Media Day Wrap-Up

Let's pluck out a few notable quotes and discuss what we learned today...

Well, that was awkward.

The Knicks blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns has dominated NBA-related conversations over the past few days. Yet, because the deal has not yet been finalized, the players involved in the swap were not at Media Day Monday, and coach Tom Thibodeau was prohibited from discussing the pending transaction.

It was almost as if the Knicks hosted a Baby Shower, yet nobody was allowed to talk about the baby. 

While the KAT talk was limited, there were still plenty of interesting comments from Thibs and the players present at the Knicks practice facility in Westchester. 

So, let's pluck out a few notable quotes and discuss what we learned today, shall we… 

🏀 JB Good to Go
Thibs provided some good news right off the bat Monday morning, confirming that Jalen Brunson (who broke his left hand in Game 7 against Indiana and underwent surgery shortly after) has fully recovered and been medically cleared. Brunson is ready to rock and will have no restrictions when the team begins training camp on Tuesday.

Brunson told reporters he's been cleared for "a couple of weeks now."

Thibodeau also said that OG Anunoby (who was dealing with a left hamstring strain the last time we saw him) is fully healthy for training camp.

🏀 Mum on Mitchell 
Unfortunately, the head coach did not provide an encouraging update or any concrete details on the status of injured center Mitchell Robinson, who reportedly is expected to miss at least three months as he recovers from left ankle surgery.

"There's no real timeframe for (Robinson's return) other than we want to make sure he's completely healthy before we move forward," Thibodeau said. "So, as we get more information down the road -- but we're going to be patient and take our time with it.

"When he's ready to go, he's ready to go. He's doing well, I can tell you that, from what he's doing right now. So, again, we're just going to go step by step with that."

🏀 "The NBA is always a business”
When asked about potentially teaming up with Towns, Brunson joked, "Who's Karl?" 

However, JB did acknowledge that hearing New York is parting ways with Randle and his good friend Donte DiVincenzo was sobering.

"That was definitely tough," Brunson said. "Thankful that Julius welcomed me with open arms here. That news, it was crazy. I'm really thankful for them and their friendships and everything and what they brought to this team. Really thankful I got to get a relationship with Julius. The memories we made together were really fun."

As for DiVincenzo: "Donte, he was a groomsman in my wedding. That should tell you everything you need to know about our relationship. Love him to death."

When asked if he was consulted on the trade, Brunson replied, "I don't deal with anything front office-wise...Maybe in the future down the line. But that's not my role."

"It's tough, but growing up with a dad [Rick] that played in eight different cities, you quickly know that it's a business," Brunson added. "It's not fun at all. I wish them nothing but the best."