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While the 2023-24 NBA season is barely a week old, that hasn’t stopped TNT analyst Charles Barkley from advocating the New York Knicks make a significant roster move.

“I think the Knicks need to do something… You see how this movie’s gonna end… ‘We play hard. We’re solid.’ But they’re not contenders… This team here is not gonna win anything… You can’t be mediocre and stick with that,” Barkley said on Inside the NBA Tuesday evening.

It’s not hard to see where Barkley is coming from. Looking across the Eastern Conference alone, the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat all have more offensive firepower than the Knicks.

Barkley suggested the Knicks try and trade for Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns. New York has reportedly been interested in Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell for years, and he could also be a genuine difference-maker for the Knicks.

A problem with teams coached by Tom Thibodeau dating back to his first head coaching job with the Chicago Bulls is the teams rely on playing tough, hard-nosed defense and often lack a go-to scorer in crunch time, which appears to be the case for the Knicks, as well.

The Knicks certainly looked to have more than enough Tuesday night against the Cavs, however, cruising to a 109-91 victory at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse over the team they defeated in last season’s Eastern Conference First Round.

Barkley’s comments caused a stir on social media.

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