Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose indicated the club is well-positioned to make a big trade and he’s ready to pounce when the opportunity arrives, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes.
“We’re going to be aggressive as far as knowing what’s going on and as far as being on top of things and looking at opportunities,’’ Rose said. “But at the same time, we’re going to be prudent and disciplined in decisions that we make that are going to take into account positives and negatives, short term, long term, all those factors in a decision-making process.’’
The Knicks own 15 picks in the next four drafts, which could come in handy in trade talks.
We have more on the Knicks:
- Players must be fully vaccinated to practice or play in New York City unless they are granted a religious or health-related exemption. That won’t be an issue for the Knicks, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. GM Scott Perry said everyone on the team and staff has received the shots. “They took this thing very seriously and took the responsibility to get that done,” Perry said.
- The club is taking a wait-and-see approach regarding Mitchell Robinson and contract extension talks, according to Berman. Robinson’s return from a broken foot is still “a work in progress,” according to Rose. That gives the front office pause in terms of an extension until Robinson returns to the court. “As far as a contract goes, we love Mitchell Robinson and we look forward to seeing him play,’’ Rose said.
- Kemba Walker was slowed by knee injuries over the last two seasons with the Celtics and coach Tom Thibodeau said Walker will have input regarding load management, Bondy writes. “This guy has managed his career a long time. So what’s the best for him? … Was it better for him (to sit in back-to-backs) in the end or was it not?” Thibodeau said. “So I think you have to take the information in, you have to talk to him, you have to see how it feels. You have to talk to the medical people and go from there. I don’t want him to limit himself in terms of what he can do.”
Load managed guys play in 60+ games if they are lucky enough to avoid the problem(s) that are the cause of the load management. The ultimate hope is that they are healthy for the playoffs. In my opinion, not money well spent and I would continue to use them in trades for current healthy players, future prospects or both. I include Kawhi as tradable even when “healthy.”
I always wondered how that concept would be received by MJ and players of the past. “MJ, why don’t you take a seat this evening and rest up.”
Or how about Wilt Chamberlain? Especially in the 1961-62 season.
He played in every game that year averaging 48.5 MPG. Insane.
That’s one of the few records in sports no one will ever break.
He also averaged 47.2 minutes per game during the playoffs. That’s for his entire career, in 13 trips to the postseason. Also unbreakable.
Don’t get me wrong 48.5 MPG is a lot ! But don’t compare a dude who played against plumbers, & factory workers to guys in this day and age.
Guys who could not hold a job?
I thought of him as well…great call out.
They have the same need as most teams, a dynamic Wing. They probably can afford to deal RJ, Knox, and Toppin to do so
Knox has no trade value and while I think he can eventually be a real contributor, Toppin doesn’t have much value, either.
Why wouldn’t Toppin have trade value. He just dominated the SL. He’s slimmer and how’s he gonna play over. The greatest statistical yr any Knick PF has ever had. You think cause a player sits. He now sucks ….. don’t think I have forgotten about Frank either. He will answer you this yr too. Knox seems to me to have motor issues. He’s complacent and safe where he is. Not really a pro player IMO. Could be his age. But at some point you have to overlook that too. Not all athletes even talented ones. Have the Kobe mentality. Knox is on his last leg in NY.
Toppin is still a huge question mark defensively. And dominating SL at his age is basically expected. Like it or not, when you reach Year 2 without having accomplished much your stock comes down a little, but especially for a guy in his position. He has value, but probably mid-to-late first value at this point. That’s not gonna be a game-changer in getting a star. He’d just be another possible asset.
He’s better than any PF drafted in his class. All he has to do is play and he will have plenty of value. Like ai said you think cause a player sits he loses value. Only fans could think that way. GMs know who has value based on talent. Yes they will try and use perceptions to get value. But no smart GM is giving Toppin away. No 4 has better game or potential from 2020 draft. Not Okongwu or Williams who went before him. Please
link to nba.com
“Reach year 2”? You mean a guy can be let go for a much lower pick after his rookie year? Not sure that ever happens. Rosas gets credit for letting go of Culver after only two years, but he was terrible, not making many FTs even.
Rose says he’s ready to deal which, the timing of that seems off. It’s like he is not happy with the current roster EITHER. But I did not have the impression fans were unhappy. Maybe a NY thing.
Moving RJ opens a hole at SG and EF would go where…? Not SG. He’d get destroyed on D. As rct mentioned, Knox has no value at all and Toppin is just a bad pick (Haliburton…) that needs to play for a team that has minutes for him.
Guy hasn’t played and he’s a bad pick ??
Another genius take by padaboom !!
Slow your roll there.
Toppin was a bad pick. Not cause of talent but because of roster construction. They had a glaring need at PG and Haliburton was right there for their taking. They’d be better off with Haliburton as their starting PG than Toppin as their backup PF.
Not what is being said…read it again. They selected Toppin without a position or minutes for him (which I stated he needs), whereas they had the chance to grab Haliburton and passed. I’m sure Toppin can play in this league, but with Randle in front of him it’s going to be difficult.
Knicks are one of deepest teams in NBA. Their second team is as good as any. It’s the starting 5 that needs to come together. Has two new guys and RJ is still growing as a player. Fournier is just what they needed. His shooting opens up the floor. Kemba is the wild card. He’s 90% or better and plays 74 gms. Then Knick’s can play with anyone. Top 4 in East is a tough one to get this yr. If all things go well. I see Knicks fighting for top 4 in East. This is still a young team. Mitch can be in DOY conversation. Our rookies can bring a lot. Toppin and Quikley tore up SL. We have plenty of assets to go after a talent too. There’s just no rush. For the geniuses here. This is Thibs SECOND yr coming. To a team 90% of you killed and dogged. So take it like Madonna and sing along.
So you’re saying the Knicks may have “Like a Prayer” of winning title #3?
Only fans think of winning. Knowledgeable fans just want to play the gms. It will tell us where we are going. Why would Knicks win anything after yr1 of Thibs. Knicks are still on rebuilding mode. Our time is coming. I’m just enjoying the ride. You should try that.
Personally I think the Fouriner deal was terrible and the Walker move was amazing.
The media like to make you believe someone is washed or no good just because they aren’t preforming at their best.
Kemba was all nba third team in 2019 and was still an all star 2020. He went from being the only good player in Charlotte averaging roughly 23 per game. To going to a really good Boston team, playing as the second or third option on offence and averaging just under 20. He’s had this two best ever seasons shooting free throws, his other shooting percentages haven’t dipped, he’s battled through injuries and he’s still great.
Fouriner on the other hand, he’s just a good shooter and decent role player that averages 14 points per game for his career, and has notoriously struggled in the playoffs. You just have him 18 mil a year for the next 3/4 years.
Dinwiddie, Duncan Robinson, Kelly Oubre, Josh Hart and THT all signed for less and would’ve been better signings.
In terms of trades they should be asking about TJ Warren. If fit Warren and Randle would make a really nice forward duo that would work well at both ends of the floor.
Yeah you know ball. Try looking up his stats. We only care what he does now. He’s one of best shooters in NBA. It’s called spacing the floor. And he’s never been a role player in his life. He’s been the starting SG since he became a starter. And you sign guys when they are peaking. Like Fournier is. He will get plenty of looks onnKnicks.
Hart sucks, Obrue sucks, Robinson can’t get his own shot yet. Dinwiddue why we got Kemba. cheaper. Warren also sucks si ce how could we get him. Try some applicable additions instead of just shouting out names. You know nothing about Knicks. Why would you even comment