This could be a make-or-break season for Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. and he has impressed coach Tom Thibodeau in the early days of camp, according to Greg Joyce of the New York Post. Smith could be a restricted or unrestricted free agent next offseason, depending upon the Knicks’ desire to extend him a qualifying offer. He’s also been subjected to trade rumors.
“I think he’s come into camp and he’s been very aggressive,” Thibodeau said. “I think each day, he’s gotten better and better. That’s what we’re asking him to do — to run his team, keep us organized, take advantage of what your strengths are, your ability to get downhill to force people to collapse, and then make the right play.”
We have more on the New York City teams:
- Nets veterans have been impressed with the work ethic of rookie big man Reggie Perry, Tom Dowd of the team’s website writes. Last season’s SEC’s Co-Player of the Year at Mississippi State is on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract, which could be converted to a two-way deal. “He’s a young kid who works very, very hard, who knows the game of basketball,” forward Jeff Green said.
- Kyrie Irving and the Nets have been fined $25K apiece for failure to comply with media access rules, ESPN’s Malika Andrews relays. A defiant Irving called the media “pawns” unworthy of his attention on an Instagram post on Friday, according to NetsDaily.com. Irving has declined numerous requests to speak to reporters since the beginning of training camp on December 1.
- Nets guard Chris Chiozza declared that he had some two-way offers from other teams, but preferred to stay with Brooklyn, seeking an opportunity to win a championship, Brian Lewis of the New York Post tweets. Chiozza played on a two-way contract with Brooklyn last season but rolled the dice prior to camp this month, signing a one-year non-guaranteed deal.
This is not a good time to expect (or value) player quotes. There are few tickets to sell, probably the main reason to require them.
Randle won’t develop young players such as Smith Jr, Knox and Frank
Trade him to Wolves for Culver and salary
Knicks get Four of a Kind
Wolves get a starting power forward Randle
He could turn into Lakers Randle
I like that trade.
Has no sense for Minnie: they need a defensive PF, not a Randle
@Sillivan – I’m just curious, but when you think of players, or hear any news about basketball, do you just instantly start thinking of trade ideas?? lol
Not trying to be funny, I’m seriously wondering.
Kyrie is a tool
Hopefully a useful tool toward winning a championship. If he and KD are healthy and the rest of the team is at full strength, the Nets will be a hard team to beat.
He might be a tool, but if I was a coach, with the game on the line, I would want Kyrie taking the winning shot..
There are only a couple players right now I’d give that honor to, and that’s Kyrie, Dame, and maybe Curry/Kawhi…
The dude just has that clutch gene in him, maybe it is because he’s a sociopath and he’s incapable of feeling emotions, or maybe he’s a robot like Kawhi, but the dude comes up big in the clutch..You cannot take that away from him..
And yet he’s the biggest prima donna in the league right now.
Kyrie saga 2020-2021 activated!
Brooklyn will never win a thing with Kyrie on the roster.
Kyrie will be the face of mental-health awareness, in the NBA really soon ……… his imaginary war with the media is getting worse by the year.
He’s keepin’ it real man!
Kyrie should just pull a Marshawn Lynch “I’m just here so I don’t get fined”…
Would love Culver is he take really available. I’m really hoping DSJ or Knox can thrive with Thibs.
This is a good article about Kyries psyche. Prekindergarten talks about how Brons excellence affected him. He’s a diva that couldn’t deal with it. And today he’s still trying to prove himself to him and the world. It’s not that Bron is just a GOAT. He’s a team player and team builder. Because real GOATS understand winning is a team thing. 70% of stars today don’t get that. It’s Kyrie says “KD is one he trusts most for last shot. When he’s never played with him. That statement alone says all you need to know about Kyries feelings. Boo Hoo .
link to nypost.com
“He dipped {Irving forced out} before he got all the answers.”