The point guard position remains a priority for the Knicks both in the short and long term, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who says that Lonzo Ball is higher on president of basketball operations Leon Rose‘s wish list than Victor Oladipo.
The odds of making a trade for Ball look slimmer now than they did a month or two ago. The former No. 2 overall pick has played well, and Will Guillory of The Athletic says he’d “really be shocked” if the 23-year-old doesn’t remain in New Orleans at least through the trade deadline. Still, Ball’s restricted free agency looms, putting the Pelicans in a tough spot.
As John Hollinger of The Athletic notes in his conversation with Guillory, New Orleans is only about $20MM away from next season’s projected tax line, so accommodating a lucrative new deal for Ball will be a challenge, especially if the team also wants to re-sign Josh Hart. According to Berman, the Knicks – who will have plenty of cap room available this summer – would be “heavily on Ball’s radar” in restricted free agency.
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York-based teams:
- The Knicks still aren’t sure exactly when Derrick Rose will clear the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to head coach Tom Thibodeau. “He’s feeling a lot better,” Thibodeau said, per Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic (Twitter link). “… As soon as he can get back on the court we can let everyone know, but you just gotta follow the protocol.”
- The Nets will be missing two of their stars for Wednesday’s game in Indianapolis, as Kyrie Irving (right groin soreness) has been ruled out (Twitter link). Kevin Durant (hamstring) also remains on the shelf, and Blake Griffin (injury management) also hasn’t been given the green light to make his Brooklyn debut.
- As Zach Braziller of The New York Post writes, the Nets are looking forward to an emotional reunion on Wednesday with Pacers guard Caris LeVert, who has had an eventful two months since being traded to Indiana. LeVert underwent surgery to treat renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, but is already back on the court for the Pacers. “We’re really proud that Caris is returning to play here,” Nets head coach Steve Nash said. “He’s incredibly well-loved in this organization, a world-class human being, a terrific basketball player. There’s no doubt everyone here is rooting for him.”
Any NBA exec who has Oladipo above Lonzo Ball, especially for the “long term,” should be out of the league and in this peanut gallery.
All this talk about the New York Knicks desperately needing a PG continues to show they needed Halliburton in the draft.
It shows they can’t draft how many chances they had to draft a Pg
That tends to happen when you change coaches every yr. And GMs and a chaotic owner. It’s a new day now. Same roster new results should tell you that.
No one here was higher or pushing more for Halliburton in draft than me. I was doing it before posters knew who Halliburton was. But I don’t pass on Obi1. He’s a real talent. It’s our good fortune Randle has finally seen the basketball light. Toppin makes us deeper or can be used in a future move. Don’t give up on him. There arePG solutions out there. Don’t let small success blind you of big picture. We are competing with two best teams in East without our whole roster. Another scorer and a traditional PG like Ball. Puts us with top teams in East. I’m not sold on Ball. Last yr I would have said yes. Just don’t want to make panic moves now. We will address it in time. I’m sure Knicks will do something. Just don’t need to go all out now. Rebuild
Or trade up to take Lamelo, as was the gossip back then. Halliburton fell to 12, just about any team could have put a deal together to trade up – he’s been the hidden gem of the class so far.
Up until DRose, the Knicks haven’t found any decent play in that position for a loooong time.
I thought Halliburton falling to them was a gift…that was the pick.
2021 nba draft
My Trade value evaluation
LaMelo is worth 3rd pick
Lonzo is worth 7th pick
Oladipo is worth 35th pick
Now Lonzo value is equal to 5 Oladipo guys
As I said, Dipo is worth a garbage expiring contract plus 35th pick
Do not tell his mama that.
Of course anyone who has no clue about the Rockets or Oladipo would say something so ridiculous. He had his best game of the season yesterday (with Indy or Houston) and has scored 20 or more in his last six games.
Because as a Bucks fan, I haven’t been watching Oladipo’s career for the last how many years?
You only rate him as high as you do because he’s a Rocket and you’re a homer. A team might caugh up more than Silly is suggesting, but you’re not going to be getting anything to boast about.
… but I’m sure we’ll be reading how great the package for Oladipo is from you, whatever expiring contract and C-level “prospect” the Rockets end up getting out of this.
He still doesn’t move with authority. I guess a fanatic who never played wouldn’t see that. You really should watch a player physically. Who’s had injury history dude. It’s not about stats. Players can do that on memory. But real athletic movement means real talent still there. This is sports you need wheels.
Amen.
– Larry Bird
Man what a heartbreaker for NO last night
This teams needs shooting and a new system/coach
I liked their outlook sans Adams last year a lot better playing small/fast. I get the idea of wanting a personal bodyguard for Zion w Adams just dont think it has worked well inside the 92 by 50 ft arena – Think a stretch 5 opens up the paint a lot better for this team… Adams, even in decline, can probably still be moved one last time without too much repercussion
The teams who have a need for a guy like Adams don’t have the cap room or assets to trade for him. The only ones that might work in a way would be to Cleveland for Love or to Toronto for Lowry, but the latter would probably require them sending a pick as well.
There just aren’t a lot of places to match Adams’ overpaid salary and not cause other problems.
Next year when he kicks down to 17 mill per should be an easy match preseason –
Wasn’t really talking next 8 days but you are correct it would be hard to match this year
All things staying the same; 6 months from now I think Kcp +filler in the offseason for Adams makes a lotta sense both ways if Lakers cant find a suitable C option.. There’d be plenty of others as well. even tho the 2/34 is underwater, an avg center is just so hard to find these days
Wasn’t someone saying not long ago that it was a tribute to Thibodeaux discipline that the Knicks were one of the teams who hasn’t been hit by COVID protocols?
Either that means that Rose is undisciplined (which, considering his history of conditioning to get back into the NBA is not so likely) or this COVID thing is just really crafty.
Rose is out due to death in his close circle. Not all about protocol really.
Knicks should stay clear of both VO and Ball, at least until the summer. Ball plays the right position, and is the right age, to be that illusive 3rd star / foundation piece for the Pelicans. If they are not buying into him on that basis, it’s got nothing to do with the tax line. Only with great caution should a team sign a player because they think the player’s existing team misevaluated him. That’s, at best, a 10% possibility.
Couldn’t agree more. He’s been up n down. And his character has been questioned. We don’t need that after diva Mello. Dinwiddie is a better catch plus he already can handle NYC. And would love to beat Nets. I would definitely check out other options.
Love the passion Knicks are playing with
The coaching is top notch
But I worry, tied game, 3 mins left, who’s getting the buckets…..
It’s not Randle in the short, medium, or long term
I know the stats are gangbusters, but watching this guy down the stretch I still have zero regrets he left the Lakers….. Knicks just need to catch 1 small little break soon, hard work, passion ,good coaching, solid rotation players still only get you so far in this game (1st rd exit)
I think Randle would get the ball, maybe mostly as a default. He can get you a good shot and is pretty reliable, but if they had a better option, they’d use one. In that vein, I think with a final possession and the game on the line, Rose would probably be out there getting the last shot.
But yeah, one of the Knicks biggest problems is not having great shooting across the board or a big-time reliable scorer. Maybe RJ develops into that next year.
Two biggest moves they can add to this team. Is a consistent scorer-shooter, wing 2-3. And a traditional PG, a floor general. That gets us to next level. A major player is still a play for us. FA, a trade, draft all are huge for Knicks. TD to be honest I’m not sure what they will do. I just know they will do something.
Wow a compliment for Thibs …. you on DROH
We are rebuilding bro. When you gonna see that. You are right another scorer is what they need. All in due time. Let’s see what TD brings in. Remember this, 3 picks in top 32 next yr. All in due time. Thibs has been here 41 gms lol. Let’s enjoy the rebuilding.
Ive said nothing but good things about the Knicks all year and have enjoyed their season to date very much so…… Nothing in my post suggests anything needs to happen in the next 8 days….the 1 small break can be said for any team on the rise and is just a slight ode to the fact I think they have been unlucky, and furthermore, unfairly chastised by the media the last couple years
It’s why the Knicks Achilles heal is the last 3-5 mins of close games. Defensive effort and preparation won’t provide the same separation from their opponent at the end. So, they need more and better offense, from more places. They don’t have it right now, and the offense they run through Randle (particularly with a traditional C) will make it a challenge to develop. Barrett has a very diversified skill set, but he’s not the natural shooter that would most easily complement Randle.
Yea watching the Nets and 6ers games it really showed – They can hang for 44 mins w grit/coaching/passion but there’s just nothing exciting at the end to throw the last punch. Default, like Rct said, is exactly the word I feel watching Randle in those situations
I was not sold on Randle after last yr. But was not ready to give up on him. Never did I expect this kind of turnaround. He’s only been here 105 gms, thru three coaches. Same for RJ at 20 yrs old. Thibs is first real coach they have seen in NY. This yr they are showing they are part of core. They are the core along with Mitch. Knicks have some good pieces. You are not going to build a team in 41 gms. This yr is about building a core. Playoffs was secondary. You play to win gms, that’s what good coaching does. Building a team a playoff team a contender. Takes time and commitment. We have the coach. We have the youth. We have the talent. We have to still add to it. We have the TD. We have FA, trades, draft. We have plenty of time and assets to do this right. And to do it with young talent. Which is the Best Way to build a contender. It’s Thibs first yr here. 90% of so called experts had us winning 25 gms. We are doing this on our time. We don’t care what others think ….. bunch of think tanks out there. Knickerbocker basketball is coming back. Old school … thru the draft, Youth.