Knicks guard Derrick Rose remains in the NBA’s health and safety protocols and may not join the team on its four-game road trip, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Rose has missed two games since an inconclusive COVID-19 test March 2 in San Antonio. He wasn’t with the team for Wednesday’s practice and won’t play tonight as New York starts the second half of its season.
The league announced Wednesday that two players returned positive results in the latest round of testing, although no one has said if Rose is one of them. Coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters Wednesday that Rose’s status is uncertain.
“To be honest I can’t answer that because I don’t know,’’ Thibodeau responded when asked about the veteran guard rejoining the team for the road trip. “I’m following what Dr. (Lisa) Callahan and what the league says. Once there’s clearance he’ll be available. When we get updated, we’ll update you guys. You’ve seen it throughout the league how it’s been handled. We know it’s serious it is with COVID and we want to take every safety precaution we can.’’
There’s more on the Knicks:
- There’s no timetable for a return by center Mitchell Robinson, who has been sidelined since February 12 with a broken hand, Berman adds in the same story. Robinson was re-evaluated this week, but he’s not expected back soon. “He’s starting to do more,” Thibodeau said. “We’re probably a little ways away. But the conditioning, he’s been very diligent in putting extra work in. so his conditioning is pretty good. The basketball part, he hasn’t been able to scrimmage or anything like that. But he’s handling the ball with his left hand and doing a lot of running. We just have to be patient and let it run its course.’’
- The Knicks need another guard to help with scoring and playmaking, and the Magic’s Evan Fournier and the Rockets’ Victor Oladipo might be the best available options, writes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. New York figures to be active on the trade market and has numerous assets to offer, with 10 picks in the next three drafts and only four players with guaranteed contracts beyond this season. Vorkunov offers a few other ideas for potential targets, such as Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr., Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica, Thunder guard Kenrich Williams and Pelicans guard J.J. Redick.
- The Knicks have played four home games in front of fans and are hoping to increase the crowd size at Madison Square Garden before the season ends, Berman reports in a separate story. The building is currently permitted to operate at 10% capacity, which is about 2,000 fans, and Knicks officials have contacted state political leaders about relaxing that restriction as more people get vaccinated.
With $15 million cap room and 10 draft picks next 3 years, Knicks can do much better than getting those guys like Otto Porter, Redick, Oladipo etc…
Who are they getting then? Do not say Zach Lavine cuz I’ll laugh at you.
Problem is no star players want to play for the Knicks anymore, and it will probably stay that way until they get a new owner.
Leon Rose and World Wide Wes have a lot more clout than Dolan. The real problem will be players not wanting to come to a team that isn’t a title contender, which the Knicks are still a few years away from, and shouldn’t jump the gun and make a bad play like Oladipo to try to get there quicker.
I don’t know about more clout. Two words from Dolan and both Rose and Wes will be looking for another job. So you can’t really say they have clout. They might have more respect from players, but the owner is still the top dog.
Winning will solve that problem. The big New York market combined with a winning team will offset the Dolan problem.
Agree with hiflew. I hate Dolan and think he’s definitely keeping some players away, but if they can start winning, they become a much better destination. If you can get one star, others might follow.
Ha. Knick haters are funny. These snowflake players can play in any small market city and get paid the same money as a big market city. These snowflakes would melt under the hot lights in the garden in front of the greatest fans in the sport. Knicks don’t need a new owner, the sport needs to get rid of the salary cap and let the small market teams fold. I know, I know, truth hurts. Sorry.
The truth?— Not what you’re describing. You wish what is NOT happening. Call it what it is. Sorry.
Ok Lebron. Whatever you say!
NY won’t get Oladipo, he wants to go to a contender. They won’t get anyone better than him, or even as good.
Oladipo has been trash this year and hasn’t been more than decent in 3 seasons.
Knicks could get nothing and it would better than Oladipo
The only name on that list I like for NY is Bjelica
Let’s face it, a deal for any of those players mentioned won’t get the Knicks a win in the first round, provided they make it.
They need to stay the course, keep the cap flexible, and continue to collect good (not Knox, Frank N) players via the draft. Those picks slowed their progress, and the KP injury and trade didn’t help, either.
Redick has that heel issue. Stay away.