By John Aurelus @nyknicksfinest

The 2024-2025 NBA season is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory, especially if you’re a New York Knicks fan. It all started on July 6th, 2024, when our phones collectively buzzed with the now formerly infamous “Woj Bomb” that confirmed what we had been hoping for: Leon Rose, the Knicks’ mastermind, had pulled off a blockbuster deal with our crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Nets. The deal? None other than the league’s most coveted player, Mikal Bridges, was heading to Madison Square Garden.

Bridges’ arrival marked the completion of a Villanova Wildcats reunion on the Knicks roster, as he joined former college teammates Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart. This “Nova 4” was immediately heralded as the core that could lead the Knicks to their first NBA title in over five decades. With Bridges on board, the Knicks now had one of the most potent, well-rounded lineups in the league. All we had to do was survive the long summer months, waiting for the season to begin.

But Knicks fans were in for another shock.

Just as we were winding down on September 27th, at 10:27 PM, another notification shook Knicks Nation. This time, it was the inaugural  “Shams Bomb,” with Shams Charania reporting: “The Knicks have acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick via Detroit.”

Knicks fans are known for their loyalty and appreciation, but this news hit hard. The dream of seeing the “Nova 4” dominate together on the court vanished, replaced by the reality that we were saying goodbye to two key players—Randle, the heart of our rebuild, and DiVincenzo, a key part of the Villanova brotherhood. Yet, on the flip side, we were bringing in a two-time All-NBA selection, a four-time All-Star, and undoubtedly one of the top centers in the league in Towns. On paper, the move made sense, especially as Towns seemed like the perfect complement to our star point guard, Jalen Brunson.

But as any Knicks fan knows, it’s never just about what’s on paper.

The Isaiah Factor

What does this trade have to do with Isaiah Hartenstein? Well, in an amusing twist, Knicks beat writer Steve Popper reported that Josh Hart jokingly said, “Blame Isaiah” after realizing the GQ photo shoot featuring DiVincenzo made it clear he was gone. While the comment was made in jest, it did make me reflect on how different this Knicks roster could have looked had Hartenstein re-signed.

So, I started to compare what I had hoped our rotation would be going into the season versus what it actually is now. Here’s a breakdown:

Hoped-for Rotation:

• PG: Jalen Brunson
• SG: Mikal Bridges
• SF: OG Anunoby
• PF: Julius Randle
• C: Isaiah Hartenstein

Bench Depth:

• Mitchell Robinson
• Josh Hart
• Donte DiVincenzo
• Deuce McBride
• Precious Achiuwa

Actual Rotation:

• PG: Jalen Brunson
• SG: Josh Hart
• SF: Mikal Bridges
• PF: OG Anunoby
• C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Bench Depth:

• Mitchell Robinson
• Deuce McBride
• Precious Achiuwa
• Cameron Payne
• Jericho Sims

On one hand, the vision of Hartenstein as a gritty, defensive anchor and Randle’s bruising presence alongside OG Anunoby was tantalizing. But my rational side knows that Towns is an undeniable upgrade. He’s a versatile big man who can stretch the floor, score inside, and fit into a modern offense in ways Hartenstein simply can’t.

A Good Problem to Have

I don’t know about you, but I’m torn. My heart favors the scrappy underdogs, while my head acknowledges the brilliance of a roster headlined by Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, and Towns. After 35 years as a Knicks fan, though, this is finally a good problem to have.

Ultimately, whether or not the Knicks made the right decision will come down to Towns’ performance on the court. Much like Bridges, the Knicks gave up a lot to acquire him, but unlike Bridges, this deal came at the cost of two players we consider family. Randle and DiVincenzo are made men in New York City, and we wish them nothing but the best in Minnesota.

But for now, it’s all about “Bodega Kat”—our new man in the middle. The stage is set for Towns to prove he can live up to the expectations of Knicks Nation and lead this team to glory. If he does, the trade will be remembered as the moment the Knicks landed their best center since Patrick Ewing.

Now, all we can do is sit back and enjoy the ride. What a time to be a Knicks fan.