I have to give it to the front office, the 3 significant players they added between July and February really was a team-building clinic.
Knicks cleared necessary space for Brunson and cost was minimal. Adding a player of Brunson’s caliber (based on what we know now) typically will cost at least half a decade of picks and the best prospects on a rookie deal on our team.
Hartenstein at Mid level exception money is exactly what you want. A high-level backup who ends up being nearly interchangeable with the starter. Just great value at that league average contract for 2 years. The mid level essentially brings a neutral impact player and the Knicks nailed this.
Josh Hart for a late first rounder and contract filler is just highway robbery. Think about how Chicago was asking 2 1sts for Caruso. How Derrick white cost Boston a 2022 1st plus a 2028 pick swap. That’s a long ways away. This is what this level of player costs. Hart has been that and more at a value price.
On the other hand, teams like Cleveland and Phoenix who move heaven and earth for their star acquisitions but are left with a thin rotation and bare cupboard of assets to improve don’t have the same opportunities to improve as the Knicks, because the Knicks got these 3 high level impact players for pretty much nothing.
With what we have gotten from Hart, it’s much better value than the cost of someone like Anunoby. It’s like getting 90% the value at 25% the cost. All of this is essentially saying that getting a star is nice, but getting more guys the way the Knicks got Brunson, Hart and Hartenstein is just as important in order to win a title. We can win big with more acquisitions like these guys. Great work Knicks front office. The future is bright!
