In a story for The New York Post, Marc Berman describes how the Knicks came to terms with free agent Evan Fournier while the veteran wingman is in the midst of an Olympic run with the French national team. Berman writes that Fournier’s relationship with former Magic head coach Steve Clifford, a close friend of Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, likely played a part in the Knicks’ decision to pursue the 6’7″ wing.
“I’d bet the Knicks signed him because Clifford raved to Thibs about how much Fournier wants to win and is about all the right things,’’ a source from Orlando told Berman. “Cliff says that Fournier is one of the toughest players — mentally and physically — that he’s ever coached.’’
We have more news from the Knicks:
- In a separate article, Berman writes that Jericho Sims, the athletic center out of Texas taken with the 58th pick, is likely to receive a two-way contract, thereby limiting him to a maximum of 50 games with the Knicks. Sims is set to play for the Knicks in Summer League.
- According to Ian Begley of SNY, Taj Gibson – who agreed to a one-year, minimum-salary contract to stay in New York – had significant interest around the league, but the Knicks sold him on his importance to their culture and the team’s development going forward.
- Begley also writes that the Knicks and Mavericks were interested in exploring a sign-and-trade for wing Reggie Bullock earlier in free agency, but that it’s unclear if such a deal has been pursued since Bullock committed to the Mavs.
- All of the contracts the Knicks agreed to on Monday — Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, and Evan Fournier — will be not fully guaranteed in their final year, Begley reports. Rose, Burks, and Noel will sign for three years apiece, while Fournier agreed to a four-year deal. Begley erroneously reported on Monday that Burks’ three-year deal was fully guaranteed.
- Finally, Begley writes that with the Knicks are interested in pursuing another point guard with their remaining cap space. Dennis Schroder and Reggie Jackson remain the two most prominent names on the point guard market.
The way Reggie Jackson plays he’ll be appreciated in NYC.
Reggie Jackson would fit nicely on the Knicks on a 1/1 deal. They still have ~5m in cap space could waive Vildoza to create another 3.5. One way or another they need another PG.
I think Reggie and Rose could even play together some Derrick is better than ever off the ball a surprising good defender and increasingly decent shooter
Cut Vildoza, you’re joking right?
Knicks would like to SNT Schroeder and Reggie Jackson. Smart move
Both players are nice but why would either one leave Los Angeles
Doubt the Lakers can afford Schroder.
You know what could work. Sign him for one yr 25 mill. Then trade him to Cavs for Love. Cavs can now move Sexton. Why not lol
When one of them turns down a 4/80M offer, way beyond their worth, yeah, they’re leaving LA, but not on their own terms.
I can see Jackson, but I doubt Schroder would sign with the Knicks unless he wants to sign a smaller deal to rebuild value.
I like what I saw from him this yr. But I wonder if he’s healthy and can keep that up. Seems his best like Rose. Coming off bench. Clippers would be dumb to let him walk. They could’ve used Bullock in three way to get Dinwiddie. Why not ??
Knicks still need a starting PG. If they want to make noise in the playoffs. And take the next step forward. Right now it’s looking like a trade later. But Schroeder could hold it down for a yr, at ML. But they could also swing a trade with Toppin and Quickley. Who knows Sexton could be back in play. Honestly I’d rather have Schroeder
Wizards sign Dinwiddie $60m and ask for Nets to pay luxury tax
Knicks can sign Schroeder $60 million and ask Lakers to pay luxury tax
Silly I thought you were the Cap expert on this board.
Come on man.
Schroeder turned down 80M. He’s dumb enough to believe someone will pay more, thus his impending stay as a free agent.
Is selling a guy on his importance to the team’s culture really the best way to preface an offer for the minimum? It may be.
Fournier is a tough guy? That’s never jumped out at me, although that might just be due to him being French.
Schroder? We have, at most, 7-9 mm of cap space left. LAL would likely want a TPE more than players under contract, and the deal can’t have a S&T (hard cap) back to them. Jackson isn’t a good enough defender, and his skill set isn’t the one lacking. He should go back to the LAC, who has his EBRs.
Oh yea, Lakers would want the TPE and Tpe only and the Knicks seem to be about 5~7 mill (reasonably away ) of getting an outright sign so it’s a bit tricky at the moment –
Maybe a 3 teamer could be done but I just don’t see what (tradeable) salary Knicks have to push it thru in most all scenarios –
It;s not time to panic yet for Dennis but I could se him bottoming out to full MLE when all said and done still
Full MLE would be cool for NWK but Dennis isn’t the type of dude Id want to wait on if I could get a bird in hand or if the deal/numbers had firm roots today
*or = unless
I could also see Schroeder being rolled into that Westbrook trade later but not for value (or a player) like a lot of Laker fans want/desire/dream of but that TPE could be valuable paired w THT potentially later
Nyk could jump in there somehow or another team
We have no real tradable salary other than Knox at 5.8 mm (assuming recent draft picks aren’t in play). We could move Knox (if Calipari let’s us), but it’s still 12-15 mm at most. Neither is a long term solution so I’m guessing the NYK aren’t long term for them either.
Releasing Luca is a message board / Berman thing. While Luca was well paid (last season) to give us this continuing option for 3 years, he didn’t do it just for the $$, he was sold that the team control being the path to getting a real shot to make the team. He’s owed at least one camp with the team he signed with.
What’s the over/under on the number of other deals that will eventually be rolled into the Westbrook trade?
I think we will see an add on for sure in that trade in some regards –
Just helps with housekeeping for everyone …Wizards or Lakers won’t benefit much it will just be to accommodate others – LAL will be just fine w only getting the TPE
The Bluff has been called by 30 teams w Dennis, now the doors opening for teams to actually pay attention come day 3, the day before the moratorium ends, and only the gristle is left
I think Dennis had a tough year considering, Thibs could probably find his sweet spoy in a mercenary role
Taj is a Thibs guy all the way. Taj is great for us. Gotta love our hometown guys.
He’s a real humble dude too, plus he has been hooping way better than people realize for a long while. Loved him as a Bull back in the day he was glue on the floor.
Absolutely. If team culture matters (and it does), then the guys who embody it and spread it matter too. Taj is a prototype of the type of player the Knicks want under this regime. Glad they made that clear to Taj.
Berman and media are playing up. Too much money or big contract angle on Fournier. Like Knicks are spending so much on him. NONSENSE
First he’s making 19 mill for 3yrs. 4th not guaranteed. Second McDermott got 42 mill for 3yrs. That’s 14.33 mill a yr. For a bench shooter with no D. Duncan just got 18 mill for 5 yrs. No media has made a money issue about these contracts. Do we see an angle here.
So I say all the time here. Think for yourself. You can look up videos and facts on your own. Don’t believe the Hype.
Personally I’ve been pulling for Fournier since last yr. Knowing he would be a FA. He’s perfect for us. And he’ll prove me right this yr. Love it when Knicks listen to me. Seriously he opens up floor for us. He shoots. Did I mention he shoots . Great move
Yep. Berman is a clown. Fournier’s deal is a good value for the Knicks.
Well, I didn’t really like any of those deals to be honest, but that was before I found out about the last year not being guaranteed. Definitely makes a big difference.
I do agree with Fournier being a really good fit for the Knicks.
Im thrilled to know about this non guaranteed years. This makes me like that deals way more.
About Schroder, tbh i rather give Quickley and Vildoza a chance at starting PG
Those non guaranteed years will let them control the cap when RJ and Randle’s extensions assumedly kick in. The team is committed to veterans for the next two years and Schroeder will give us more than vildoza IMO. If they can make it happen it makes sense.
I kinda understand. But i really dont like his game. Quickley maybe can develop some playmaking skills and Vildoza is a total gamble, but could be something.
Why is nobody mentioning Issah Thomas. He way better than anyone that’s left. Perfect fit a scoring point guard leader.
One of them signs with the Mavs. Calling it.
If NY signs Reggie Jackson – they will name a candy bar after him !