Two people in touch with the Knicks within the last few days have said that the team remains opposed to moving a future first-round pick in any trade scenario, reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
Begley cautions that the stance could be posturing on the Knicks’ part, but I’d personally be pretty surprised to see New York trade a first-rounder in the coming weeks. The only scenario in which it would make sense would be if the club could land a player who is under contract for multiple years and projects to be a long-term building block.
The Knicks were recently linked to Andre Drummond. Reports since then have downplayed those talks, but Begley has suggested they were more than just exploratory discussions. Even if they were serious about a Drummond scenario, it’s not clear if the Knicks would have to give up a first-round pick, given the big man’s uncertain contract status beyond this season.
Here’s more out of New York:
- Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. missed his ninth straight game due to a oblique strain on Sunday and there’s still no clear timetable for his return, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. However, Smith is enthusiastic about the progress he has made. “It’s actually faster (than I expected),” Smith said. “I heard with oblique strains, it can be two months. I’m actually coming along fast. I’m going through the process. I’m feeling better.”
- Kyrie Irving looked good on Sunday in his return for the Nets, making 10-of-11 shots from the floor in 20 minutes and helping lead the team to a blowout win. As Brian Lewis of The New York Post writes, Irving said it was “good to be back” on the court. “It was a long road back, man,” Irving said. “A lot of questions I had to answer; just health for my shoulder, longevity, what would’ve been the best option for my health long term.”
- Spencer Dinwiddie played a starring role for the Nets in Irving’s absence, but is happy to give up some of his scoring and play-making responsibilities now that his backcourt mate is healthy. “I’d rather average 21 and win at a high level [compared to] 25 and getting my head cracked every night,” Dinwiddie told Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. “I don’t view his coming back as, ‘Now I’m gonna average two points a game.’ I’ll still be productive. It gives our group a chance to win a lot more games.”
- Nets forward Rodions Kurucs acknowledged that his legal issues have impacted his performance on the court this season, Lewis writes for The New York Post. Kurucs, who was accused of domestic assault, has had a reduced role in 2019/20 and has been up and down when he’s played.
Knicks aren’t gonna convince any free agents mega star level to sign. They need to build through the draft and build a strong core to attach premium free agents.
You start by trading Morris and others for a 1st in a package,if necessary, and take what draft capital you can get it.
How about we pick up Kenny Wooten from the g league! He is a beast
Wouldn’t it be funny if AD decides to sign with the Knicks this summer, then everyone would have to stop crapping all over them.
Everyone keeps craping all over the Knicks because every year they think they’ll sign someone, but it doesn’t happen. This has gone on for a decade, since they thought they had LeBron locked up in a Knicks jersey for the 2010 offseason.
Ah poor Kurucs
If he’s guilty, let him fry, but it’s all alleged right now.
When the Knicks signed all the PFs this summer, I figured they were going to trade all of them for assets. PF is a position of need on a few teams, and I thought it was a smart move (albeit defeatist).
But it looks like that wasn’t really the plan. Knicks gotta Knick.
That made too much sense! It had to be wrong lol.
Still, if the right offer came along, blah blah blah
No matter, the tradin’ bug just hasn’t gotten around this year after that offseason free agency.
Knicks should keep their 2020 pick. But others make available. I like Morris a lot. But at 30. It’s best to move him for 1st rd pick. I’m sure he’ll be ok on a contender. Knicks should have signed Russell. I would trade for him. But I doubt Warriors move him till draft. I take a long look at Drummond. Probably get him cheap. Robinson is 20. Only avgs 22 mins a game. He can still get 20 with Drummond. Even with Drummond here. What we really need is consistent PG play. I like Payton as a backup. If we can draft Anthony or trade up for him. I do it. He’s going 3 – 6.
Nobody is giving you a first for Morris. Smh
The only deals the Knicks can rationally make (with the current FO in place) are ones in which they acquire future assets, not trade them. Draft picks, cap space (beyond this season) and even young players signed through next season should be off limits. Let the Stooges trade their great FA signings; if they were worth the 70 mm plus they spent on them, then the 1st round picks should start rolling in.
Imbecilic organization keeps losing with journeymen on the floor. Go with Barrett, Robinson, Knox, let them get their lumps while learning, clean house, then use those draft picks in the DRAFT, NOT in trades.