A disagreement over pre-draft strategy has resulted in an agent change for Knicks rookie Mitchell Robinson, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Robinson has signed with John Spencer, a former Knicks scout, after leaving Raymond Brothers.
Robinson was drafted at No. 36, but believed he had a chance to be taken late in the first round, which would have provided more guaranteed money. Robinson’s representatives pulled him out of the draft combine the day before it started, and he blames that decision for his slide on draft night. The Lakers were looking at him with their 25th pick and may have taken him at No. 39 had he still been available, a source tells Berman.
Robinson signed with the Knicks last week, getting a $6.4MM deal over four seasons that includes team options after the second and third year. Robinson, who dropped out of Western Kentucky and hasn’t played in 14 months, may have changed the Knicks’ plans for him with an impressive summer league performance, Berman adds. The organization originally had him ticketed for the G League, but will now consider keeping him on the NBA squad.
There’s more this morning out of New York:
- David Fizdale will travel to Latvia next week to meet with Kristaps Porzingis, Berman writes in a separate story. The first meeting between the new coach and his injured star will include a lot of film study. “It’s going to be a big part of the next step to show him the big picture,’’ Fizdale said. “How I want to utilize him, coach him, start building a relationship with him, a bond with him, a connection with him.”
- First-round pick Kevin Knox is already dreaming about being on the court with Porzingis, Berman adds in the same piece. Both players can shoot from outside, and the Knicks view them as an effective combination to spread the floor in Fizdale’s offense. “I see they will complement each other very well,’’ Fizdale said. “That’s not a bad pick-and-roll to run — a KK-Porzingis pick-and-roll.’’
- The Knicks weren’t major players in this year’s free agency, but things are shaping up great for next summer, notes Frank Isola of The New York Daily News. Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving, two potential 2019 targets, both turned down extension offers, and Kevin Durant has an option after one year.
Lucky for the Knicks that Robinson fell to them
Really like a lot of the Knicks outlook moving forward. They got lucky at the end of the season with a perfect fit pickup of Troy Williams, who is a good 2 way wing player that plays hard. They picked up Alonzo Trier on a 2 way deal after he somehow went undrafted. They did really well in the draft this year. Mitchell Robinson reminds me of Hassan Whiteside, but I think he’ll be a better pick and roll defender as he develops. A few prominent scouts think he has really high upside, and I think he is with the right coach to possibly reach that. Not sure how the dynamic will be with Porzingis playing the same position, but if anything they can stagger minutes, and have Porzingis play some 4 in some lineups. I had Kevin Knox to them from the beginning, long before the reports of him rising on boards. He looks really good so far on both ends of the floor. He kind of reminds me of Kevin Durant, but he mostly reminds me of a young Paul Pierce/Melo/Jayson Tatum. He needs to work on his footwork, and be a more willing attacker, and I think he has a chance to be special. Their other young guys Ntilikina and Dotson are developing as well. Ntilikina is a winning player in my opinion. I just want to see him look to be a little more aggressive for himself. I think David Fizdale is a great coach for them, as he can develop these guys. With Porzingis coming back next year, and cap space in a free agent year like next year, the Knicks should be really interesting to watch. I honestly do believe the Kyrie/Butler rumors too. A lot is pointing to that, although a lot can happen in a year
How much did the fired exec Gaines have to do with any of this I wonder.
Your Heat bias is showing, Robinson is only like Whiteside because of his frame and the way his idiosyncrasies play in the print. Robinson has decent handles and a way better motor, and if he hits his ceiling, could become a poor man’s Dikembe. That’s IF he hits his potential.
Paint *
He plays like a Willie Cauley Stein, and showed he can hit threes in college. Not every 7’1 Center who can block shots is Whiteside
High school not college my bad
Whiteside is a lot more skilled than I think you’ve seen. And I pointed out the difference in motor, and that I think he will be a better pick and roll defender. It isnt just blocking shots, or even skillset, although those things are a big part of it. They have a lot of similar mannerisms on both sides of the ball…but ya, as I alluded to, there are scouts that have taken it to a different level with Robinson, and compared him to Anthony Davis. I would have to see a lot more from him to say anything like that, but if he has any shot at reaching something like that, he is with the right coach.
…I’m obviously comparing when Whiteside is actually engaged, not when he shows how much of a quitter he is
2019 is going to be interesting for the Knicks. Potential to sign two top FA’s, KP hopefully back for a full season, most likely a top lottery pick, and a year of experience under the table for Knox. Robinson is interesting as well – looks talented, but it was summer league. Looking forward to seeing him on the court if the Knicks do decide to carry him with the pro team this year.
Lol….Kevin Durant….yeah let me leave a team where I win championships with ease to go to one that is worse than the thunder.
Cause New York….
He has 2……hes 2nd fiddle to curry.
He were to lead the knicks to one hed be a legend.
Right now hes just a great player that had to join a great team to finally win a championship cause he couldnt win it leading a team by himself- he was #1 with westbrook and harden. Hes #2 with curry.
James was #1 in miami and #1 in cleveland where irving became #2 and love #3.
I really like Knox and Robinson! I want KP to take his time coming back. Let us struggle and at the same time develop Knox and Robinson. So next year we can start Robinson/KP/Knox- Talk about Wingspan across the board! We gotta get rid of THJ to get that 2nd Max player slot. So Please get working on that now! I can really see Kyrie signing first then Butler coming along..
Kyrie/Butler/Knox/KP/Robinson and a Top 5/10 pick coming off the bench with Alonzo Trier
I would also package Frank unless we truly understand he’s a backup at best! I don’t think he’s good at all. I’ve seen 4 point guards come in and start ahead of him and seen him struggle in summer league.
This is what needs to happen, don’t debate me on this lolololol
Big year for the Knicks’ “new” FO (Mills and Perry), with a full season under their belt and their hand picked HC in place. They’ve talked the talk about conducting a rebuild in a patient intelligent manner, with a focus on player development. Their hires reflect that intent, as do the players they added in and after the draft. But they still have to walk the walk. There are going to lots of hard decisions that will need to be made this year that will have ramifications well beyond it. The prime decision makers don’t have much of a record in that regard, and what record they do have is mixed.
Formerlyz I thought KP6 was a 4 not a 5, he doesn’t like playing the 5, hasn’t got the body, he isn’t any good at it, the only thing he has is the height. But I think NY like any team have to find guys who are fast, strong, with wingspan that can shoot & above all are as tall as possible doing so, if NY can get a decent 5 with KP6 at the 4 & KK at the 3… is looking real good. Though I cannot see any big FA gonna Knicks next year, they are to low on the rebuilt, guys like Kyrie, Butler, KD & other mentioned wanna go to winning teams, maybe when $$$ are dried out, then some FA will go to NY, but not just for the city, winning is more important & NY is not the best city to live neither.
Kyrie grew up a Knicks fan and apparently has always wanted to play for the Knicks, and Butler apparently wants to play with him…
Porzingis is best at the 5 in today’s NBA. His ability to guard pick and roll and protect the rim, as well as shoot and playmake, is perfect for that position, and his mobility should allow him to see enough minutes at the 4 as well in bigger lineups
I’m well aware of KI’s background (his HS coach was a college classmate) and his affinity for NY Metro area and the Knicks. Those, together with the DVE being off the table, gives the Knicks a shot. A shot. Nothing more. Butler, who knows? I’m sure he said something. These guys also love to play the media, and, by extension, fan bases. Knicks should put together a plan if they can win this Exacta, but not put themselves in a position where they’re set back if it doesn’t happen. There’s no need. If those guys want to come, Knicks can make it happen – even if they go into the summer without all the cap space they’d need.
You’re entitled to your opinion on KP’s best position, but I disagree. He can play the 5 in small doses depending on his match up. More than that you’re retarding his development and wasting his talent. Despite his height (and weight), he’s a skilled finesse player. It’s a basic axiom in the game that you don’t allow your best skilled big to get matched on bigger, stronger players. Prescription for fouls and injuries. Individual metrics favor him at the 4, and team metrics even more so. He’s a better shot blocker weak side than on the ball (meaning you lose blocks putting him at the 5). He’s not a primary rebounder (meaning you’d need another true big out there in any event). Even if he stays healthy and adjusts his game, KP at the 5 is a commitment to being a finesse team, and likely a soft one. Those teams don’t win much of anything in any era.
As I said about the free agents, anything can happen in a year. I’m just saying things are currently looking like it will happen…
As for Porzingis, I couldn’t vehemently disagree more, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, and then there’s GS
KP is a 4, not a 5. He doesn’t have the meat, not even against the centers with mobility. He’s great weak side help on D, but best played at 4. He’s Dirk, but taller with better block shot capability.