The Knicks are about to have an overcrowded situation at point guard, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Frank Ntilikina is close to returning from a groin strain and Emmanuel Mudiay has nearly recovered from a strained left shoulder. Mudiay practiced today, tweets ESPN’s Ian Begley, while Ntilikina was held out of practice and will be re-evaluated Friday.
When they’re cleared to play, both guards will be sharing time with Dennis Smith Jr., who took over the starting role after being acquired from the Mavericks in late January, and possibly Kadeem Allen, who has impressed coaches since being signed to a two-way contract last month.
Allen could be sent to the G League once everyone is healthy, Berman notes, or the Knicks may want to see more of what he can do at the NBA level. Mudiay could be the odd man out as he’s headed toward free agency and seemingly has little prospect of re-signing in New York now that the organization has committed to Smith.
There’s more Knicks news to pass along:
- If Kyrie Irving is unavailable, New York might target Bucks swingman Khris Middleton in hopes of pairing him with Kevin Durant, Berman speculates in a separate story. Middleton had a 20-point performance in his first All-Star game, then sidestepped questions about free agency. “I’m having a great career so far — that’s all I’m worrying about,” Middleton said. “I’ll think about the summertime in the summertime. We have a lot more work to do, hopefully. We’re playing great basketball. That’s all I’m worrying about.” Because Middleton doesn’t necessarily project as a full max player, Berman suggests the Knicks could sign him and have money left over to keep DeAndre Jordan, who is a friend of Durant’s.
- The Knicks might find it more difficult to lure Durant as long as James Dolan remains the team’s owner, states Frank Isola of The Athletic. A rumor that Dolan might have interest in selling the team was dismissed as “100% false” by MSG Co. on Monday. Isola notes that the organization’s long history of failure under Dolan could make Durant think twice about coming to New York.
- Although his time with the Knicks didn’t end well, Enes Kanter would still endorse the franchise to any free agents who ask him, tweets New York sportswriter Brian Heyman. “It’s a very good organization. Good people. … Amazing city,” Kanter said. “So I think that they have a really good chance to get good superstars.”
No way Milwaukee lets Middleton go.
Frank Isola is not exactly the best person to ask about the knicks as anyone whom has followed the team he has had vendetta against the team since he was I believe ban from the clubhouse a few years ago he never has anything good to say about Dolan
Who has anything good to say about Dolan?
James Dolan burner account
PLEASE LET DOLAN SAY SOMETHING DUMB TO BE FORCED TO SELL.
On second thought maybe I’m wrong but that’s the impression that I’ve gotten over the years from lsola it seems that every time he’s writing or on the air he seems to go out of his way to be critical of the management of the team I know that it’s made it’s share of mistakes but not everything as he seems to imply
I enjoy Isola on NBA radio…I haven’t noticed anything overcritical from in regards to the Knicks, but they also don’t talk a ton of Knicks though
With that said, I’m sure Durant and/or Kyrie will still sign there
It’s not enough that that Berman puts Durant on the Knicks roster. Not enough even that he puts Middleton there too, equally with no reason. But he and his “NBA scout source” also paint Middleton as some sort of secret, a simple humble rube who will happily come running to NY, and there to follow #2 Knick SmithJr wherever he leads.
Oof.
Note to Knicks: price follows demand, and there will be a number of teams that will miss out on Durant. Teams that plan to “settle” for Middleton will be UNsettled. Teams that plan to “pair” him with a a higher-priority 3 will be lucky to get a callback. (Unless Middleton is just looking for someone to drive up the Bucks’offer. Or he knows the Knicks will not get Durant)
What is the source of the confidence people have of the Durant-to-NY move?
Knicks should start DSJ and Ntilikina in the backcourt the rest of the year. And Mudiay with Dotson off the bench. Allen is injury/foul trouble protection. Problem solved. Just like the big situation. Robinson starts, Kornet off the bench. DeAndre spelling them both. Knox is an obvious and right now so is Vonleh. They both r ur forwards the rest of the year. I’d just start all the young guns and if u lose u lose. But u gain experience and have a shot at Zion to move Vonleh to the bench.
Forgot about Trier. He’s the dude who spells Frank, DSJ, Mudiay and Dotson. Allen is on a 10-day so no point in worrying about him.
Fizdale isn’t capable of handling that many guard options, and get any one of them enough minutes to develop or even be evaluated beyond where they currently are. When he had 3 healthy guards he couldn’t figure out how to find them all consistent minutes. The Knick FO’s need to pass DSJ off as still a real prospect (despite Dallas not even being able to get a highly protected 1st for him) only adds to the problem. It will be 24 more games of musical chair rotations, with participation trophies and ice cream for all.