Fantasy influence of Knicks-Timberwolves commerce: Karl-Anthony Cities an early winner forward of coaching camp

Big news went down Friday night with the Timberwolves sending Karl-Anthony Cities to the New York Knicks in trade for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a 2025 protected first-round decide. Beneath, I define the implications of the blockbuster deal and the way it impacts my newest fantasy basketball rankings.

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Karl-Anthony Cities, PF/C, New York Knicks

Cities is undoubtedly among the finest 3-point-shooting massive males ever. Nonetheless, his declining rebound price has decreased his worth in fantasy over the previous couple of seasons. Enjoying alongside Rudy Gobert will do this, however now that Cities is with a depleted Knicks frontcourt, it is time to recoup a few of his manufacturing on the glass. With Mitchell Robinson nonetheless on the mend, Cities will play much more middle this season.

KAT is aware of Knicks head coach Tom Thibideau, too. Of their three seasons collectively in Minnesota, Cities averaged 23.6 factors, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 3s and a couple of.2 shares with 53/37/84 capturing splits and by no means completed under sixth in nine-category codecs. Regardless of their points, it is evident that Thibs brings out the perfect model of KAT.

The Knicks have one of the strongest starting lineups in the NBA and including Cities is a large increase offensively due to his effectivity and talent to stretch the ground. He’ll settle in because the second possibility, however with an increase in rebounds and shares, I’ve moved him up in my rankings from a late third to a mid-to-late second-rounder in fantasy hoops drafts.

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Julius Randle – PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves

There have been questions all offseason about how Julius Randle would alter his sport to mesh with the new-look Knicks after primarily being the King of New York a few years in the past. His inefficiencies and ball-stopping had been typically cited as causes he would now not be a very good match with New York. Sadly, we can’t get an opportunity to search out out, as he is been shipped to Minnesota.

Randle is coming off an injury-plagued season the place he performed in 46 video games. He had surgical procedure on his proper shoulder within the offseason, so this yr is crucial to show that he can return to his All-NBA type. There’s some monetary motivation at stake right here, too. If Randle performs effectively, he might decline his participant possibility to check free company in the summertime. Whereas that sounds nice, I’ve doubts. Final yr’s Sixth Man of the 12 months, Naz Reid, is ready within the wings and we do not know what Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch plans to do with the lineup configurations.

Randle will begin, however I doubt he’ll get the Thibs’ heavy-minute therapy in Minnesota, which ought to hamper his fantasy worth some. Randle’s going within the sixth spherical of drafts and that is most likely too excessive contemplating this transformation in surroundings. I moved him right down to the late seventh spherical in my newest class rankings.

Donte DiVincenzo – SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves

I like this commerce for DiVincenzo from a real-life basketball perspective. When evaluating the Timberwolves roster, Mike Conley turns 37 this yr, and rookie Robert Dillingham is unlikely to affix the rotation from the onset. DiVincenzo can step in instantly and add worth to a Timberwolves crew that wants a 3-point specialist on the perimeter. His versatility permits him to play a number of positions, together with level guard.

DiVincenzo was a league-winner in fantasy basketball final season, ending sixty fourth in nine-category leagues, however as a lot as I like his sport and match for this crew, he will not be greater than a fringe asset coming off the bench — capping his fantasy upside. Accidents occur, so it is attainable to see him reemerge as a fantasy star if the minutes open up. DiVincenzo is being drafted within the tenth spherical, and that is the place I’ve him in my newest rankings.