Since being hired by the Knicks earlier this month, new head coach David Fizdale has talked repeatedly about making it a priority to connect with his new star, Kristaps Porzingis. On Thursday, Porzingis finally reciprocated some of Fizdale’s love, tweeting that he had a “great conversation” on the phone with Fizdale, and is “excited” about the hiring.
As Ian Begley writes at ESPN.com, Porzingis’ tweet isn’t a whole lot to go on, but it looks like a positive sign for the relationship between the big man and the Knicks’ new head coach. Porzingis didn’t always have the rosiest relationship with former head coach Jeff Hornacek, and skipped his exit meeting with Knicks brass – including Steve Mills – in 2017, so it’s important to get him on board with the franchise’s direction as he becomes extension-eligible for the first time this offseason.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- While it’s possible that the nation’s leading scorer, Trae Young, could still be on the board when the Knicks pick at No. 9, they should resist the urge to draft him, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who hears from sources that the club has “a genuine yen” for the Oklahoma guard.
- In addition to being linked to Young, the Knicks are also believed to have interest in Miami guard Lonnie Walker. Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype passes along a report connecting Walker to the Knicks, and confirms separately with a source that New York is “very interested” in the Hurricanes freshman.
- Three Knicks assistants who were with the team last season – Jerry Sichting, Corey Gaines, and Dave Bliss – won’t be back next season as new coach David Fizdale reshapes the staff, per Stefan Bondy and Frank Isola of The New York Daily News.
- Seton Hall’s Desi Rodriguez and Michigan’s Charles Matthews had pre-draft workouts with the Knicks, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley (Twitter links), who cites their respective Instagram accounts.
The Knicks just need to take the best player available. While they need a SF, it’s not like they’re going to compete for an Eastern conference final matchup – Philly and Boston have that locked up for the next couple of years. It’s time to take their medicine, be patient, and build a team based on talent and character. Philly did it, Knicks need to as well. With that said, if Young is the best player at that pick, then so be it.
Hard to believe the Knicks have a “yen” for Young. Then again, they (or at least Mills) had a “yen” for THJ, so who knows? Maybe all that training under Isiah has given him a soft spot for ball dominant volume shooters that struggle with almost all other elements of the game. I’ll be surprised if Sexton isn’t the first PG off the board, and Young doesn’t drop. Truth is that he’s been dropping in mock drafts (from the very top) since mid-season.
I love Sexton’s motor, but he can’t shoot. I’m thinking Orlando grabs Young at six, unless someone else slips.
Not sure where you’re getting that. He’s not a great shooter at 19, how many PGs that age are? Still, his 3 pt percentage last year was about 33.5, which btw is higher than Young’s once conference play began (meaning the last 2/3rds of the year, when he was covered by better athletes). College line is shorter, but it’s also better than the NBA 3 percentage of any of the 4 rookie PGs drafted in the top 10 last year. Also better than that of our 17.5 mm “shooting” guard.
I’m not his agent and hope he’s NOT the Knicks’ pick, but if its between him and Young (and there’s no attractive trade down scenario), I’d take him. I agree that Orlando will be looking for a PG and will evaluate the two of them. Based on their draft history, which of the two they take isn’t dispositive of who the better player will turn out to be.
Well if porter SOMEHOW slides to 9th.
#9 #37 and Mudiay
For #11 and #12
If Porter is available at #9, the Knicks should pick him, not trade down.
Miles Bridges is the player the Knicks need, immense versatility with the ability to play the 2-3-4 and defend all those positions.
The Knicks need to trade Porzingis. His value is extremely high and they need more pieces.
You are drunk.
This makes more sense than people think.
It can fall comfortably under the category of being risky, but it would be a calculated risk, depending on the haul he brings. Like protecting your bet in hold-em, pre-flop, depending on the size of the pot & your position.
Sometimes you can maneuver your way thru it, and sometimes your opponent has you beat dead to rights. Gotta try tho.
Only reason I would trade KP, is because he’s not KAT or Embid. Straight up. Hell, he’s not even on Jokic’s level. If he’s not on the same level as “clearly franchise-caliber” guys — but can bring in “clearly franchise-caliber” value, then you make that move. If you get married to names, and “excitement”, as opposed to the jersey & team, you’ll hold onto guys past their prime valuation with low on-court returns.
KP should have to show us something he can build on before we anoint him. He looks like he doesn’t have a legit plan out there. Just being abnormally tall & moderately athletic, which can work here & there. But it’s not sustainable. We saw that in December last year.
Give me a big who can space the floor like KP, plus a bit of either court vision, or footwork & throw in some athleticism — then we got something we can build on, that’s untouchable in trades.
KP doesn’t have the court vision (which is hard to develop) or footwork.