If the Knicks decide to address their backcourt needs through the draft, Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis could be an attractive option with the 11th pick, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. New York had representatives at his Pro Day on Saturday and interviewed him at last week’s draft combine.
“It went really well,’’ Davis said. “It was nice to see familiar face [in coach Tom Thibodeau] and somebody who’s been part of the game for a while. It was amazing to talk to him after seeing what he’s done with a lot of teams. He’s a very recognized coach in the league. I heard from people he likes guys like [me]. So hopefully I can fit in with them and they’ll be invested in me enough to draft me.’’
Davis is a strong defender – which likely appeals to Thibodeau – and a reliable mid-range shooter, but he only connected at 30.6% from beyond the arc this season with the Badgers. Berman sees the Spurs, who hold the ninth pick, as the greatest threat to take Davis before the Knicks are on the clock.
There’s more from New York:
- The Knicks’ reported interest in Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson is legitimate, Fred Katz of The Athletic states in a mailbag column. Brunson could be the top point guard on the free agent market this summer, and his father, Rick, has strong connections with both Thibodeau and team president Leon Rose. However, Katz theorizes that the Mavs’ run to the Western Conference Finals could make them more eager to re-sign Brunson, who could command more than $20MM per year in a new contract.
- Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News sees the Knicks as one of at least eight teams with interest in Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon and examines the offers that each could make. For New York, he suggests a package of Alec Burks, Kemba Walker and a future protected first-round pick. Winfield would add Evan Fournier, Cam Reddish and another first-rounder if Indiana is also willing to part with center Myles Turner.
- RJ Barrett has reached an agreement to play for the Canadian National Team, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. It’s a three-year commitment that will run through the Summer Olympics in 2024, and it will begin with the next round of World Cup qualifiers in July.
Those trade offers are, pardon my french, BS. Why would Indiana accept all of NY’s trash for only 2 extra mid first round picks? Especially when they can probably get a better trade.
Yeah, doubt Indiana would make any of those trades. They’re in position to turn around quicker than the Knicks, so I definitely don’t see them postponing a ramp up for a couple of draft picks and Fournier’s Swiss cheese defense.
If they had cap issues I could see it but they don’t…and really don’t have much use for (near) cap as well (hard to atrract fa especially as a bad Indy team which they will be 24 as well)
Indy has signaled Heild/ and Brogs are not long term – They need to get max value here and can do that (per usual) by taking back a little bad money
Hield and Turner to Cha for Hayward + filler + picks
Brogs to NYK for Fourn+Kemba + picks
Maybe they can squeeze some young pre Rfa’s in like PJ and McBride too pending on picks
Indy’s going Looooong game and I kinda like it. Will be fun to watch the dominoes fall and see where we land in a couple years. They were so stale for so long with movement, this is a new sheriff tho
If Indy didn’t sign Hayward when he was a free agent, I doubt they’ll trade for him. Speculation was he’d have gone there, but they didn’t act on him.
Yeah, there’s no way the Pacers do any of those moves. Turner, Hield, and Brogdon all have value to contenders. You wouldn’t build around any of them, but they would all be clear upgrades for lots of contenders. Neither the Knicks, nor the Hornets should be targeting them, anyway. Brogdon makes sense for the Jazz, and Turner makes sense for the Lakers, Celtics, Bucks, or Nets. Hield makes sense for any team that wants a shooter off the bench, and is already over the cap. I don’t think the Pacers will want to take back any bad contracts for them, though, unless they get multiple first round picks or swaps.
Nobody in the world is giving multiple picks for any of those players. Be lucky to get one (Turner). Not even Euro ball is giving you multiple picks. You are delusional. And only player Knicks would be interested in is Turner. Pacers were a worse team than Knicks. And we had major injuries. Why on earth would we want Pacers ……
I’ll take that bet. Pacers will have more wins than the Knicks in 2022-23. Book it ya dunce.
I don’t think you are obtuse. You just have bad luck when thinking. Life is short lol get a life, start with a real thought.
Every move is on the table for Knicks.
Every free agent is on the table for Knicks.
Knicks and Lakers will be the most aggressive in trade market.
Is Brogdon worth multiple first round picks though? Detroit couldn’t seem to get 2 firsts for Jerami Grant this TDE and I’d argue Grant is a better (and less injury prone) player
The Knicks players may be trash but their 1st round picks are valuable for just that reason
The Mavs have full Bird rights on Brunson. So, once he becomes a free agent, their only limit is the max salary.
Knicks have to make good trades to acquire a good point guard.
What are the Dreams of Winfield in the Night?! :-) He has no clue..
Davis is really a very good player (despite the 3 pt % which I imagine would cause a stir in 2k land if we took him). Still, I’d rather not, since he’s not really a PG, and not generally a fit opposite Barrett on the wings. They could do worse at #11, though, but I’d prefer to trade down if that’s the option.
Brunson is a guy the NYK FO will always be interested in, but not to sign as a FA at his likely price tag. Things can happen, but they likely won’t. Hoping DAL steps up early so I don’t have to listen to the nonsense.
Brogdon is a contract that IND has been looking to dump since mid-season. Not sure where Winfield’s kid gets the idea that anyone would be trading a 1st to get him. Anyway, I’d listen because I liked the player when he was healthy. But that salary can’t just added in the out years.
But he looks kinda like John Starks, that has to help him somehow.
I hope Knicks don’t let Mitch Robison walk just to replace him with Duran or Williams.
I agree, keep Mitch if the price is close to reasonable. But, regardless, they shouldn’t draft a C in the 1st round unless they’re willing to wait a couple of years for him to play starter minutes. Rookies, all positions, often struggle defensively, but C’s, in particular, have a long lead time before they get NBA defense (year 3 usually). If Mitch leaves, they should sign another vet to platoon with Noel.
I think the Mavs need a beast in the paint. I think that’s what they wanted from KP but he wanted to be an outside shooter. If I were the Mavs, a sign and trade involving Brunson for Randle and add the little pieces on either side to make the salary work if needed. Mavs then go after Rubio as a FA to handle some of the other tough guards assignments.
Say what you want about Randle but he’s a beast that can bully in the paint despite a predictable post move and can create his on shot. With a real point guard to play with Doncic can create easier shots for Randle. He’s also a good passer from the post. spread the floor with a couple of shooters and I think they can flourish. The Mavs play a slower game with Luca on the ball. Randle gives him a solid go to partner in the post. Randle was a 20/10/5 guy. All he needs is a fresh start. Playing behind Doncic means he’s not the main guy. He can seek cover under a brighter star and be his Robin. Add to it all that he’s from Dallas. Bring him home.
I don’t hate this. Assuming Randle’s 3P% exists somewhere between the 41 he shot two years ago and the 30 he shot last season he has real potential as a 5 out center.
You’d have to imagine his shot quality would improve quite a bit if playing with Luka
For NY we finally get our “point guard” – Brunson isn’t much of a distributor but he’s a hardnosed dude who probably wouldn’t be offended whenever RJ has a great game
I dont think the mavs want julius randle. Maybe for THJ. Julius Randle is a negative asset.
@Kevin
Randle and the Knicks might both want a change but he is NOT a negative asset. His contract is digestible for most teams and he’s still a 20/20/5 guy whose been relatively healthy the last few years. A new change of environment may be what he needs.
Brunson wont be going anywhere. The god forsaken knicks signed a major free agent how long ago. Worst owner in the NBA . Coach despises gm. Players chafing to leave. Like mick said bite the big apple dont mind the maggots.
It would be a mistake to pay Brunson 20 mil and trade that for brogdon. Knicks should keep the cap space & wait out one of Mitchell or Zion.
Guaranteed one makes a trade request in the next year.
Pacers have been trying to move Brogdon for two yrs. He’s a combo guard to me. And best as the third guard. We don’t need that. That’s total smoke. The one they are interested in is Turner. Don’t see why Pacers would move him. Unless they want to go young. Therefore avoid paying him. I like Turner but wouldn’t overpay for him.
This board should know by now. Berman will say anything to get readers. He’s a Use2B. He should be banned from talking Knicks. Davis is a nice talent. I’d just rather have others. Agbaji is best 2 guard that will be available for us. I take him over Davis. But considering the chatter coming out of Combine. Knicks could be getting closer to Mathurin. Knicks should do all they can to trade up for him. He’s projected 7-11. Blazers need bodies to keep Dillard happy. Knicks 11th pick, Quickley, Burkes can help next yr, Kemba contract not guaranteed. Add a future 2bd rd pick. Plus it gives Blazers depth. Knicks get 7th pick (Mathurin) and Bledsoe. Get it done……..
Agreed on Brogdon – I’ll add that he’s also injury prone and turning 30 next year
Doesn’t scream point guard of NYs future to me
Seriously I want Mathurin in a bad way lols.
Sharpe, Dyson both moving up. Means
Top 6-8 picks are done. Mathurin is really getting closer to us.
TyTy is a player I also like. He will be a solid PG in NBA. The way he plays in control and a serious handle. He can start next yr imo. I would not be mad if we drafted him.
I like Duren but I believe he will be gone too. At 11 I can see Agbaji or TyTy there. I’d be happy with either.
Williams the center from Duke has also been rumored to be moving up. He tested well in combine. And his measurements were impressive. A real big Center, athletic.
Turner, Brogdon, and Brunson with RJ and Randle doesn’t crack the Top-4 in the East tbh.
These are all quality players but not one of these guys elevates them over the rest. Like theres no Jimmy Butler type player to take a bunch of quality dudes and elevate then to the top of the East. RJ just isn’t there yet and may never be that dude.
I mean the Pacers are not going to just accept NYK garbage either. Dumping Fournier would require a 1st in itself.
Add picks and maybe it gets done with the Pacers. Also who are you trading to the Mavs in a S&T that they even want? They already said they don’t want to do it.
If they did pull it all off, yes they are a playoff team. No they are not a contender for reaching the Finals until RJ becomes that dude.
Yup – the hypothetical Randle + Fournier for Westbrook move is a more strategic move than burning future firsts for Indiana’s good not great guys (assuming Indiana was even interested…)
The only immediate path for NY – save like IDK drafting the next Giannis at 11 this year – is: go all in on RJ and maintain max flexibility for if/when he shows the promise of being that dude.
Or go all in on getting into the play-in next season, either way
This click bait is so funny, It has already been reported here in Nyc that the knickerbockers are not, I repeat, not interested in Brogdon, and they site one of the many reasons being him being injury prone and still three years remaining on a contract that’s 22 plus million per year, and they also doubt he would survive Thibodeau’s system of extended playing minutes. You pacers fans are delusional if you think you’re gonna get much for Bragdon and ya’ll better pray he doesn’t break down this upcoming season!!!
Sorry to say Claudio but Brogdon is way better than any player NYK has got now or will have in the next couple years, so it would seem to me that the Knix can only dream about a player like him, would cost them a lot to get him!
If you describe any player as “that dude is a dog” that’s a Thibs guy and you’ll always see the Knicks linked somehow bc of that narrative. Butler, Draymond, Pre-MayaJamma Ben Simmons, Embiid, Pat Bev, Westbrick, Scary Terry, Royce O’Neale, Indiana PG13, Spurs Kawhi, Brunson, Pre-injuries Brogdon, Turner, Marcus Smart.