Huge information broke Friday night the Timberwolves sending Karl-Anthony Cities to the New York Knicks in change for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a protected 2025 first-round choose. Under, I define the implications of the blockbuster deal and the way that impacts my newest fantasy basketball rankings.
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Karl-Anthony Cities, PF/C, New York Knicks
Cities is undoubtedly the most effective 3-point taking pictures large males of all time. Nonetheless, his declining rebound price has diminished his fantasy worth over the previous two seasons. Enjoying alongside Rudy Gobert will try this, however now that Cities has a depleted Knicks frontcourt, it is time to get a few of his manufacturing again on the glass. With Mitchell Robinson nonetheless on the mend, Cities will play middle much more this season.
KAT additionally is aware of Knicks head coach Tom Thibideau. Of their three seasons collectively in Minnesota, Cities averaged 23.6 factors, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 threes and a couple of.2 steals with taking pictures splits of 53/37/ 84 and has by no means completed decrease than sixth in any nine-category format. Regardless of their points, it is clear that Thibs delivers the very best model of KAT.
The Knicks have one of many strongest beginning lineups within the NBA and the addition of Cities is a big enhance offensively attributable to his effectivity and talent to stretch the sphere. He’ll settle in as a second possibility, however with a rise in rebounds and motion, I’ve moved him up in my rankings from a late third to a mid or late second spherical in fantasy hoops drafts.
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Julius Randle – PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves
There have been questions all through the offseason about how Julius Randle would regulate his recreation to suit the Knicks’ new take care of primarily being the king of New York a number of years in the past. His inefficiencies and ball stopping have been usually cited as the reason why he would not be a superb match for New York. We can’t get an opportunity to search out out as a result of it was shipped to Minnesota.
Randle is coming off an injury-plagued season by which he performed 46 video games. He underwent surgical procedure on his proper shoulder within the offseason, so proving he can return to All-NBA type is vital this yr. There may be additionally a monetary motivation at play right here. If Randle performs properly, he might decline his participant possibility to check free company this summer time. Although it sounds nice, I’ve my doubts. Final yr’s Sixth Man of the Yr, Naz Reid, is ready within the wings and we do not know what Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch plans to do with the roster setup.
Randle will begin, however I doubt he’ll get the Thibs’ heavy therapy in Minnesota, which ought to hamper his fantasy worth. Randle goes within the sixth spherical of the draft and that is most likely too excessive given this alteration of surroundings. I introduced him again on the finish of the seventh spherical in my final class rating.
Donte DiVincenzo – SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves
I like this commerce for DiVincenzo from an precise basketball perspective. When evaluating the Timberwolves roster, Mike Conley will probably be 37 this yr and rookie Robert Dillingham is unlikely to affix the rotation early on. DiVincenzo can step in instantly and add worth to a Timberwolves group in want of a 3-point specialist on the perimeter. His versatility permits him to play a number of positions, together with level guard.
DiVincenzo received the fantasy basketball league final season, ending sixty fourth in leagues in 9 classes, however whereas I like his recreation and if he is a match for this group, he will not be greater than an asset marginal coming off the bench – capping his fantasy in reverse. Accidents occur, so it is potential to see him reemerge as a fantasy star if the minutes open up. DiVincenzo is drafted within the tenth spherical, and that is the place I’ve him in my newest rankings.
