Knicks trade deadline buzz, strategies to defend Karl-Anthony Towns and more: Mailbag

The New York Knicks are doing what they’re supposed to do: Win games and getting better in the process.

New York currently sits third in the Eastern Conference and is in the midst of a favorable schedule that stretches another week, with multiple games against the likes of the Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz coming up. Defensively, the Knicks have taken positive steps forward. Through the first 15 games of the season, New York was the NBA’s 22nd-ranked defense. Over the last 14 games, the Knicks have the No. 9-ranked defense.

Improvements are happening as the season gets older, and that’s exactly what you’d want to see from a team with championship aspirations that had a bit of a turbulent start.

With Christmas week here and the new year around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to answer fan questions about what’s been going on in New York and what is potentially ahead.

Happy holidays!

There’s been a lot of talk of improving the defense. What specifically are they looking to improve on? — @SG212MSG

The numbers suggest the defense has improved lately, and while that could be partly due to playing weaker opponents lately, there is one noticeable area in which things do look better: The 3-point defense is heading in the right direction.

Through the first 15 games, the Knicks conceded the second-highest 3-point attempt frequency in the NBA. Opponents were shooting 36.6 percent from 3, which was tied for the fifth-highest conversion rate in the league. So, New York was allowing teams to shoot a lot of 3s and make them at a good clip. Over the last 14 games, New York has completely flipped the script. The Knicks’ defense is allowing the second-lowest 3-point attempt frequency, and opponents are only converting on 34.8 percent of those shots, the second lowest mark in the NBA during that span.

That’s very encouraging for Knicks fans.

The Knicks have also generated more turnovers lately. New York ranks 28th in steals per game (6.8) through the first half of the season. Over the last 14 games, the Knicks are averaging 8.4 steals per game, which ranks 14th. Steals lead to easier offense. OG Anunoby has been terrific in this regard.

What are the main ways opponents have defended Karl-Anthony Towns, and which have worked the best? — @NateDuncanNBA

There haven’t been a lot of answers this season for Towns, who is having a career season and is a top-seven MVP candidate so far. However, there have been some answers, and it surprises me when other teams don’t try to implement them in their own way.

Some teams have successfully forced Towns into stagnant isolations, either by switching one through five with a strong, athletic wing or guard, or by starting the game with one of those players defending Towns. The likes of Houston’s Dillon Brooks or Boston’s Jrue Holiday have been best at holding their own against Towns. While not every team has a Brooks or Holiday, it’s better than the alternative: Defending Towns with a slow-footed big.

At times this season, defending Towns with smaller players has invited the Knicks into playing slower. It’s also baited Towns to play more inside than outside, where he is more dangerous. As great as Towns has been this season, he’s having his worst shooting season at the rim in his career.

Putting athletic wings or forwards on or around Towns has led to stumbles here and there. He’s not the highest leaper, so wings are able to get above him to contest his shot. Also, when Towns faces up from near the top of the key, having off-ball defenders dig and suffocate the space of his drive from the opposite side has led to some stumbles.

Ultimately, Towns has been as good as any player in the league offensively this season. There isn’t a lot most teams can do to slow him down. However, there are teams out there with the types of players capable of making him look mortal.

Do you see the Knicks keeping both Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa past the trade deadline or is it redundant and one is probably gonna be shipped off? — @Dav1dChabot

This is hard to answer because we have no clue when Robinson will come back and what he’ll look like. All signs are pointing to Robinson being out until late January at the earliest. The trade deadline is Feb. 6. I have a hard time believing many teams will be lining up to trade for the oft-injured center, who has another year on his contract after this one at slightly more than $12 million, without seeing him play. Foot injuries and big men aren’t a great combination.

With all that said, Robinson, when (and if) healthy, is exactly the type of player this Knicks’ roster could use.

I think the Knicks will scour the trade market for a big man. Even if Robinson returns, can the organization trust him to be available throughout these 1 1/2 critical years for the franchise? I don’t think so. Combining the money of Robinson and Achiuwa at this deadline, which would be about $20 million in salary, is more than enough for New York to bring back a big who could help bolster the current group.

I keep going back to the Detroit Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart as a perfect fit for this roster. Stewart has been one of the league’s best rim protectors this season. He should be mentioned in conversations, even if only briefly, for Defensive Player of the Year when you factor in his defensive impact at the rim, ability to guard in space and Detroit’s numbers when he’s on the floor vs. off. Furthermore, Stewart is only 23 years old and just started a four-year contract this season. In adding him, New York would address a need in the short term while having a young, proven player who can grow with this team in the future.

Stewart would fit in tremendously as Towns’ backup or if Tom Thibodeau wanted to play the two together. Stewart can defend fours or fives. Offensively, he shot more than 38 percent from 3 last season playing primarily as the four. In adding Stewart, Towns could still play the five on offense while Stewart can help defend fives on defense.

Once again, though, the hiccup in adding someone like Stewart is Robinson’s health. Rival teams may want significant draft capital in any deal involving Robinson because of the uncertainty with his foot. New York’s remaining draft picks have to be treated with care and used on someone the front office is sure will move the needle. If they haven’t already, Leon Rose and Co. will have to decide where to draw that line for the franchise.

Which of these do you think is the current roster’s biggest need: 1) Genuine backup center with size and defensive chops, who could at times play with KAT? 2) One more wing to avoid overusing Mikal Bridges/OG Anunoby/Josh Hart? 3) Backup PF with size whom teams won’t ignore on the perimeter? — @sepinwall.bsky.social‬

I lean more toward Nos. 1 and 3. There are ways to stagger Bridges, Anunoby and Hart so that no one feels, in your words, overused. Also, Landry Shamet will eventually factor into the wing rotation, I believe. Thibodeau has spoken highly of him since training camp. My gut tells me we’ll see more of Shamet as he gets settled back into New York after his shoulder injury.

As I mentioned above, elite rim protection is missing from this roster with Robinson sidelined. Jericho Sims has had really good moments this season defending the rim, but Thibodeau clearly doesn’t feel comfortable making him a rotation staple. Achiuwa, too, has done some things as a rim protector here and there but I’m not sure he’s the long-term answer to fill the shotblocking void left by Robinson’s absence.

All of this is why I keep going back to Stewart as a great fit for New York. He defends at a very high level, wants to be known as a lockdown defender, can make open 3s and is low maintenance on offense.

If the Knicks do make a significant move between now and the trade deadline, the frontcourt is the area I think they’re most likely to address.

(Photo of Mitchell Robinson: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)