Karl-Anthony Cities as soon as gushed concerning the likelihood to play for the Knicks.
He’ll quickly stay that actuality.
Cities, whom the Knicks are buying in blockbuster deal from the Timberwolves, spoke with The Publish’s Steve Serby for a Q&A earlier than the NBA draft lottery in 2015.
Cities — who grew up in Piscataway, N.J. — was extensively anticipated to be the No. 1 decide within the draft after starring at Kentucky for one season.
And the Knicks had the second-best odds of touchdown the highest decide.
Cities mentioned he dreamt of taking part in for his hometown staff.
“It will be an honor, not solely as a participant, however as a Knicks fan, to have the ability to play for that group,” Cities mentioned on the time. “It’s gonna be, I suppose a childhood dream — rooting for the Knicks all this time, and the subsequent factor you understand, you hear a corporation name your identify to go on the market and provides it your finest shot. I believe it could be very cool, and actually very honored and blessed to have the ability to play for them.”
The Knicks infamously fell to the No. 4 decide and drafted Kristaps Porzingis, lacking out on Cities — who went to the Timberwolves.
Cities, 28, spent 9 seasons with the Timberwolves earlier than Friday’s gorgeous information.
The Knicks are sending Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, DaQuan Jeffries and a lottery-protected, first-round decide from the Pistons to the Timberwolves as a part of the deal, The Publish’s Stefan Bondy confirmed.
On the time, Cities felt ready to be be considered as a “savior.”
“You realize what? I suppose it comes with the territory,” Cities mentioned. “It comes with the territory. We gotta be prepared to take that stress head-on, and I really feel I’m prepared for that. If that must be my function — I don’t suppose that’s gonna be my function, I believe I might simply be a assist to my teammates.
“I’m gonna attempt to work very laborious to present them the perfect likelihood to win, but it surely’s not as a savior, you may’t do all of it by your self. That’s why nobody is greater than no person else. Everybody’s serving to one another to get to at least one widespread purpose, and that’s to win a championship and win video games.”
Cities additionally revealed his favourite elements of New York Metropolis.
“I just like the surroundings,” Cities mentioned. “Instances Sq. is superior. With the ability to stroll round, I like going to New York, have some pizza. Once I was youthful, I performed in Rucker Park as soon as, it was superior.
“There’s a lot historical past behind New York, and a lot historical past that it takes folks lifetimes to comprehend all of it.”
