This is what the New York Knicks do.
They make moves that get people talking, shake things up when the timing feels right, and go all-in when they believe the moment calls for it.
And they’ve only done it again.
Some of these decisions make perfect sense.
Others leave you wondering if the front office knows something the rest of us don’t.
- The Knicks signed Anton Watson to a two-way deal after he averaged 12 points and 5.4 rebounds in the G League.
- New York failed to trade for Walker Kessler, keeping Mitchell Robinson as their primary center.
- OG Anunoby secured a $212.5M deal after proving his defensive and scoring value.
Anton Watson Joins the Knicks
It started with Anton Watson, a player most people wouldn’t have expected to be in the Knicks’ plans.
But he’s now officially part of the roster, as claimed by the Boston Celtics after spending the season in the G League with Maine.
It’s a two-way contract, so it’s not some franchise-altering decision, but it’s another piece, another experiment, another name to keep an eye on.
The move only happened because the Knicks opened up some space, parting ways with Matt Ryan and Jacob Toppin, who were hanging onto two-way deals.
They decided Watson was the better bet, the guy with more upside.
And if you ask ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks didn’t waste any time filling that hole.
“The New York Knicks are claiming former Celtics forward Anton Watson on a two-way NBA deal, his agents Adie von Gontard and Daveed Cohen of Young Money APAA tell ESPN.”
Watson’s college career at Gonzaga was solid—five seasons, and by the time he wrapped up his run, he was a full-time starter.
The Celtics saw enough to draft him in the second round, No. 54 overall.
But they didn’t bring him into their rotation.
Instead, he spent the entire season playing for Maine, averaging 12 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 16 games.
So now he goes to Westchester, where he’ll either carve out something meaningful or become another name that drifts into the background.
But the bigger story isn’t about Watson; it’s more so about the trade that didn’t happen.
Knicks Miss Out on Walker Kessler as Jazz Hold Firm
This one had potential, a real potential.
The Knicks wanted Walker Kessler.
The Lakers wanted Walker Kessler.
But yet, Walker Kessler is still in Utah.
Marc Stein reported that both teams pushed hard to make a deal with the Jazz, who are dead last in the Western Conference at 15-45.
Logic says a rebuilding team should be open to deals, especially when their player isn’t an established All-Star yet.
But Utah wasn’t interested in moving Kessler unless they got exactly what they wanted.
They wanted more than what the Knicks or Lakers were willing to give up.
And because Kessler stayed put, New York is now left wondering what could’ve been.
Kessler’s numbers this season clearly show why he was a target:
- 11.4 points per game on 67.3% shooting
- 12.2 rebounds per game
- 2.3 blocks per game
- 30.4 minutes per game in 46 appearances
With Mitchell Robinson injured at the time, the Knicks needed a legit big man to protect the rim.
They weren’t about to go into the playoffs with just Isaiah Hartenstein holding down the paint.
The front office tried, and it wasn’t enough.
The Lakers had their own problems.
They had already moved Anthony Davis to Dallas for Luka Doncic, which meant they needed a center even more desperately than New York.
They nearly worked out a trade for Mark Williams from Charlotte, but the Hornets backed out because of concerns about his injuries.
So the Lakers walked away with nothing.
The Knicks walked away with nothing.
And the Jazz, somehow, still have Walker Kessler.
OG Anunoby Proves the Knicks Made the Right Call
If anyone thought OG Anunoby was just a short-term rental, the Knicks proved otherwise.
It all started at the end of 2023, when New York made a massive trade with the Toronto Raptors, sending RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley north of the border.
Both had been with the team since their draft nights in 2019 and 2020, which made the move emotional for Knicks fans.
The reaction was mixed—some were furious, others confused, and many just wanted to see Anunoby in action before forming an opinion.
Then he played, and suddenly, everything made sense.
Anunoby brought exactly what the Knicks needed—tough, smart defense, efficient shooting, and a presence that made New York a legitimate threat in the East.
The team was rolling, the energy was high, and the trade looked like a masterstroke.
But then, the injuries came.
First, Julius Randle dislocated his shoulder at the end of January, a blow that shook the team’s frontcourt.
Then, Anunoby suffered a hamstring injury in the second round of the playoffs against Indiana, forcing him to miss significant time.
He returned for Game 7 but barely saw the floor.
And just like that, the Knicks’ season ended.
Despite the setback, New York knew Anunoby was too valuable to let go, so they locked him in with a five-year, $212.5 million contract, ensuring he remained a key part of their future.
Some questioned the deal, especially when the Philadelphia 76ers landed Paul George on a four-year max contract, a move that seemed less risky and more polished on paper.
But the Knicks weren’t about to gamble on losing Anunoby.
They understood his impact, particularly on defense, and were willing to invest in his value.
So far, he’s proving them right.
This season, Anunoby is averaging 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 47.4% from the field and 36.4% from three.
He recently had one of his best all-around performances, putting up 23 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in a win against Miami.
Sitting firmly in the top three of the Eastern Conference at 40-20, the Knicks know Anunoby is one of the most important parts of their championship puzzle.
And Then There’s RJ Barrett
What makes this whole thing even more interesting?
The guy the Knicks gave up to get Anunoby—RJ Barrett—might not even last long in Toronto.
Over the summer, the Raptors committed to Immanuel Quickley, signing him to a five-year, $175 million deal.
Barrett, on the other hand, is suddenly in trade rumors again.
The Raptors shocked everyone when they traded for Brandon Ingram before the deadline, raising real questions about where Barrett fits in their long-term plans.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that Barrett was even offered in the Ingram trade, but the Pelicans wanted Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk instead.
And that says a lot.
“With Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones already on the wing, the Pelicans didn’t view Barrett as a suitable fit for their roster as talks would have necessitated finding a third team, sources said.”
If Toronto wasn’t fully sold on him, then what’s stopping them from moving him this offseason?
Are the Knicks One Piece Away from Becoming True Contenders?
They missed out on Kessler but secured Anunoby and picked up Watson, adding another young piece to their roster.
While questions remain about their frontcourt depth, the Warriors are 40-20 and positioned for a serious playoff run.
With Mitchell Robinson back, Jalen Brunson playing at an All-Star level, and Anunoby proving his worth, the Knicks have all the pieces to legitimately compete for a title.
It might not happen this year, but one thing is certain—this is no longer the Knicks team of old.
The days of being an afterthought in the NBA are over.
The Knicks are here, they’re serious, and they’re ready to take the next step.
