Veteran guard Austin Rivers was excited to join the Knicks as a free agent back in November, but his first year in New York hasn’t played out as he envisioned so far. After getting a late start to the season due to a groin injury, Rivers has now fallen out of the rotation entirely following the acquisition of Derrick Rose.
Rivers, who said he heard rumors even before the season that the Knicks could eventually trade for Rose, referred to his situation as “tough.” But with the team outperforming preseason expectations, he’s focused on staying positive — even if his own future remains unclear as the trade deadline approaches.
“As long as I’m here, I’m here,” Rivers said, per Marc Berman of The New York Post. “I can’t control if I’m traded today, tomorrow or the next day. What I can control is how I am as a player and what I can bring to this team every day. That’s being ready at all times no matter if my name is called or not and to help the young, young guys be ready to play. I’ll just continue to be ready to play here as long as I’m here, for however long.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- The Knicks are “analyzing” whether to attempt to trade for Cavaliers center Andre Drummond, a source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post. Drummond’s $28.75MM salary diminishes his value as a trade chip, but the Knicks still have approximately $15MM in cap room and wouldn’t have to match the big man’s full salary. Berman adds that the Cavs’ asking price is believed to be modest, which makes sense, since the club only gave up a second-round pick and expiring contracts for him a year ago.
- Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic explores how the Knicks’ second-half schedule will affect their chase for a playoff spot, noting that weathering the six games at the start of the second half will be crucial, since they could help determine the team’s approach to the trade deadline. That six-game stretch includes games against Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia (twice).
- In a separate story of The Athletic, Vorkunov and Tim Cato revisit the Kristaps Porzingis trade, which the Knicks and Mavericks made in January 2019. According to Cato, Dallas still feels strongly that it won the deal, especially given the way Tim Hardaway Jr. has played over the last two years. However, Vorkunov suggests it hasn’t been a total disaster for New York, given Porzingis’ ongoing injury issues and his up-and-down play, plus the fact that the Knicks could still make good use of the two first-round picks they’re owed.
I would like very much to trade payton for a second, so we can slide rivers to the rotation, he was playing very decent berfore rose arrives. Also, drummond doesn’t make ANY sense, robinson will be back soon and noel is handling well
Revisit “the trade” oooohhhh. Hardaway has been ok. Still not a great defender. And mostly a shooter playing 29 mins. A little overpaid for his production. KP they are still figuring out what to do with him. Seems they should of known that before trading for him. And that’s not even talking about his injury history. Frankly I could care less about Dallas. We got an all star in Randle plus two #1 picks coming. We got Rose and cap space to sign whoever we want. I think we did ok. So we’ll just move on. I love Luka a great player. But I’m 100% sure we will see the Finals before Mavs do. With next yrs draft we will be one of deepest and youngest teams in NBA.
Wow, you Knicks fans love to make bold predictions that you regret later.
Have seen the Mavs. I know what we got here and what’s coming next draft.
Yes, because draft picks always pan out.
“I could care less about the Mavs” well how much less could you care? Also you are 100% sure the Knicks will be in the finals before the Mavs?! Hahaha that is hilarious
This summer
Knicks have to offer both Kawhi and Collins max plus 15% trade kicker
$73 million practical cap space is just too much
It’s against CBA rules if Knicks don’t use it
Knicks are very concerned about too large cap room
Mavs have zero chance to play in Conference Finals bc of assets next 3 years
After giving Kawhi and Collins max, Knicks can trade for Zach LaVine
Knicks trade away all picks including Mavs unprotected pick for a couple of star role players
This is just the starting point
Bulls are not trading Lavine. Stop with this nonsense.
Knicks then trade Collins and next 20 years off number one picks for the Lakers roster.
Here is that Knicks fan delusion: Kawhi & Collins are now both coming to the Knicks? lol
Listen, the Knicks could potentially land some players with those 1sts, but in all likelihood they are going to be outside the lottery and not amount to much. At the end of the day the Mavs landed Porzingis, albeit an injury prone player, a guy who is a top 30-35 player, and THJ who has been a “good” starter.
Mavs absolutely won that deal.
The Mavs only won that deal if KP can stay healthy. That’s a big if.
It’s time to admit knicks won the KP trade. First of all kp was a rim protector with the knicks unfortunately his injuries played a role in him being labeled defensive liability plus Hardaway was averaging around the same points he was a starter with the knicks why is Hardaway coming off the bench with the mavs. It’s not a guarantee that mavs make the playoffs which can help the knicks in terms of where that lottery pick lands in 21. We have yet to cash in the 1st round picks the mavs gave us. The lottery teams this year are better while the contending teams are falling towards lottery status.
Let’s see. Knicks haven’t even used the picks yet.
I pushed for Drummond trade when Det was shopping him. He could of mentored Mitch here. But I’m glad we didn’t then. Cause now we have Toppin n Quickly. And rebuilding is really what it’s all about. I always liked Drummond and feel he gets a bad rap. He’s and old school center. And you have to use him that way. Thibs can do that. They talk about empty stats his 17 n 13. We will use that, Thibs can teach him to play team D. And use him better in the offense. Considering it will not cost us much. I’m good with him coming to NY. Having Thibs work his magic till end of yr. loading up with assets is what a rebuilding team should do. Moving Rivers, Nttilikina, Bullock, Payton, Noel can bring back value. One more big draft for us. And we will be ready to start moving up the East ladder.
Only thing Drummond would’ve mentored is how to not play defense.
Says a lot about the Mills’ era that it takes injury issues to make a trade not a total disaster. Good work.
About only thing he got right. And it was by luck. KP wanted out so bye, I still like KP but if he don’t put on weight he won’t last .
Carlise is a terrible coach (IMO) and not using KP wrong. At the time of the trade the mavs won. Ny missed out on key free agents. Dallas will have room to offer a max contract. If i were a Kawhi Leonard for example, would i rather play with luka kp and carlise or randle and obi in NY with a dysfunctional front office.
Plus randle is only putting up good numbers because hes on a bad time. Like freaking david lee was an all star a decade ago because he was on a bad team.
Mavs record could be better, we had the most players out this season and are 7-1 in our last 8 games when we are fully healthy
So knicks will get a 1st round from the mavs in the 20s. It wont be a lottery pick.
Frankly I always thought it would be 20-22. Right now they can still fall into lottery. This yr the 1st rd is loaded. So I’d be very happy with a top 20 pick.
It’s time to admit knicks won the KP trade. First of all kp was a rim protector with the knicks unfortunately his injuries played a role in him being labeled defensive liability plus Hardaway was averaging around the same points he was a starter with the knicks why is Hardaway coming off the bench with the mavs. It’s not a guarantee that mavs make the playoffs which can help the knicks in terms of where that lottery pick lands in 21. We have yet to cash in the 1st round picks the mavs gave us. The lottery teams this year are better while the contending teams are falling towards lottery status.
Almost half way mark. And Knicks are .500 (16-17)
In Thibs we Trust. Bench played great last night. Love RJ but I’m starting to think he might be best as the SF. Still believe he can be great 2way player and all star. Bring Drummond home , why not. Let’s go for it.
Like to see Knicks look into getting Dinwiddie.