Truth is we as fans also saw other trades as possible so its not hard to see that Randle, which no extension in place and Knicks with a gaping hole would want to solidify and balance the roster. Towns has been discussed many times over the years here and in media.
The how and when was way over our pay grade and media coving knicks. But it all starts to make sense in the aftermath.
Leons background as an agent, like others who have moved into front offices know how to get things done to the benefit of both and do so where the teams stay within the rules and operate with flexibility going forward. Nobody got raped in this deal. Both teams are better and Minny has flex going forward.
As for Aller, his job is to navigate the cap but its comes with little fanfare. HE is getting his due by media because knicks did a really masterful job leading up to this and its presented as such. Leon and Co. provided the pieces to make it happen, I think he has been operating like this for a while and some things did not work. Like Cam Reddish who might not have been a Thibian type but if we could have gotten him elevated he a better trade asset. Randle was here but also resigned here at a nice price and in return we provided an environment were he made all star teams and all NBA and is now in a position to make a really nice contract. We took care of him, and he did us also. Perhaps him getting traded was always on the table more than we know? We gave iHart a really nice raise and a two year deal. In time he did the work but it was not that smooth year 1 and he never really displaced Mitch in the starting line up. Injury did. iHart was a true success story and unfortunately new CBA and his surge got him outpriced. Aller fail? Nope, he over achieved!! DDV? He also got a massive raise from us and perhaps more than what Minny was able to pay him. Im sure he rather have not been traded from his Nova buds but its a tough biz and we took care of him. He worked hard and thrived in our culture!
Aller genius is part of Leons genius. We only see the deals that got done and grade them. Leon has not batted 100% but nobody does. He puts knicks in a position to be successful. If Embiid was made available, he was ready. If Giannis, we were ready to pounce. He did this with Mikal.
Maybe he tried to get others like Sangun or Ayton but the price was too high. Perhaps if Danny was not so tight we get DonovanMitchell right away and we don't sign Brunson? Maybe?? The rumors did fly even after we signed Jalen. What is impressive is we could have afforded Donovan but Leon drew a line. To go over it and not consider the path is a starphuch.
Someone here called Towns a "Starphuch". I doubt that very much because we did not empty the cupboard to get a marquee attraction as we did with Marbury or Melo. Those trades were for productive players to generate a buzz and sell tickets and generate interest with hope. Not all starphuchs are linear disasters. Melo had great seasons and we had one really good 54 win season!
This is no starphuch. It was calculated as was perhaps others we have no idea of. Not lost on Minny was they moved him to the east and put him in a good scenario as well. Adult for them. As for the price we paid, lets be honest, we called them. But Minny would be remiss if they did not talk to others.
We start the season with 4 core players: two Allstars and two top role players in Mikal and OG. All under contract or control and logical to extend over the next 4 years. Josh Hart is a fine journeyman player who has really found his niche here. If he gets that jumper worked out he'll be great.
I don't think we win a chip this year because usually moves like we did need another year to fill out depth. Im not counting it out because in the age of parity good fortune in ones health and others not could move the dial. The teams are not that far apart. Im not in the prediction game of doom/gloom nor we have reached the promised land quite yet. Im here to enjoy the ride. I don't like trading away players we root for and grow to like but in time the new guys if they show up replace them in our fandom hearts. WE still have Deuce as our rook! LOL
