Marcus Morris is confident that he’ll sign a multi-year contract with the Knicks if he remains with the organization past the trade deadline, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. This comes after a report earlier this week that he and the team have “strong mutual interest” in reaching a new deal this summer. Morris likes playing in New York and enjoys being so close to his family in Philadelphia.
Morris risked some security last year when he reneged on a two-year offer with the Spurs to accept a one-year arrangement with the Knicks. He recently hired a new agent in Raymond Brothers, who has a close relationship with New York general manager Scott Perry.
While it’s not a sure thing that Perry will remain with the organization after another disappointing season, some sources believe owner James Dolan’s desire to have Masai Ujiri run the team could work in Perry’s favor. Dolan may not be able to land Ujiri while he’s still under contract with the Raptors, so Mills may be able to convince Dolan to give him another season while he waits. Thunder president Sam Presti could be another target, Bondy adds.
There’s more this morning from New York:
- A source tells Bondy the Knicks are in the market for a point guard and have interest in acquiring Dennis Schroder from the Thunder. Schroder is making $15.5MM this year and is signed for the same amount for next season.
- The Clippers are believed to be interested in Morris, and a source suggests to Steve Popper of Newsday that the Knicks might accept Maurice Harkless in return, along with a first-round pick, Landry Shamet or possibly both. Harkless has an $11MM expiring contract. Popper also states that New York may be willing to trade for Pistons center Andre Drummond as a way to unload Julius Randle, who will make $18.9MM next season. Drummond is expected to opt out of his $28MM salary, which would provide a huge amount of cap room. The Knicks have also received calls about Kevin Knox, Popper adds.
- The Knicks are surprised that Mitchell Robinson was passed over for the Rising Stars Challenge, relays Marc Berman of The New York Post. The second-year center has been one of the bright spots of the team, averaging 9.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. “It’s not something that’s going to hurt my feelings,’’ Robinson said. “I’m still going to come out here and play. I’m still going to move on and continue to play ball. I’m still in the NBA, so I really don’t care.”
Please take Drummond from us! Please please please
Agreed. Would much rather have Randle than Drummond at this point. The pistons already have multiple big men prospects. With Randle being able to start at both center and pf, the prospects can ripen. New york will find no good use for their cap room again and Drummond will ponder retirement.
Morris for Landry and 1st and then taking back the harkless salary is a very good haul have to take that
Knicks should keep Marcus Morris and Julius Randle. Also of course keep Mitchell Robinson and RJ Barrett. Everyone else can go. I’m a bit shaky on Drummond and would wait for the season to end and attempt to acquire him in free agency so that we don’t lose anybody like Randle and Morris.
If we trade RANDLE and/or Morris we would have to make up what they do for us points and rebounds wise including Morris’s 3 point accuracy.
Also Drummond turns the balk over almost 4 times per game which we have to look at, but his 16 rpg are hard to not want in this team. We are currently the best offensive rebounding team in the league. This team isn’t as bad as their record shows imo
Dennis Schroeder would be a great pickup. If they were to accept Knox, Portis for him and a draft pick I would do it
Agreed, they would be very smart to plug Schroeder into the Knicks’ roster. Which is why I will be very surprised if the management team pulls that off.
Knicks don’t give Robinson the ball…or play him enough…not sure what they are surprised about
The Knicks should worry less about meaningless selections to play in meaningless games, and more about putting Robinson and other young players in the best position to develop.
The acquisition of Randle was a huge negative for Robinson’s development because they really can’t play together; and has meant Robinson has to come off the bench. Robinson’s doing very well, but no thanks to the Stooges and their ridiculous roster construction.
It would be funny if the Knicks traded Randle for a presumed expiring, Drummond– and then Drummond opts in to NY, perhaps for supplemental income. Time for some new team literature!
Getting rid of Randle might be worth it. If Drummond opts in, he would almost certainly be movable as a rental for a full season. Moving Randle is addition by subtraction, although having Drummond on the roster wouldn’t be any better for Robinson.
The Knicks are better off with Randle, as maddening as he his play can be.
Knicks love them some average PGs. Instead of trying to get something out of DSJ they’ll trade for Schroder and play him and Payton.