CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Knicks paid the Hornets two second-round picks for helping them acquire Karl-Anthony Towns.
In order to complete the massive contract involving Towns, the Knicks and Timberwolves needed to bring in a third team, the Hornets, to absorb the player into cap space and make his salary worth it.
As a result, the Hornets receive three players from the Knicks (Charlie Brown Jr., Daquan Jeffries, and Duane Washington Jr.), two second-round picks from New York State, and one from Minnesota. We agreed on that. According to The Athletic.
As part of the deal, the Knicks reportedly acquired the rights to James Nagy from the Hornets.
Nagy is a center from Nigeria who was selected 31st overall in the 2023 draft. He is playing overseas, recently had back surgery, and is unlikely to play in the NBA this season.
The Knicks will also send Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Timberwolves for Towns.
Towns was unable to attend the Knicks' first day of training camp in Charleston because a deal was not finalized by Tuesday afternoon.
Mikal Bridges officially began his career with the Knicks on Tuesday, understanding that while his last stint in Brooklyn was a frustrating disappointment, it was also a valuable learning experience.
“Yeah, it was tough in Brooklyn, we were losing, and I don't think I personally handled it as well as I could have,” Bridges said after his first practice with the Knicks in training camp. “I always preach mental strength and never lose your spirit. But it was something I had never dealt with that way. And when I was there, that I think it was very difficult for the whole team, and there were expectations for everyone, and I don't think I was able to fully cope with that.
“But once we get here, we’ll be fine. Everybody’s locked in, everybody’s motivated, coach [Tom Thibodeau] I've locked everyone up. So I'm really glad to be here. ”
With the Nets, Bridges was burdened with the responsibility of being the No. 1 option on offense and struggled with efficiency as the centerpiece of opposing defenses.
He will have a different role at MSG than Jalen Brunson or Towns.
“That's what happens when you have two All-NBA players like that,” Bridges said. “There will definitely be more space.”
Bridges is expected to start in the backcourt alongside former Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson.
“I know how he plays and he knows how I play,” Brunson said, “the chemistry is still there.”
Mitchell Robinson, who is officially out indefinitely as he recovers from ankle surgery, did not travel to Charleston with the Knicks for training camp.
The center remained in New York and rehabbed at the team's facility.
Thibodeau declined to say exactly when Robinson will recover, but league officials are generally targeting December or January, depending on the progress of his rehabilitation.
Thibodeau explained why the Knicks returned to Charleston for the second year in a row for camp.
“When I was an assistant with the Knicks in the '90s, we used to do it every year, and we always enjoyed coming here,” the coach explained. “It's a beautiful place and it's a chance to have a vacation. The players enjoy being able to get away. They can walk in the evenings, go to nice restaurants and spend time with each other. The team The building aspect is amazing.”
Asked about the backup point guard rotation, Thibodeau emphasized the “versatility” of the options.
He mentioned several players, but interestingly omitted rookie Tyler Kolek.
“We have a number of guys who can play both on the ball and off the ball, and I think that's sometimes the hardest thing to guard,” Thibodeau said. “You want to create pace and then create movement. Sometimes like in the second half last year, Jalen would come off the ball and Josh would come off the ball. [Hart] They attacked us a lot last year. Mikal is used to it, Cam [Payne]deuce [McBride] Either is fine. So I really like the variety. ”
