Raptors All-Star Kyle Lowry thought he was headed to the Knicks in a December 2013 trade, writes Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. The proposed deal, which would have solved New York’s ongoing problem at point guard, would have sent Lowry from Toronto to the Knicks in exchange for Metta World Peace, Iman Shumpert and a future first-round draft pick. “That deal was done,” said Lowry, but it was reportedly stopped by New York owner James Dolan, who was hesitant to make another trade with Toronto GM Masai Ujiri so soon after sending several assets to Ujiri in Denver in exchange for Carmelo Anthony. Toronto was willing to move Lowry at the time because the front office wasn’t sure it could keep him in free agency. Lowry is currently in the second season of a four-year, $48MM deal he signed in the summer of 2014. “At the end of the day, the decision was made for me to be here and it worked out equally, perfectly for both parties,” Lowry said.
There’s more out of New York:
- Kobe Bryant understands the circumstances that got Derek Fisher, his former teammate, fired as coach of the Knicks, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Fisher was dismissed Monday with New York mired in a 1-9 slump. Bryant also has connections to Knicks president Phil Jackson and interim coach Kurt Rambis, who both used to be part of the coaching staff in L.A. “They felt they needed a change so they made a change. It’s pretty black and white to me,” Bryant said. “Derek’s like a brother, always has been. But still it’s hard to be a coach somewhere and last your entire career there. He’s had a good run there and now it’s time for a change.”
- Rookie Kristaps Porzingis believes Fisher was let go to send a message to the team, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Porzingis said players occasionally lost focus and something had to change to make a late-season playoff run. He doesn’t question the decision to give Rambis a shot at turning things around. “They know what they’re doing,’’ he said of Knicks management. “They have a lot of experience. I’m nobody to judge their decisions. I felt guilty for that happening.”
Well, as a Knicks fan, i’m glad it didn’t happen.
It wouldn’t have been that bad of a deal for NY. That 2018 pick is nice, but Lowry is arguably the best PG in the East. Now, there is a case to be made that the Knicks wouldn’t have been as bad last season, thus not getting Kristaps. That would have been the real downside of making that deal.
I just can’t stand him. His attitude sucks and he complains about every single call.
I just can’t stand him, his attitude sucks and he complains about every single call against him. I wish the Knicks could get Teague or Jennings.
Ujiri last deal to the knicks was bargnani nkt Melo.
Bargain yapped after this proposal so Toronto kept Lowery and still got the pick. Gotta live the Knicks :(
Could Kobe coach the Knicks. Lol at least worth a phone call from phil
Example 209,034,234,324,039 why Dolan is one of the worst owners on professional sports. As long as Dolan owns the Knicks, they have have no shot at a championship.