The Knicks roster is basically set heading into training camp, but the team may look at making one more significant move before the summer is over. According to Frank Isola at the NY Daily News, the Knicks have "expressed interest" in a deal for Clippers guard Jamal Crawford. The Knicks have also reportedly come up in trade rumors regarding Ricky Rubio with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Isola writes that if the Knicks pulled off a deal, the most likely player to move is Jose Calderon.
Isola writes that the Miami Heat have also been mentioned as a landing spot for Crawford, but the team is not actively looking for a deal. Crawford is a bench scorer and his role in LA has been diminished with all the moves the Clippers have made this season. The Clippers traded for Lance Stephenson and signed Josh Smith, Pablo Prigioni, Wesley Johnson and Paul Pierce and that leaves Crawford without a clear role for the team. The Clippers reportedly do not want to just give away Crawford for nothing and that means they at push to get a contributing player back in return. The Clippers are in win-now mode and a deal with Calderon could be a fit from the Knicks. Pro Basketball Talk writes that the Clippers have serviceable depth behind Chris Paul with Austin Rivers and Pablo Prigioni, but those are not great options and even at his age, Calderon could be an upgrade in a reserve role. Pro Basketball Talk reported last week that Calderon hinted on social media that the Clippers and Wolves could be interested in the point guard. That talk came amid some other trade rumors, with Gigantes reporting that the Knicks are "looking for an upgrade" at point guard and could try and trade for Rubio with the Wolves. The Wolves just signed Andre Miller and they have drafted Zach LaVine and Tyus Jones over the last couple years. Calderon is older than Rubio, but he is signed only into the season after this one, while Rubio is locked in until 2019. Rubio has always had potential, but he so far has not been able to put together for the Wolves and the team may look at trading some future money to clear space sooner if they feel Rubio will not be part of the long term plan. http://www.sportsworldreport.com/articles/59561/20150830/ny-knicks-rumors-jose-calderon-trade-not-close-ricky-rubio-jamal-crawford-targets-kristaps-porzingis-impresses-carmelo-anthony.htm
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For Knicks fans anticipating the best possible draft lottery news on Tuesday night simply because they believe it is in the N.B.A.’s best interests to deliver it, here is David Stern to rain on your 19.9 percent parade.
Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns are both pivotal to theNew York Knicks' big picture, even if their big picture doesn't include either draft prospect.
Ping-pong balls will determine part of the Knicks' forthcoming course at the NBA draft lottery May 19. They have a 19.9 percent chance of landing the first overall pick after finishing with a bottom-two record record for the regular season and will fall no lower than fifth on the selection scale. In the event math prevails, the Knicks will end up picking second, guaranteeing them a shot at Okafor or Towns, the two highest-rated players in this year's collegiate class. But while the Knicks could wind up at the mercy of whomever is left, their odds of leapfrogging theMinnesota Timberwolves and having run of the draft board remains significant enough to actuate debate. It's a deliberation process that won't know a definitive end until the June 25 draft itself. In the meantime, though, the discussion rages on: Which prospect, Okafor or Towns, is the better fit for New York? End the debate now. Well, not really. But the Knicks do apparently prefer Towns to Okafor. Sources told ESPN.com's Chad Ford the Knicks have Towns sitting atop their draft board, according to ESPN New York's Ian Begley. And it seems Towns is at least partially reciprocating that infatuation. As he told the New York Post's Marc Berman: "If I have the opportunity to ever play for the Knicks, that’s what I would love to do.’’ Team president Phil Jackson's emphasis on establishing a defensive identity validates the mutual interest between Towns and the Knicks even further. “That’s the area we want to get good at,’’ he explained to reporters, perBerman. “The reason why I mentioned that bigs are our priority in the draft is because the defense has to be anchored by stopping the ball and having an intimidating force in the lane.” Towns is the superior shot-blocker by far, and though the Knicks were one of the better teams at protecting the restricted area during the regular season, their standing is muddled by an inexpert three-point defense that invited opposing offenses to shoot uncontested deep balls. Inserting the 6'11" Towns at power forward or center instantly gives New York the shot-blocking presence it hasn't enjoyed since before the Tyson Chandler trade. The 19-year-old sent back 2.3 shots in just over 21 minutes per game at Kentucky, blocking 11.5 percent of all attempts when on the floor. He excels as a traditional paint-policer when stalking the rim, deterring dribble drives and disrupting all ball-handlers that are funneled his way. But he has a knack for defending more than one player on a single possession. He's smart enough to collapse on determined drivers, yet quick enough to rotate over off passes to the man he left behind. Who cares. Either way, the Knicks will get a great player. Marc Gasol is one of the best players who will technically be available to sign elsewhere this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Like the other names mentioned, though, it’s more than likely Gasol remains where he is — due to the combination of the money he can receive, along with the fact that he’s playing in a winning situation. Gasol at one point said he'd listen to everybody's offers once free agency begins, but a few weeks ago, a report surfaced that said he'd already ruled out playing for the Knicks. With the Grizzlies in town to beat up on New York, Gasol (predictably) was asked about it. From Ian Begley of New York: “I haven’t ruled anything out because I haven’t thought about anything so it would be [premature],” Gasol told a small group of reporters after the Grizzlies’ morning practice at Madison Square Garden. “The reports and stuff like that, I don’t know where they come from because in my mind I haven’t thought about it. I have no [idea] how they can go there. I don’t know. … We’re in the final stretch of the regular season and we want to get in a good feeling for the playoffs so, trust me, I’m not worrying or thinking about those things yet.” … If he re-signs with the Grizzlies, Gasol can ink a max contract that starts at around $18 million in the first season with 7.5 percent raises in each season thereafter. If he signed with the Knicks or any other club, his max contract would be for four years starting at around $18 million in the first season with annual raises of 4.5 percent. … “I know what [the Knicks] are trying to accomplish as a team, but like I said we’re trying to accomplish the same thing in Memphis and we’re trying to get to have a chance to go for a ring,” Gasol said. “I see this [Knicks] team being in the same spot we were six or seven years ago when we were winning 20 games and we were trying to create something for the future.” That last part is the biggest reason why Gasol is unlikely to join the Knicks. There’s simply no logic in believing he’d be willing to start over completely from scratch, in a new situation, with an unproven head coach, all for less money. But of course, the rumors will continue to fly, just as they always do. http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/24/marc-gasol-says-he-hasnt-ruled-out-joining-knicks-as-a-free-agent/ Power forward Jason Smith hopes to be back with the Knicks next season, but he may be playing well enough to price himself out of Phil Jackson’s budget.
Smith, who signed a one-year deal for the mini-midlevel exception ($3.3 million), had only one thing to prove this season — staying healthy. He’s the only Knick to have played all 62 games, after his last two seasons with New Orleans were wrecked by knee surgeries. Smith has elevated his play noticeably since Jan. 1. The former Colorado State star, who grew up an hour from Pepsi Arena, is moving better on defense and hits the mid-range jumper in Jackson’s triangle. “I love New York,’’ Smith said before the Knicks were dominated by the Nuggets, 106-78, on Monday. “I like the triangle offense. I wouldn’t have a problem coming back to New York. I think it’s a great market, great basketball organization. Phil’s got the team moving in the right direction. It’s tough to say that now because he’s trying to change the culture.’’ Smith, who scored eight points on 3-of-7 shooting, played 31 games last season because of a torn cartilage and 51 in 2012-13. “Because that’s all they gave me,’’ Smith said when asked why he signed short term. “One-year deal, a lot of people had injury concerns because of the last two years.’’ “It wasn’t anything of the same sort, like chronic back pain. It was two random injuries, so it was a matter of proving to people I could stay healthy and could endure a long NBA season. I think I’ve done that this season very well. I’ve been at every practice, every game. I hope to continue to do that until the season’s end.’’ http://nypost.com/2015/03/10/jason-smiths-proving-doubters-wrong-may-cost-knicks/ The Knicks are currently on pace to have the worst record in the NBA. This would give them a 25 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick in this June’s draft, and guarantee them at least a top-four pick. This is about the most valuable piece a team can have when they’re rebuilding, especially when there are several potentially game-changing players in the draft. But according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Knicks president Phil Jackson has at least explored his options with trading the pick.
From ESPN.com’s Ian Begley: "In an interview on ESPN New York’s “The Robin Lundberg Show,” ESPN NBA reporter Brian Windhorst said the Knicks are at the very least considering their options when it comes to trading their first-round pick. Specifically, Windhorst said the Knicks are looking into “opportunities” to see “what they could possibly get if they trade their draft pick.” Of course, it’s wise for Phil Jackson and the Knicks to at least gauge the market for the pick. The trade market for their selection won’t really materialize until New York finds out where it picks. That will happen in late May after the NBA’s draft lottery. Then, New York will have a clearer idea of what it can get back in a trade of the pick. Due to NBA rules, the Knicks can’t trade the pick prior to making a selection, but they can agree to select a player for a team and then trade the player after making the pick. So, in theory, the Knicks can acquire an impactful player by trading their draft pick. They can then use their cap space, which is expected to be at least $25 million, to sign a premier free agent." A pick as good as the one the Knicks are slated to have would command a high price in return—not just an impact player, but a star. A DeMarcus Cousins, say. Not that Cousins will be available, but that’s the level of player the Knicks would need to be getting to make it worth their while to trade the pick. For a team with such little young talent next to the 30-year-old Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks need a future centerpiece, and getting the likes of Jalhil Okafor or Karl Towns in the draft is the best way to accomplish that. It’s smart for the Knicks to at least weigh their options with trading the pick, just in case someone blows them away with an offer. But it’s highly unlikely anyone offers a player that will be worth their while to move. From http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/08/report-knicks-open-to-trading-their-first-round-pick/ J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert came back, saw and conquered. There had been an avalanche of highlight moments for LeBron James’ Cavaliers through three quarters at the Garden, but none could top the one early in the fourth quarter for sheer symbolism when ex-Knicks Shumpert and Smith hooked up on a backdoor alley-oop dunk for the matinee’s highlight moment. Shumpert tossed a lob toward the rim for Smith, who caught it in midair and double-pumped for a monster reverse slam dunk that had the Garden fans roaring like they were still Knicks. Knicks rookie Cleanthony Early stood under the rim, seemingly taking a picture. “It felt great,’’ Smith said. “It felt like the first time I actually made a shot [as a Knick]. You couldn’t have written it any better.’’ The outcome wasn’t in doubt — Smith’s reverse put the Cavaliers up 30 points with 9:16 left — but the play showed actual talent once existed on this Knicks squad. No longer, as their wrecked roster was obliterated by the mighty Cavs in a 101-83 rout as the club fell to 0-14 without Carmelo Anthony, who is out for the season. After the dunking spectacle, Smith ran toward the Cavs sidelines and jumped into James’ arms. King James was already done of the day. “That was beautiful, that was special,’’ said James, who was magical in the first half and finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 28 minutes. “I wasn’t planning on … getting up too many times. I was starting my treatment session, but that was special.’’ In their Garden returns, Smith pumped in 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 29 minutes while Shumpert registered seven assists, five rebounds and four points in 30 minutes. “Both of us feel rejuvenated,’’ Shumpert said. Shumpert, who wore a bright red suit with matching shoes after the triumph, is relishing being more of a distributor in Cleveland. “Honestly that wasn’t the play,’’ Shumpert said. “They kind of cheated and cut him off, so he went backdoor. It’s just playing basketball. It was fun though.’’ On the Knicks’ second possession, James sneaked into the passing lane to intercept a Jose Calderon pass at halfcourt, drove in all alone for an easy dunk and 2-0 lead. You could have stopped paying attention from there. The Cavs had 20 points after six minutes, took a 29-point late in the second quarter and cruised. Led by Langston Galloway’s 13 points, the Knicks dropped their seventh straight to fall to 10-45 while the Cavaliers, juiced by the additions of Smith and Shumpert, won their 16th game in 18 contests. “Same thing over and over again,’’ Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. “Nothing new. We got to get better starting games. Point blank.’’ Smith received mostly cheers in pregame introductions and hit a corner 3-pointer in the opening minute. Smith shook the hand of owner James Dolan, sitting in his baseline seat, when the half ended. “I’m looking at it as a place you can always call home,’’ Smith said. “Being from New Jersey, it really is home for me. It was very emotional.’’ Smith and Shumpert were traded to Cleveland for little in return on Jan. 5. In fact, the Cavaliers used a $2.6 million trade exception to net Shumpert, the same exception Knicks then used to acquire fringe player Alexey Shved at last week’s trade deadline. Shved made his Knicks debut in the final three minutes Sunday and missed his lone shot in the final seconds. In addition, Cavs new center, ex-Knick Timofey Mozgov — the final, foolish piece included in the Carmelo Anthony trade — played well in the interior, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and a block. Playing in his favorite arena, James was dominant in the first half. Late in the first quarter, James stepped in front of a Quincy Acy pass intended for Early for a steal and a violent windmill dunk to make it 32-13. The Cavs led 36-17 after one period, making ABC's decision to yank the game look sound. On Saturday, Smith reflected on this opportunity of being a front-runner to win the title. “It means the world to me,’’ Smith said. “This is why I play. I play to win and be on a team that has a possible chance to win the championship. It’s the best situation for me and to play a lot of minutes and have a lot of impact on this team, it’s one of the best situation to ask for.’’ From http://nypost.com/2015/02/22/j-r-smith-and-shumpert-put-on-show-in-dominating-knicks/ It's a good thing that the ailing Knicks ended up not trading for the coveted Phoenix point guard Goran Dragic. Dragic, averaging 16.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, and 4 apg wanted out of Phoenix and he made that clear. He stated that he ONLY wanted to be traded to New York, Los Angles, or Miami, and that he would resign ONLY with one of the teams. This made many other teams uncomfortable to trade for Goran. The Knicks, not having many assets to offer the Suns, ended up offering a small deal which ended up not going through. He was then traded to the Miami Heat, where he is expected to resign this summer. His agent has suggested he is requesting a four year $80 Million dollar deal, something Phil Jackson would consider but most likely decline. Now with Dragic out of the picture for the Knicks, what's next? Who else is on Phil's plan for the summer? Here are some potential targets over the offseason: (unrestricted) Marc Gasol (restricted) Reggie Jackson (unrestricted) Goran Dragic (unrestricted) Lamarcus Aldrige (unrestricted) Rudy Gay (restricted) Patrick Beverly (unrestricted) Roy Hibbert If the Knicks end up getting the first overall pick and taking Okafor, who would they consider picking up in the offseason? Feel free to leave comments below. ~MC |