The dynamic has changed for Josh Hart. Last season following a barrage of Knicks injuries, Hart was thrust into greater offensive responsibilities. He initiated the offense. He had the ball. He regularly recorded triple-doubles.

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart christened Karl-Anthony Towns with a new nickname after the big man made his Knicks debut in Sunday's 111-109 preseason

Hart gave a glimpse of what he can do when confident. He connected on 43.5% of his three-pointers in the Knicks' first-round matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. And he was far less shy in that series than in the regular season, shooting an astonishing 6.2 three-pointers per game.

Hart’s reaction to the deal would be particular notable, since his close friend — and former Villanova teammate — Donte DiVincenzo was part of the deal, along with Julius Randle, DaQuan Jeffries and a lottery-protected first-round pick from the Pistons.

Hart called Towns the "Big Bodega." Due to Towns' initials, the nickname derives from a play on words. A popular internet video shows a cat in a bodega. Perhaps Hart could have called Towns "Bodega KAT," but maybe that's a little too on the nose.

The trades that brought Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges to New York cost the franchise Julius Randle, the star scorer acquired as a free agent in 2019 before three All-Star appearances; DiVincenzo,

New teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart of the New York Knicks took some time between their preseason games to watch Aaron Judge and the Yankees

Not even two weeks have passed since Karl-Anthony Towns became a member of the New York Knicks following the blockbuster trade that ended his nine-year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves in a flash,

The New York Knicks now have the firepower to be one of the best offenses in the NBA. With Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks have three players capable of spreading the floor,