Wizards sharpshooter Davis Bertans could be a free agent option for the Knicks if they can’t land Gordon Hayward, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who says Bertans is high on the club’s wish list. New York has a need for outside shooting and Bertans is one of the best in the league. He ranked third last season in three-pointers taken and made, while hitting them at a 42.4% clip.
Like Hayward, Bertans will carry an expensive price tag and there will be plenty of competition for his services. Washington will make keeping him a priority, and the Spurs would like to bring him back after trading him away to open cap space in an ill-fated attempt to sign Marcus Morris.
The Knicks are one of the few teams entering free agency with ample cap space, roughly $35MM after clearing out the roster Thursday and acquiring Ed Davis from Utah. Berman notes that a sign-and-trade with Washington could be possible, with New York throwing in a couple of the 2023 second-rounders it acquired this week.
There’s more Knicks news to pass along:
- Julius Randle‘s future in New York could be shaky after the Knicks drafted his apparent replacement in Obi Toppin, states Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. Randle averaged 19.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during his first season with the team, but shot a disappointing 46% from the floor and wasn’t able to become the focus of the offense. He will make $18.9MM this season, but only has a $4MM guarantee on his $19.8MM contract for 2021/22.
- In addition to his overall skills, Toppin brings an electrifying athleticism that should make him a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden, notes David Waldstein of The New York Times. “I don’t rank his dunks,” said Dayton head coach Anthony Grant, “but he will definitely excite a crowd with his explosiveness, variety and showmanship. He’s fun to watch; must-see TV.”
- For all the excitement about the Knicks’ draft, they still haven’t filled their most pressing need, which is finding a point guard, contends Mike Vaccaro of The New York Post. The decision to part with Elfrid Payton leaves Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. as the only point guards currently on the roster. Options include trading for Russell Westbrook or making a huge offer to free agent Fred VanVleet, but Vaccaro suggests the Knicks might wait for a long-term solution until next year’s draft when Cade Cunningham, Caleb Love and DJ Steward may all be available.
Knicks were targeting Zion, Davis and Durant last summer.
Then
Replace Zion with Randle
Replace Davis with Gibson
Replace Durant with Portis
And?
already got rid of 2 of em and now have cap space
also not sure they were really “targeting” david tbh…
E sticazzi?
Swearing in Italian shouldn’t be any more acceptable than swearing in English here.
Sillivan That was more of a media thing then an actual thing for them. The media loves to bring up the Knicks and Lakers every time the possibility of an elite player changing teams comes up. The only part of that that was ever realistic was them getting Zion.
They’ll be discussing Giannis, Harden, and Westbrook forming a super team on the Knicks next.
They never targeted Davis and they decided not to go for Durant after he got injured.
I rather wait for next year draft for knicks future point guard . Maybe sign Dj augestin for now to be the pg and let him mentor frank and smith. Dj in my opinion is underrated pg leader .
Why not just wait until 2030 for your future PG? I mean there is an 8 year old in Brooklyn that looks like he could be the next superstar. As soon as he stops wetting the bed.
He’s already said he will not play for Dolan after Dolan called his parents alcoholics.
Because the Knicks drafted Toppin, I think they’ll have limited interest in giving a large FA contract to any of the stretch 4’s they were looking at before the draft. In Bertans’ case it’s likely moot as he appears to be staying put. I think they’ll back off Woods as well. Toppin needs the shortest of paths to 30 mpg, and Mitch needs those mpg from the start.
Priorities now should be a bigger wing player to play opposite Barrett, and, of course, a veteran PG. But the PG, in particular, doesn’t need to be a long term signing. I’d like to see a 2 year deal for a guy like Dragic or Rondo. But FVV on an overpay would still be better than Westbrook, as it will still be less $$ and he’s young enough to be part of the finished product in some capacity.
Absolutely Dragic or Rondo for 2 years with a team option on the 2nd year if we could swing it.
They never targeted Davis and they decided not to go for Durant after he got injured.
Knicks should look to sign someone to add with Juilius Randle in a trade for Russell Westbrook.
If target Evan Fournier, Jerami Grant, Serge Ibaka, Malik Beasley or Otto Porter Jr.
Then after you’ve acquire Russ (which only cost you about 20mil cap space due to getting rid of Randle) try target some of the younger players.
Josh Jackson, Harry Giles, Derrick Jones Jr, Kris Dunn, Glen Robinson , Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jahil Okafor.
I’d throw 2 years 26mil at DJJ, 1 year 6 mil Harry Giles and the minimum for RHJ and Okafor.
1. Russ. DSJ. Quickly
2. Barrett. Bullock. Ntilikina
3. DJJ. Knox. Jackson
4. Toppin. RHJ.
5. Robinson. Giles. Okafor
Russ can be a star and attract fans and attention. Plus with this team he can run a very athletic and quick offence while being a leader for the younger guys.
Barrett would be a lot better not playing on ball as much and learning from a former MVP vet in Russ. DJJ would be a perfect 3 and D wing and would thrive with Toppin and Russ in the fast break. He would also be great in building a culture and because of his age could be a long term piece.
Russ would have a positive affect on both DSJ and Quickly the back up PGs who have a similar play style and could learn a lot.
Another area of strength would be the versatility from the wings with DJJ, Knox, Jackson and RHJ all capable defenders than can cover 2-4, which means all player will have good opportunities and get good minutes.
Lastly the centre position would be weak but Robinson is developing into a very solid piece hopefully he improves with more minutes. Giles if he can stay fit would be a great addition and Okafor who is only 24 could be a nice contributor from the wood.
It’s all about being building for the future. This team could if everything goes great could be a fringe playoff team in the easier EC, but at worse all the young guys would improve and develop and you continue to grow for the future