Leon Rose quietly made Knicks better with shrewd deadline moves

The Knicks were more of a passive participant at the trade deadline, but the smoke cleared without a change to the following: 

They are favorites, along with the Pistons, to get to the NBA Finals. James Dolan’s mandate remains in place and realistic. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo sticking with Milwaukee created a stationary vibe around the East, with Cleveland’s somewhat offsetting swap of Darius Garland for James Harden as the headline. I understand the Garland-Donovan Mitchell pairing probably ran its course. I don’t understand how acquiring a 36-year-old Harden made them better in the playoffs. 

Jose Alvarado gives the Knicks a bonafide backup point guard, The Post’s Stephan Bondy writes. NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics got Nikola Vucevic, but not much changed on their front — it’s still all about when, or if, Jayson Tatum returns.