Although the Knicks are currently carrying 16 players on NBA contracts, the team hasn’t closed the door on the possibility of signing another free agent before training camp gets underway. As Ian Begley of ESPN.com details, members of the Knicks organization have been in contact regarding free agent big man Willie Reed this month.
Begley cautions that it’s not clear whether the Knicks had – or still have – “serious” interest in Reed, so it’s possible that nothing will come of the club’s inquiries. If New York does sign Reed or another free agent though, the team would eventually have to trade or waive at least two players currently under contract. Joakim Noah, Ron Baker, and Troy Williams could be at risk in a potential roster crunch.
Here are a few more notes and rumors on free agency:
- While it’s possible that Marcus Smart‘s free agency could be resolved soon, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald suggests it could drag on for a while. One source tells Bulpett that if nothing gets done this week, Smart and the Celtics could “take a break” and revisit things a little later. According to Bulpett, the C’s would like to lock up Smart to a multiyear deal, but long-term security seems less important to the 24-year-old than “getting what he thinks is fair.”
- A source close to Smart tells Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) that the veteran guard has been “unresponsive” to the Celtics‘ efforts to reach out because he’s “insulted” by a perceived lack of respect from team management.
- Rodney Stuckey, who is looking to get back into the NBA after sitting out the 2017/18 season, is hosting a private workout on Thursday in Las Vegas, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, who tweets that several NBA teams will be in attendance. A February report indicated that Stuckey hoped to play two or three more NBA seasons.
- Explaining the Lakers‘ approach to free agency after landing LeBron James, general manager Rob Pelinka said the front office didn’t target three-point marksmen in free agency because they feel like they already have several solid outside shooters, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. The Lakers wanted to add more multi-dimensional players to try to combat a team like the Warriors, according to Pelinka: “We did not want to go out and just sign specialists, ‘Oh this guy can just shoot.’ We wanted tough two-way players that can defend with a level of toughness and also make shots.”
Pelinka shouldn’t have to address stupid people by giving that obvious answer
Totally agree with you formerlyz. Also I think this is the way to go, you cannot have a team full of shooters & that is all, you need to have defenders, specially playmakers, shooters, tough guys, high energy guys, vets… you need the full package, & make no mistake Lakers have got it, if not for GSW I am sure they would easily win the title this year, but will see, I am also sure that there are more moves to come from Lakers, maybe another center, maybe a Kawhi to ride LBJ tailcoat… who knows but just sure is more to come from this Lakers, can’t wait to see them playing next season, sooo exciting The King in LA, sooo many years waiting for something like that to happen, always like when superstars come to town, just like when Shaq did. Go Lakers.
The Lakers will struggle to secure a top6 seed… LBJ has never moved well without the ball in his hands. For him to be effective, he needs the ball 95% of the time. All these 3rd and 4th tier playmakers won’t make a difference if James has the ball in his hands 95% of the time.
There is no way the lakers as constructed are the 2nd best team in the West. Even with Kawhi…. It’s not a given they are number 2
I really like Marcus Smart as a player, Brad Stevens always has him on the floor at critical points of the game. His defense and tenacity are terrific. But the guy has to get over himself. This whole disrespect thing, if true, is tiring.
Agree and I think teams are going to be hesitant to give big money to Smart when much more talented players like IT & Evan Turner didn’t have as much success after they left the Celts and Brad Steven’s system.
Well while I agree, he does need to grow up a little, Ainge does seem a little rude to the players based off of this and IT. And he has done amazing things for that franchise. But he has to be careful or it’ll hurt him. Look at what is happening with Kawhi and the spurs after pop’s comments. And George Karl’s legacy became tampered after cousins. Just saying Ainge needs to be more careful on how he manages the players, a lot who are egotistical players.
Ainge already offered Smart 4-yrs/$44 mill but he turned it down last fall and then Smart had a less than stellar showing last season both shooting-wise and off the court, so I think the Celts are just sitting back and letting Smart and his inexperienced agent spin their wheels.
Smart can be a difference maker-under the right conditions. But he’s overvalued himself. And his stubborn self-confidence is further proof clubs should handle him with care. There’s no need to be butt-hurt. The fact is Ainge is allowing the market to dictate the next move. Smart doesn’t like what the market is saying. Marcus, sign your QO, play with a chip on your shoulder and then leave for more money as an UFA. (On some nowhere team where you become relegated to overplayed bench material.) Full disclosure: I love Smart but we’ve seen this movie before.
About that admission that Ainge HAS been in contact with Smart. On that twitter link, scroll down a bit, who are those guys messing around? Ainge and Smart?
Why would Smart lie about noncontact. Got @cesc all riled up!
Much as he would like to, Smart cannot with his stories make those darn execs fork it over if they don’t want to.