Last Friday, the New York Knicks traded Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo among others to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl Anthony-Towns in a blockbuster move. The timing of the trade is surprising given that most moves happen in July, and the NBA season starts in less than a month. As for the players involved, it seems like a decent trade on paper. The Knicks still are among the league’s contenders, but they are rolling the dice in more ways than one. 

On the positive side, Towns is very talented. He possesses a unique skill set for a big man thanks to his ability to score in the paint and beyond the three point arc. He has averaged over 20 points in the last eight seasons to go along with a career average 10 rebounds. Towns’ skills on the perimeter particularly separate him from other big men. His 39.8% three point shooting is the best among all centers in NBA history, which should benefit the Knicks who will now have even more floor spacing. Towns gave fans a preview of that skillset in their opening preseason game when he drained a 27 foot three pointer for his first points. 

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He also began to embrace the role of a number two option in Minnesota, which bodes well for Jalen Brunson. The Knicks clearly want to maximize Brunson’s skills and Towns gives them a legitimate scoring threat who can space the floor. Both of their skill sets give them the potential to be a dangerous offense duo. I attended their preseason game against the Washington Wizards and was already impressed by the two-man game between both players. Towns' floor spacing allows him to succeed on the pick and roll or pick and pop. He's also capable of setting up Brunson to score as Towns is a decent passer for his position.

From a lineup standpoint, the Knicks likely felt they had a surplus of guys who play both shooting guard and small forward. When they traded for Mikal Bridges back in June, it meant that DiVincenzo and Josh Hart would be playing reduced minutes. While the Knicks could’ve used a committee to give Bridges, DiVincenzo, and Hart similar minutes, this trade helps give them more stability in that area. Bridges and Hart will be playing the same range of minutes from around 30-35 a game which gives them more chances to be impactful.

More importantly, Towns has helped turn the Timberwolves into a regular playoff team. They’ve made three straight playoff appearances with this past season being their deepest playoff run in 20 years. His growing playoff experience fits well with a Knicks team that has also made the playoffs three times in the last four years. 

However, there are also multiple risks that come with this trade. Towns hasn’t exactly been healthy in recent years. Since 2019, Towns has played 250 out of 382 games, which is a vast comparison to Randle who only missed 17 games in four seasons before suffering a season ending shoulder injury in January. 

Discipline is also a problem for Towns. He has gotten in foul trouble in each of his last three playoff appearances, which ultimately affected his minutes down the stretch. Given that discipline is a huge component of the Knicks defense, Towns doesn’t have to be an elite rim protector like Dikembe Mutombo, but he has to play smarter on that end. 

Even if he does happen to be everything the Knicks hope, they need his production to be sustainable in the long term. Towns has a large contract that will kick in starting this season. Whereas Randle was eligible for a four year, $181 million extension, Towns’ salary will be four years and $220 million. The lowest the Knicks will have to pay in a single season will be the $49 million he’s owed this year. 

Finally, there’s the fact that Randle and DiVincenzo have already proved to be critical pieces for the Knicks. Randle is one of the prime reasons why the Knicks have become a winning team. When the Knicks signed Randle, they were coming off a 17 win season. Since then, Randle has made the Knicks into a regular playoff team. Each year, he’s gotten better and has three all star appearances and two All-NBA selections to back it up. He was well on his way to another All-NBA appearance before injuring his shoulder in January. 

DiVincenzo blossomed into an essential contributor in his lone season with the Knicks. A fiery competitor, DiVincenzo averaged a career high 15.5 points on 40% three-point shooting. He was one of the few Knicks who was healthy the entire season and he only got better as the season went on. In the playoffs, DiVincenzo relished big moments, hitting multiple go-ahead shots under the final minute. 

​This is the definition of a blockbuster move. Towns gives the Knicks a player that is talented and capable of complementing Brunson. If he can stay healthy, Towns will thrive on the offensive end and give New York another threat to close out games. However, the Knicks are risking the chemistry on the team. Despite the injuries, the Knicks were a very tight-knit team that embraced all of their responsibilities. Lots of Knicks fans anticipate what a healthier version would look like, and there’s still plenty of reason to be excited. However, team chemistry will be another thing to watch more than last year.

There is a ton of anticipation surrounding the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. They have a decorated roster with talent ranging from Basketball Hall of Famers like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, to potential faces of the league such as Anthony Edwards. As a whole, this year’s roster consists of four MVP winners and seven champions. In contrast, the previous two teams had Kevin Durant as the only MVP winner and just two more NBA champions combined than this year’s team.  

The makeup of Team USA from a skills perspective is highly balanced with players who can succeed in different ways. Offensively, they have guys who could score without needing the ball, along with other players who are willing to guard the opposing team’s best player. 

“We have the ability to play different styles,” Hall of Famer and USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill said recently in an interview with Andscape. “We have flexibility. We can go big, we can go small. We have shooting and we have experience.” 

One guy who checks all of those boxes is, of course, LeBron James. After winning his second gold medal in 2012, James has built a Hall of Fame career in the last 12 years alone. He may not be athletic like he was, but he returns as a more polished player with a valid case to be proclaimed the greatest of all time. 

Joining James are Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, who are seen as the next two best players of their generation after James. Durant is accustomed to Olympic play having won the last three gold medals, while Curry is probably the best point USA has had since Chris Paul in the 2012 Olympics. 

Defensively, they have two elite rim protectors in Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis. Both of them share a combined eight all defensive selections. Even Team USA’s best role players are Jayson Tatum, who is fresh off a championship, and Devin Booker who is one of the league’s top scorers. 

As a whole, there are a lot of players who specialize in all different areas which makes it easier for everyone to seamlessly compliment one another. It will require some players to sacrifice some of their skills. Davis and Jrue Holiday might be in the game only for their defense, while Booker might be better suited for a role off the bench. If they’re willing to make these sacrifices, Team USA’s path to gold will be the equivalent of a walk in Luxembourg Gardens. 

That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges however. While Team USA boosts the best squad on paper, Olympic basketball is more of a contrast from the NBA game. While an NBA court is 94 by 50 ft, Federal International Basketball Association (FIBA) courts are about 91 by 49 ft. There are also different rules such as players being allowed to touch the ball after it hits the rim, and jump balls getting determined based on who was last awarded possession. 

Not only are team USA’s opponents more equipped with these regulations, but they also have more experience playing together. Most of these players spend their offseason playing with their countries and are used to playing with each other. Team USA might feature some players who played for the same team during the regular season, but not everyone has played together before. 

"They have to get acclimated for FIBA and to this style, and that’s what the preparation is all about is trying to get them to understand what wins and loses a FIBA game,” Head Coach Steve Kerr said recently. 

The teams as a whole have also improved going into these Olympics. Plenty of talented players like Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be representing their countries.

France, who narrowly lost out on gold to USA in 2021, will receive a massive upgrade with the newest NBA phenom and Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama making his Olympic debut.

Canada has also emerged as a threat with a talented backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray among other solid NBA players.

Germany is bringing back the same team that beat USA Basketball in the World Cup, and nearly won the rematch in the exhibition games. 

Even with the competition, there are  plenty of reasons that team USA will win gold for the fifth straight Olympics. Not only is this one of their most talented rosters, but most of the players they will be counting on have already played in the Olympics at least once. With the competition improving, having experienced players such as James will be a huge factor. In their last two exhibition games against South Sudan and Germany, James’ last minute heroics were the difference. 

There is also a desire among the players and coaches to keep USA Basketball on top. Even if the players might not admit it, there’s no other reason why James would be returning to the Olympics while also recruiting guys like Curry and Davis. They are eager to show they can help the USA maintain their superiority in basketball at a time where other countries are looking to prove themselves. 

“We have competitors,” Hill said. “Part of why they want to do this is they want that challenge and they want to show that we could be the best.”

The Yankees have given their fans plenty of reasons to be excited about the team’s potential this season. They currently own the best record in baseball at 42-19 and rank in the top five in almost every statistical category among individual players and teams. Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are already dueling for AL MVP, while Anthony Volpe has made a significant jump in his second year. All of these expectations were realistic among among fans before the season.

However, their pitching has emerged as one of the main factors toward their success. When reigning Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole was placed on the injured list for two months due to an elbow injury, the starting unit was faced with a steep task to produce in his absence. However, the team has responded in a big way. Starting pitchers, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman have all contributed which has resulted in a very balanced and effective rotation. They currently lead the league in wins and ERA while placing sixth or better in other pitching categories. 

The most successful of the bunch are Carlos Rodon and Luis Gil. Rodon signed with the Yankees in 2022 as one of the highest coveted pitchers in free agency. Although he dealt with injuries and inconsistent play last season, Rodon now looks like the big-time pitcher the Yankees envisioned him to be. He has allowed three or less runs in all but one game this season, and holds a 7-2 record. More importantly, Rodon seems comfortable handling the pressure of being a high-priced free agent for the Yankees.

"This doesn't feel overwhelming anymore," Rodon said after a win against the Chicago White Sox. "This feels like home which is nice. That makes a big difference."

Gil has been the biggest surprise in general for the Yankees. After playing sparingly in 2021 and 2022, he has made a significant impact in his first official season in pinstripes. Gil is tied for the team lead in wins, and his 1.99 ERA is the fifth best in all of baseball. That includes a .70 ERA in May that helped earn him AL Pitcher of the Month. His spectacular month also saw him make some franchise history by setting the rookie record for strikeouts in a game with 14 against the White Sox. 

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Nestor Cortes hasn't quite resembled the all star he was back in 2022, but he has still bounced back from a disappointing 2023 season. Cortes' ERA has dipped from 4.97 to 3.46 and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is a career high 4.9. For Cortes to fully replicate his success from 2022, he'll have to find a way to string together solid performances on the road which is where he's struggled. 

Before ending up on the injured list with a lat strain, Clarke Schmidt was continuing to find proper footing in the starting rotation. After starting last season with a 2-6 record, Schmidt emerged as the team's second most reliable pitcher after Cole finishing with a 6-2 mark. This season, he was off to a fantastic start with a 5-2 record and a 2.52 ERA. If Schmidt can come back strong this season, he'll be a valuable piece on the back end of their starting rotation. 

Marcus Stroman has been exactly what the Yankees hoped he could be when they inked him in free agency this past winter. He is performing exceptional as the second starter in the rotation with a 5-2 record and 2.73 ERA. Some of Stroman's most productive outings have occurred without needing to strikeout batters as he leads the team in ground ball outs with 77. 

What is particularly impressive about the Yankees' starting rotation is their ability to succeed in different ways. On one hand, they have hard throwers like Gil, Schmidt, and Rodon whose go-to pitches travel beyond the average pitch speed, They also have guys like Stroman and Cortes' who throw below the average speed. In addition, they are able to get outs in various ways whether it's Gil's high strikeout rate or Stroman's ability to generate outs in the field.  

There are some questions to be desired such as whether Gil can continue to thrive in a bigger role. He saw limited action before this season so batters might not be well-prepared to face him. That could change as Gil gets more playing time. There will also be decisions to make in the back end of the rotation when Schmidt returns since Cole will be likely be healthy by then. Cortes undoubtably has the most impressive resume between him, Schmidt, and Gil, but he has also struggled the most out of the three this season. 

However, Cole's return will certainly ease some of those concerns regardless of how everything else plays out. In four years on the mound, Cole has been every bit of an ace for the Yankees leading the AL in wins, strikeouts, and ERA at least once with his Cy Young award serving as his latest accomplishment. If anything he should elevate the rotation because they have delivered in what has possibly been their most important stretch this season. 

Last Sunday saw the New York Knicks' season end in convincing fashion to the Indiana Pacers. The combination of injuries and hot-shooting by the Pacers resulted in a 130-109 defeat for the team's biggest game of the season. But for the Knicks to even be in that position is nothing short of spectacular. In their third playoff appearance in four years, this year's team was arguably the best of the bunch and there are many reasons to support that statement. 

For starters, the Knicks had their first 50 win season in 11 years and their second overall in the last 24 seasons. They had a talented roster that featured two all stars in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, along with a resilient group of guys who stepped up despite injuries to multiple key contributors, including their entire front court. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has installed this mentality within the team since taking over, and he became the fifth coach in Knicks history to make the playoffs three times. 

Even when the team won six of their last seven games to clinch the number two seed, people believed they should tank for a more favorable matchup in the playoffs rather than face the Philadelphia 76ers who were riding their own hot streak. However, New York was rewarded for their approach as they defeated Philadelphia in six thrilling games, and were up 3-2 against the Pacers before running out of steam. Even with the result, the Knicks established themselves as contenders going forward. 

At the centerpiece of their team, is point guard Jalen Brunson. Last season, Brunson made an immediate impact leading the Knicks to the second round, but that now seems like a footnote compared to this season. Brunson enjoyed another career year in points and assists, along with his first all-star and All-NBA selections. Through his toughness and creativity, Brunson has become one of New York's most beloved athletes. He might not possess much physical gifts, but Brunson knows how to set up himself and his teammates to succeed. In the playoffs, Brunson continued his brilliance setting a franchise record for points in a playoff game with 47, along with being the fourth player in NBA history to have five or more playoff games with at least 40 points and five assists. 
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However, Brunson isn't the sole reason for the Knicks' success. Although Julius Randle's season abruptly ended with a shoulder injury, he continued to grow his skills since winning Most Improved Player in 2021. After a slow start, Randle began to resemble the All-NBA player he was in two of the previous three seasons, averaging 24 points and nine rebounds. Randle was particularly at his best inside the three point arc where he tied his career best for two-point field goals with 6.9 makes. He was playing some of his best basketball in the last two months before his injury, and should bounce back strong next season. 
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The Knicks additionally fielded a strong group of role players who excelled in different areas. In December, they traded fan-favorites RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for OG Anunoby who proved to be a perfect fit with his defense and ability to score off the ball. In every game he suited up, the Knicks went 26-5. 
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Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstien also became beloved role players with their hustle and willingness to make impact plays that didn't always appear in the box score. Their durability was essential during the second half of the season along with the playoffs. Hartenstien made 37 more starts than any other season combined while Hart played four playoff games without resting. 
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Donte DiVincenzo enjoyed a career year in his first season wearing orange and blue. He averaged personal bests in scoring and three point percentage. In addition, he had a knack for big shots which occurred in the closing seconds of playoff wins against Philadelphia and Indiana. 
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Mitchell Robinson was still a reliable rim protector when healthy. He was initially diagnosed with a season ending ankle injury in December, but came back before the playoffs and was giving the team solid minutes before Joel Embiid grabbed his ankles while air-born. Yet Robinson came back during the series and was part of a team effort that contained Embiid in the fourth quarter of game six. 

Miles McBride went from being seldom used to the team's primary ball-handler off the bench. After trading for Anunoby, the Knicks gave McBride a three year, $13 million contract extension which now looks like a bargain. McBride grew more comfortable running the offense while remaining a tenacious defender. 

While the Knicks roster lacked the stability that other playoff teams enjoyed, the on-court chemistry every one of their players shared was undeniable. One can point to how Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo, who played together at Villanova, possessed their own skills that benefited the team. Or the fact that Anunoby immediately made a difference despite admitting to not fully knowing the plays early on. Unselfish sequences like Hartenstein keeping possessions alive, and the team's hard-nosed defense were common throughout the year. 

But none of that is possible without Thibodeau installing his philosophy of hard work, toughness, and resilience toward each player. Every player bought in to Thibodeau's culture and it was evident at various points of the season whether it was during the team's red-hot January, or against Philadelphia where all but one game wasn't decided until the final minute. Even during the most adverse times, such as a rough February, their mental toughness never faded. There were multiple players such as Brunson and Robinson playing through injuries, while Anunoby tried playing through a hamstring injury in game 7 before ultimately having to sit out. That type of competitive mindset is what enabled the Knicks to make it so far. 

This offseason will be more about keeping the roster intact than trying to find a star player. Perhaps no evidence better supports this case than their NBA-best 14-2 record in January. That was the healthiest version of the Knicks' current roster, and they were in the midst of a nine game winning streak at the time of Randle's injury. Despite playing the last two games of the month without him, New York's 246 point differential during the month was higher  than any other NBA team in a single month this season. 

The Knicks will certainly try to resign Anunoby and Hartenstien who are both free agents this summer. Anunoby is expected to return while Hartenstien will be coveted by other teams though he has voiced a desire to stay. Brunson is also eligible for an extension and is reportedly willing to take less money if it means signing this summer. With those moves and some much-needed rest for everyone, a big year could be on the horizon. 

After an entertaining 82 games, along with the play-in tournament, the NBA playoff standings are finally established. Teams were constantly moving up and down until the final day of the regular season, and the result is a well-balanced playoff field in both conferences. There are favorites to win the NBA Finals such as the top-seeded Boston Celtics, while other teams such as the up-and-coming Thunder are aiming to establish themselves. With postseason play beginning on Saturday, here are my playoff predictions. 

Eastern Conference:                                                                                                               Western Conference:                                                                                                                   
#1 Celtics 4                                                                                                                                                  #1 Thunder 4
#8 Heat 1                                                                                                                                                      #8 Pelicans 1
                    

                          #1 Celtics 4                                                                                       #1 Thunder 4 
                          #4 Magic 0                                                                                      #4 Mavericks 3 

#4 Cavaliers 3                                                                                                                                            #4 Clippers 3
#5 Magic 4                                                                                                                                              #5 Mavericks 4
                                         #1 Celtics 4                  #1 Celtics 4                 #1 Nuggets 4        
                                         #2 Knicks 1                #2 Nuggets 3              #2 Thunder 2        

#3 Bucks 4                                                                                                                                      #3 Timberwolves 2
#6 Pacers 3                                                                                                                                                       #6 Suns 4
                           #2 Knicks 4                                                                              #2 Nuggets 4   
                           #3 Bucks 1                                                                                #6 Suns 2    
#2 Knicks 4                                                                                                                                                 #2 Nuggets 4
#7 76ers 2                                                                                                                                                       #7 Lakers 1 

This year marks one of the most anticipated drafts in the WNBA’s history. With a number of marketable stars in recent years, women's college basketball has gained significant interest thanks to players such as Caitlin Clark from Iowa, Angel Reese of LSU, and Paige Bueckers from UConn. It's always a big deal when there's a wide range of superstars playing at the same time, and it helps that they play for the league's powerhouse teams. With the WNBA draft on Monday, it will be interesting to see whether athletes like Clark and Reese will make a similar impact on the WNBA as they did in college. 

As it is, the WNBA has also seen a growth of interest this past season. With superstars such as Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and A'ja Wilson leading the way, last regular season saw the most viewership in 21 years, and the highest attendance in 13 years. The WNBA Finals, which featured Wilson's Las Vegas Aces against the New York Liberty with Stewart and Ionescu, saw a 36 percent increase from the previous year. Other types of engagement through social media and online betting also saw a significant jump over the past year. 

A big factor of the WNBA’s increasing popularity can be attributed to its ability to market star athletes. More people are starting to notice the league’s recognizable athletes, and while the viewership numbers still don’t match up with other professional sports, it is certainly progress for the WNBA itself. 

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert reiterated these favorable trends toward the end of the season. 

“This surge in interest not only showcases the immense talent and athleticism on the court but also highlights the compelling narratives that continue to emerge about the players and the league,” Engelbert said.

In the upcoming years, WNBA’s popularity should continue to grow with some of the players entering the league. Clark has become arguably the most recognizable athlete in men’s and women’s college basketball. With her limitless shooting range, Clark became the all-time leader in points for college basketball regardless of gender. During Clark’s tenure at Iowa, she led them to two consecutive championship appearances. Even though they lost both times, Clark will undoubtedly go number one in tonight’s WNBA draft. 

Following their loss last Sunday to the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks, head coach Dawn Staley was quick to praise Clark's impact on women's college basketball. 
"I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport," Staley said. "She carried a heavy load for our sport, and it just isn't gonna stop here."

After transferring from Maryland, Angel Reese has spent the last two seasons for LSU anchoring the paint on offense and defense. In Reese’s first season, she led LSU to the national championship while winning the tournament's Most Outstanding Player in the process. This season saw Reese win SEC Player of the Year for the first time. Reese’s playstyle involves a lot of taunting and trash talk, but she has often backed it up the last two years. 
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Following LSU's loss to Iowa, Reese announced her decision to enter the WNBA draft. 

Bueckers, on the other hand, has already voiced her desire to stay for another season at UConn to an ecstatic fan base. She is the latest phenomenon for a school that has produced plenty of other great women's basketball players such as Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart. As a freshman, Bueckers emerged into the spotlight, winning AP Player of the Year on a UConn team that reached the Final Four. Although she then had two injury-riddled seasons, Beuckers reintroduced herself this season by leading UConn back to the Final Four. 
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Bueckers might not have the flashy playstyle like Clark, but she can contribute in various ways both offensively and defensively.

In addition to these players who have caught fans' attention, Kamilla Cardoso led South Carolina to their third championship in eight years, and is projected to be a top five pick in the WNBA Draft. Juju Watkins of USC, and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame were also selected to the AP Women's All-America Team as freshmen.  

These players have been a driving force in women's college basketball popularity. Opportunities to profit from name, image, and likeness (NIL) have additionally played a role in their stardom. Bueckers was the first student athlete to ever sign with NIL, with Clark and Reese eventually reaching their own NIL agreements. Their brand endorsements include sponsorships with Gatorade, Bose, Nike, State Farm, and Sports Illustrated among others. 
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On the court, more people have tuned into women's college basketball than ever. Anytime the most recognizable players are playing for the teams with the best chance at winning the championship, people will naturally pay more attention. The women's tournament had more people tuning in compared to the men's tournament, for the first time ever. There was a six-day stretch where the average viewership record was broken three times. In the end, the championship game averaged an astonishing 18.7 million viewers with its peak coming at 24 million viewers.

Despite not even playing a game yet, the upcoming presence of these collegiate athletes have already started to make a positive effect on the WNBA and its popularity. The Indiana Fever, who own the number one pick, have already seen their average ticket prices rise up 133% with the assumption they will select Clark. Given that they're a small market team, it's a pretty incredible feat. While no team is currently guaranteed to select Reese or Cordoso, it’s likely whoever selects them will also receive more media attention. 

This is an ideal situation for the future WNBA athletes and the league itself to leverage the sport’s popularity at the college level. There are still issues regarding the players receiving respectable contracts, but the increasing interest is a huge positive. Assuming people will still follow players like Clark, Reese, and Bueckers, the league will only continue to receive more attention.

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