Knicks legend 'was flabbergasted' by trade with Timberwolves

The Knicks are currently third in NBA title odds , per ESPN Bet, after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves in early October. As with any blockbuster trade, they had to give up valuable assets, such as Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

While many have argued the Knicks improved the roster with the transaction, the jury is still out on which team truly won the trade.

One Knicks legend is "optimistic" about the team's chances to end the 51-year wait for an NBA title but remains a little salty that they had to give up Randle, who averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists in his five-year stint in New York.

"I like Randle. I thought he would come back with a vengeance (from injury). He had a lot to prove," Walt Frazier told "Run It Back" on FanDuel TV. "Like KAT said, I was flabbergasted by the trade. But since he's there, (we got) a guy who could open up the court, which should help (Jalen) Brunson. Our bench is a question mark right now. We lost (DiVincenzo), I hated losing DiVo — one of the better three-point shooters."

Frazier urged Cameron Payne and Miles McBride to "step up" and make a difference off the bench. He sounded worried about the early season injuries, such as to Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson, but felt that a healthy Knicks squad could beat any team in the team.

"Overall, I'm very optimistic and hopeful that the Knicks can get back to our former grandeur and win another championship," Frazier said while flashing one of his two rings.

The Hall of Famer played a key role in New York's two NBA title victories in 1970 and 1973.

The new-look Knicks are 1-1 to start the season. After dropping the season opener to the Celtics, they blew out the Pacers, the team that defeated them in last year's Eastern Conference semifinals. They will next host the Cavaliers on Monday night.