Since the All-Star break, Knicks point guard Jarrett Jack has seen his role effectively eliminated. Eligible for unrestricted free agency at season’s end, Jack probably isn’t part of New York’s future plans, so the team’s youth movement may prompt him to consider asking to be released, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News.
“I’ve never done it before to jump from one team in the middle of the season to a playoff squad. I know that’s what other guys have done. To be honest, I don’t really know,” Jack said. “Maybe I do need to sit down and look at a list of what my best possible options are. But as of today I’m with the Knicks and want to help in any capacity I can.“
Jack, who started 56 of the Knicks’ first 59 games at point guard, held his own during that stretch, averaging 7.6 PPG, 5.8 APG, and 3.1 RPG in 25.9 minutes per contest. However, the lottery-bound Knicks want to get Emmanuel Mudiay, Frank Ntilikina, and Trey Burke more playing time down the stretch, leaving no minutes for the veteran — Jack hasn’t played at all since the All-Star break, though he doesn’t seem upset with the team about its decision.
“Obviously I’d like to be on the court, but I think they’re allowing some of these younger guys to get some opportunities to show where they’re at amongst the other guys in this league and it’s coach’s decision,” Jack said. “We were in Orlando (for a game last week) and he said we’ll move in that direction. It’s not for me to have an opinion on it.”
While Jack is saying the right things, his comment about sitting down and considering his options suggests that he wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to being cut by the Knicks within the next three days. As long as he’s waived on or before March 1, he would retain his postseason eligibility for a new team, which is why I identified him on Monday as a candidate to be cut this week.
Jack sounds unlikely to force his way onto a new team, or to cause problems if he remains a Knick through Thursday, but if his agent lines up another opportunity for him, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 34-year-old released in the coming days.