Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has a reputation for preferring veterans over young players and other future assets, but he indicated the organization might not take that approach this year, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. The Knicks have exceeded expectations so far, holding a 21-21 record that has them tied for sixth place in the East. Although there’s temptation to add talent to end a long playoff drought, Thibodeau suggested the team is willing to take a long-term approach.
“It’s important for us to go step-by-step and not skip over things,’’ he said. “The whole goal this year is to build a foundation and the right type of habits. Wherever that leads us, it leads us. Our players have responded. In this league, you’re always looking for player development first, then look at the draft and free agency, then trades. You never stop working in all four areas. Every day it’s how can we make the team better. That’s where our focus lies with coaches, front office and players. We’re all tied together. We’re going to do what’s best for the Knicks.’’
Berman notes that two of the most prominent names the Knicks have been tied to — Rockets guard Victor Oladipo and Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball — will be free agents this summer and may be obtainable without breaking up the young core.
There’s more from New York:
- Andre Drummond could be worth watching if he reaches a buyout with the Cavaliers, Berman adds in the same story, but there’s “mutual disinterest” between the Knicks and Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge, who plays the same position as Julius Randle.
- Center Mitchell Robinson could be back Sunday after missing 15 games with a broken hand, but he may not rejoin the starting lineup right away, Berman states in a separate story. Nerlens Noel has been effective in his place, and Robinson may return on a minutes restriction. “I want to see how that goes,” Thibodeau said. “There’s great versatility there. Eventually, he’ll get back to starting. Whether that happens right away or down the road … I’m comfortable with both guys in that role. And I’m really comfortable with Taj (Gibson) as well. That gives us great depth at that position.”
- Frank Ntilikina, who’s on the final year of his rookie contract and will have a $15.6MM cap hold if he receives a qualifying offer, seems to be the most likely Knicks player to be traded, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. Alec Burks, Reggie Bullock and Elfrid Payton all have expiring contracts, but an Eastern Conference scout told Popper their trade value is limited to a second-round pick apiece.
Were is obi
Wow wish I knew how to comment!
Anyway, I watched Obi since he arrived at Dayton. I don’t think Obi fits the Knicks.
For one his teammates don’t like playing with him. They stand him in a corner and stands supposedly to spread the floor. Obi shot over 40% for his career for 3s in College. Now I don’t think he is a good 3 pt. Shooter at this point, he is capable. I say that to say this he very seldom recieves a pass wide open or not!
Obi is a team player, so he plays with in his self, when at Dayton he never scored to build his statistics, he did what was necessary to win. Obi is a good guy, he won’t make waves, which may be a disadvantage. For him to be successful it would be advantageous for him to be in on a running team. I’ve seen a number of occasions when he has broke after a defensive rebound open and they walk it up the court! Now my criticism of Obi is he should use his athleticism to offensive rebound on the weak side, as well as pursue weak side opportunities.
Now is there a solution? Yes one would be to find some minutes at Center, and occasionally match him with certain wings. He will continue to work hard but eventually for the Knicks any value for him they have to put him in a position to succeed! Yes he is disadvantaged by certain match ups, but the way to take advantage of his
skills you allow him to run the court which will allow him to create mismatches! Put Obi with a team that runs, something other then the ole bulls triple post, then Obi will show his particular skills.
Obi can’t shoot or play d. He is getting small minutes and getting a role. Thibs has been amazing with this team. Randle is a star, Barret is coming along, Noel has been as good as Mitchell if not better.
Obi = should have drafted Haliburton
Wait what? An NBA team is waiting for the Cavs to buyout Drummond??
Yes and oh, something about FrankN. He blah blah blah. Has HR ever expended so many words for such a nonentity.
And now we hear proabably no playoffs. Again
Maybe Drummond can sign with the Lakers after he gets his buyout.
You shouldn’t anger NY fans saying their team is missing the playoffs again.
He knows about as much as you do about NY and Ball. Make a good couple. And now we Hear. .???
I thought you play your way in.
I just read Thibs say he was favoring development first, “wherever that takes us”. The first HR article topic, direct quote. He didn’t say he was going for the playoffs, putting winning first. It was like a concession speech, though it was probably more to manage (reduce) expectations.
Sometimes goals conflict and one must favor a choice. Few would object to this choice, except those who consolidate their likes and call them thus mutually supporting instead of possibly contradicting.
IDK why you bring up Ball, presumably Lonzo.
I think you are mature enough to understand. You can’t take writers for their word. Especially Berman and national media. They more about readership and stats than truth. Since you are obviously not a Knick fan. Why make judgments and criticize it. It’s uninformed bias. If you really care, and we know you don’t. We can all do a little research to get the truth. Or ask a hardcore fan. They will give you an honest take. Thibs has been talking about winning since he joined. Plenty of media therefore talking heads here. Have all said Thibs will wear out team trying to win now. Not play the young guys or trade them all. A .500 team in East of course has to go for playoffs. Doesn’t mean they will blow team up. But there is no truth to Thibs giving up on playoffs. I mean who would think that about a first yr coach, let alone Thibs. Knicks haven’t been in playoffs since 2013 lol. Do you really believe they will no go for it.
The whole issue with NY is about going for it too soon. It will never be about not going for playoffs. I believe you are confused. We are a rebuilding team. Who is playing well enough to make the playoffs. Why is that so hard to take.
B69 is probably right, Thibs is trying to reassure fans about playing Toppin less while not blaming Toppin for the cut minutes. Doing that leads to a garbled “official” message, being about certain youth rather than the team. Thibs was probably placating under orders and surely he hates doing that.
“We are a rebuilding team. Who is playing well enough to make the playoffs” is a fractured sentence but a good motto for NYK ’21, like it or not. (Hasn’t worked for the Cavs yet!)
I keep saying the Knicks want the playoffs when K.Al keeps talking development, but then still takes both sides. In theory Thibs walks the same line… the same plan most teams do… yes that is “hard to take”… is it minutes for young or old?
Wally – the Rockets are about to go on a Sacramento like sojourn into being terrible. Your new handle should be DivacExecOfTheYr. Enjoy, my friend
x/Al: Agree Thibs could be lowering expectations, he could also be assuaging concerns that he’s not playing Obi/Quick/Frank enough
Either way I think NY is in the play in game at least. Looking at the standings they’d prob have to start sitting Randle to drop below 10 by year end
1.Fournier
2.Ball
3.Oladipo
Ball is the best investment for potential, he’s my #1 choice for the Knicks, but Fournier makes the Knicks a lot better very quickly
don’t rule out a big trade with Orlando
Thats what i was hoping Thibs would say, that he is on board with a rebuild. Think big, Knicks, stick to the big picture
Agreed. They need to stay the course and not waste cap dollars on players that are only going to help marginally with little impact.
Or he’s just saying what he’s supposed to say in public while feeling very differently in private. And the only reason he’s saying it in the first place is because Rose won’t let him have his way with roster decisions, just as he didn’t listen when Thibs wanted to trade all of the kids prior to the season.
Building a core has always been the priority here. We lucked out with Randles progress. Another scorer-shooter at TD is the way to go. The playoffs is important for Knicks no matter what they are saying. Just don’t blow up the rebuilding for small success. Drummond could be had for nothing, you do it. Cause if He gets bought out. Now you have contenders after him. So he probably signs with one. Heat, Lakers, Celtics, Nets, Bucks all will come calling.
Oladipo needs to be traded ASAP
His value goes down daily
Lonzo needs to be traded too in case Knicks offer $100 million contract
Vic’s value is already low, his shooting has been terrible since the deal to Houston, and the 19 game losing streak in which he is one of two most talented players (along with Wall with Wood out) doesn’t paint him in a great light either.
As for Thibs, he’s towing the company line, but is not necessarily as committed to it on the court. Randle’s averaging 40 minutes a game over the last month, Gibson will continue to get minutes when Robinson gets back, and Bullock is taking minutes away from younger guys. I’m not arguing, he’s done a great job in putting the Knicks in a position to make the playoffs, and some of the youth that’s not playing (Knox, Toppin) haven’t proven they deserve more time.
If Rose gets back soon, Payton, Knox and Frank would be the three I would make available. Not sure that they get much for any of them, but they should be testing the market on each.
oladipo isn’t a #1 option. I think the hawks might give up some assets to let him give it another go before FA. He might be a sparkplug next to trae, and ATL could end up maxing Collins and Dipo if they can move Gallinari during the draft
There’s no point in trading for any impending UFA. If they are dead set on having Ball, okay trade for him bc he is an RFA. John Collins or Devonte Graham would be other RFAs.
I wish sites like Bas.Ref. would disclose more of that status data.
Years left, whose option, RFA/UFA, bird rights, yrs with team, etc.
Sportrac is not even that rigorous or convenient. Yes I suppose it could be figured but who works at it. A journalist has to write it.
Knicks fans will riot if Ntlikina is traded…
i will riot if he isnt
I think he’s been playing cause they are going to move him. But he can still be be moved in off season. Might be easier to move Payton. Nttilikina is actually a better defender than Payton. But all anyone sees is he should be a star by now. He’s 22 and in 4 yrs he’s had four coaches.
Interesting this article says NY isnt moving Payton or burks bc they’ll only get a 2nd for them but then seems to imply they’ll move Frank bc his value is higher
I find that a little hard to believe but hey if the Knicks can get multiple seconds or a late first for Frank I would be delighted
The Knicks drafted him BECAUSE they needed a player named, “Frank”. They got what they wanted.
I could see the Knicks adding a veteran wing player on an expiring deal (rental) from a team that’s capitulated on the playoffs. But not at a high price point.
Fournier is a UFA this summer, and if Orl makes him available at the TD, the Knicks should kick the tires. At his salary, the market will be limited – I doubt that anyone will offer a 1st for him. If Orl is intrigued by some combination of Knox, a 2nd (or two) and a TPE, that might work. If not, they can revisit him this summer if the draft doesn’t point them in a different direction.
Fournier is having his best yr. He’s a good shooter-scorer just what Knicks need. He’s a young vet also fits team well. He can start with RJ as both are interchangeable wings. Imo he’s a great fit. But Magic might want too much. I’d give up a future #1 not this yr and expiring contracts. Frank would excel in Orlando no pressure. To be honest I’m not sure which way Knicks will go. I think they will be conservative about it. Not overpay or overreach. But I believe they will make a trade.
He’s an apparent fit. But IMO he’s not worth a 1st as a rental. I was assuming that they’d want a young player that’s signed next year (Knox) and they’d value a TPE (based on their cap chart) more than another unsigned one – but Frank could be included as well.
Knicks are going into a draft that in which they likely won’t have a top 10 pick, so they’ll want to conserve their artillery for a trade up (Toppin, plus both 1sts this year and Dallas’ 2023 first is what would likely be needed to get into the top 5 of the draft). After the draft, they can sign Fournier on top of that with their cap space.
I agree not as a rental. Yup have to sign him . He’s 28 he’s a young vet. Probably looking for minimum 16-18 mill. Magic not going to pay him. He made 17 mill this yr. 5 yrs 85-100 mill should do it. Might be able to sign him as FA. But getting him now makes the payoffs and future something to look forward to. With another scorer Knicks could surprise in 1st rd. Could even sneak into 4-5 th seed.
The world must truly be changing for the better—maybe the pandemic is officially over—because I actually agree with DXC here.
Fournier is a nice enough player, but no need to toss off a 1st rounder for him, especially with Thibs recent comments about focusing on the young guys.
We’re on pace for, at worst, making the play in. Let’s play it out this year and pursue guys like Fournier this offseason.