this move. Especially when you factor in a title and what OG meant to this championship team. But there were certainly concerns with this move.
Now? It’s hard to imagine the Knicks winning a title without this guy on their team. Anunoby is, or maybe now “was” after a title, one of the most underrated players in the NBA. A guy who brings it on both ends of the floor, and fits perfectly next to Brunson, KAT, and Bridges. Leon Rose and the Knicks were willing to give up those 2 young players with potential because they believed OG was the type of wing every championship team needs. At the time it was scary, but they were exactly right. OG was massive in this title run, and maybe even the most consistent player for the team on both ends of the floor. Known for his elite defense, he still gave the Knicks timely buckets as well. Including the biggest made FG in Knicks basketball history.
The Bridges Trade Was Called An Overpay
And in fairness, it was an overpay. But as said earlier, winning cures everything. Five first round picks ultimately went to the Nets for Bridges. Since Bridges was playing for their rival at the time, the Knicks probably knew they would need to send a kings ransom to get the Nets to send a solid player like Bridges to them. It was also very likely done to make Brunson happy since he had taken a huge pay cut for them.
Fans and media alike were shocked by the amount of draft capital sent by the Knicks. I even remember saying to a friend “If the Knicks don’t win a championship, this is just a terrible trade.” Many fans at the time, including me, thought the Knicks were better off holding onto those picks for when a true superstar became available.
But perhaps Bridges best trait? Durability. This guys hardly ever misses games. Proving such by playing and starting in all 82 games his past 2 seasons with the Knicks. The type of guy, who similar to OG, will play hard on both ends of the floor and help bring defensive versatility. A guy who doesn’t need to take 15+ shots a game and take the ball from Brunson.
He also had previous chemistry with superstar Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart during their time together on Villanova. Bridges is simply a durable, unselfish player who brings defensive versatility. He certainly had his moments as well during this magical playoff run; including a 20 point, 6 rebound, 6 assist Game 2 of the NBA Finals on the road while Brunson was struggling that night. Because of Brunson’s size, defense is a liability for him. Making it all the more important you surround him with great wing defenders like Bridges and Anunoby.
The second a championship banner goes up, nobody cares what the draft pick package was.
The KAT Trade Divided The Fanbase
The Knicks traded Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a top-13 protected 1st round pick for KAT. Randle had some horrible playoff games for the Knicks, so in my opinion I didn’t really have a hard time seeing him go. DiVincenzo, on the other hand, was a fan favorite and very good friend of Jalen Brunson from their Villanova days. I wasn’t too sad to see Randle go, but one thing you would never question about Randle or DiVincenzo? Toughness. And at the time this is exactly what you would question about KAT. His skill set is amazing, but fans worried how he would react when that more physical brand of playoff basketball came around.
KAT is an extremely talented player. A former first overall pick, he is a 7″ center who can stretch the floor with his shooting ability. The Knicks desperately needed a center, and the potential Brunson-KAT pick-and-roll immediately jumped off the page too. Now with this trade, the Knicks officially had their other star to pair alongside Brunson.
And now, any question about KAT’s toughness should be gone. He showed no fear against Wembanyama, and played amazing defense against him as well. KAT was vital during this run, but especially so during the first 2 wins in San Antonio and just the Finals in general. There may be no bigger task than guarding Wembanyama right now in the league, and KAT rose to the occasion and then some. The move looked questionable, but this championship changed the verdict. This trade was undoubtedly the correct move.
Championships Change The Conversation
Winning is absolutely everything in sports. If your team wins a championship, all is great and you don’t think as much about the past and what it took to get there. Media, and us as fans too, love to grade trades and signings immediately before seeing the product on the court/field. For this reason, you need a GM/president who is not scared to do what they think is right for the team. Even if that means trading someone the fans like or signing someone the fans don’t want. You need to shut out the outside perspectives and do what is best for the team regardless of what the response may be. Leon Rose and the Knicks did this time and time again.
Front offices can’t care about winning the press conference or headline. They should care about winning championships only. The moves that were once criticized are now forever connected to ending a 53-year title drought. And for Knicks fans, that’s all that really matters.
The critics got their headlines. The Knicks got the Larry O’Brien trophy.
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