J.R. Smith, who spent three and half seasons with New York, can’t envision LeBron James ever joining the Knicks.
“Nah, don’t think so. Can’t see it [happening],” Smith said of LBJ playing home games in Madison Square Garden (via Peter Botte of The New York Daily News). “But that’s cool, though, man. A lot of cities have tried that already with [a billboard]. But we’ll see what happens.”
James can become a free agent this offseason and he’s seen several billboards recruiting him to cities that Cavs are visiting, including one reading “King of New York? Prove it.” that was put up last week in the Big Apple.
Dwyane Wade was also recently asked about LBJ’s chances of coming to the Knicks, responding simply with “good luck.”
Here’s more from New York:
- Jarrett Jack deserves credit for showcasing professionalism with the Knicks and being a mentor to the team’s younger players, Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes. The veteran has been helping the team’s stable of young point guards while trying to refrain from being overbearing. “If somebody kept the training wheels on your bike the whole time you would never know what it’s like when they take them off,” Jack said. “Sometimes you got to let them balance on their own, push them down the hill a little bit and see what happens.”
- Tim Hardaway Jr.‘s contract has been a topic of debate since his four-year, $72MM deal last summer. However, he’s had a solid season and one anonymous scout tells Fred Kerber of the New York Post that he doesn’t believe the financials are hindering the Knicks. “Forget the name,” the scout said. “If I said you could sign a young, athletic wing who averaged 15 points on a playoff team [Atlanta], would you?”
- As we relayed earlier today, current Knicks point guard Trey Burke finished third in voting for the G League’s 2017/18 MVP award.
gotta love Knicks notes. went from weekly to daily.
If it was the Knicks with Ewing, Houston, LJ, Starks and oak then yeah.
Look, I don’t think Hardaway is harming the Knicks with his deal, but a .317 3PT PCT ain’t helping them either.
No way does LBJ sign with the Knicks, nor do I particularly want him. Stay the rebuilding course another year, get two more young promising players and look at 2019-20 as the year the team organically grows into a playoff team.
What I do know Frank Ntilikina and Kristaps Porzingis should be the only untouchables on the roster. It’s simple just give Tim another year and see how it goes, I’m not a fan of bringing back Kanter what so ever though.
Kanter of Noah?!
I’d go Kanter every day of the week.
over*
Kerber is a moron – maybe he should look into things like shooting percentage, consistency, passing and (oh yeah) defense. He’s grades out as one of the worst starting wings in the league. THJ was a backup for almost all his time in Atl (and the Knicks prior to that), and that’s the best use of him. He’s streaky, and when on, he’s an offensive force that you can ride. But, as a starter, he’s overexposed. Starter minutes every night? It is what it is. Volume shooting, very little ball movement freezing out higher percentage options and uneven (at best) defense. I don’t think we could trade him (without giving up something good to dump him), but if Kerber is right, then we can and should. Mills is vested in this, so we likely won’t.
Zinger seems to like Hardaway out there so that about seals it for his value. THJ is a keeper.