Paul George ‘Ignites Rivalry’ with ‘Awful’ KAT?
Our Knicks Notebook, with the Jalen Brunson-led New York squad pushing toward NBA playoff success. All the news and notes and quotes inside!
? Paul George began training camp media availability with light-hearted commentary on the New York Knicks' recent trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. The Philadelphia 76ers star also changed teams this past summer as he left the Los Angeles Clippers for the Joel-Embiid-led team in free agency.
"Terrible trade. Karl is awful. He's old ... That was a bad trade," George jokingly remarked.
George revealed that Towns is one of his closest friends. However, given the recent history between the Knicks and the 76ers, George will have to fake a scowl toward Towns if they meet in the 2025 playoffs.
The Knicks and 76ers had successful offseasons, but the ultimate decider of who had the better summer between lies in who makes it the furthest in the 2025 playoffs. We'll see if any jokes transpire during a heated postseason matchup.
? After absorbing Karl-Anthony Towns' $220.4 million contract, the New York Knicks miraculously didn't hit the second apron ceiling. When the Knicks traded Julius Randle for the Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star, it seemed like Leon Rose forfeited the idea of cap flexibility.
However, according to Spotrac's figures, the Knicks have $3.5 million in second apron cap space. Although such a scenario doesn't grant much wiggle room, Leon Rose can make subtle moves to improve the roster on the margin. Towns will earn $49.2 million for the 2024-25 season.
The Knicks look to capitalize on Towns' elite shooting and hope to fit the non-defensive big at the starting center position while Mitchell Robinson recovers from multiple ankle surgeries.
This story was originally published October 6, 2024, 7:49 AM.
