Hoops Rumors is breaking down the 2018 offseason for all 30 NBA teams, revisiting the summer’s free agent signings, trades, draft picks, departures, and more. We’ll evaluate each team’s moves from the last several months and look ahead to what the 2018/19 season holds for all 30 franchises. Today, we’re focusing on the New York Knicks.
Signings:
- Standard contracts:
- Mario Hezonja: One year, $6.5MM. Signed using mid-level exception.
- Luke Kornet: One year, $1.62MM. Signed using Non-Bird rights.
- Two-way contracts:
- Non-guaranteed camp contracts:
- Noah Vonleh: One year, minimum salary. $100K guarantee.
- Kadeem Allen: One year, minimum salary.
- Tyrius Walker: One year, minimum salary.
- Note: Jeff Coby has agreed to a camp deal with the Knicks but has yet to formally sign it.
Trades:
- None
Draft picks:
- 1-9: Kevin Knox — Signed to rookie contract.
- 2-36: Mitchell Robinson — Signed to four-year, $6.57MM contract. First two years guaranteed. Signed using mid-level exception.
Departing players:
Other offseason news:
- Hired David Fizdale as head coach to replace Jeff Hornacek; finalized coaching staff.
- Close to buyout agreement with Joakim Noah.
Salary cap situation:
- Remained over the cap.
- Carrying approximately $107.4MM in guaranteed salaries.
- Hard-capped at $129.82MM.
- $656K of mid-level exception still available ($7.99MM used on Mario Hezonja and Mitchell Robinson).
- Full bi-annual exception ($3.38MM) still available.
Check out the New York Knicks’ full roster and depth chart at RosterResource.com.
Story of the summer:
Head coaching changes are nothing new in New York, where David Fizdale is the 12th man to hold the position in the past 18 years, but there’s a sense of optimism that the Knicks may have finally found the right man. Fizdale had been among the hottest names on the coaching market since being fired by the Grizzlies last year and had interviewed with the Magic, Hawks, Suns and Hornets before accepting the job with the Knicks.
Fizdale was a highly regarded assistant with a reputation for relating to players before getting the opportunity in Memphis. He guided the Grizzlies to the playoffs in 2016/17 before getting fired early last season after an injury to Mike Conley caused the team to stumble to a 7-12 start. Fizdale also clashed with Marc Gasol, which he used as a learning experience in dealing with Kristaps Porzingis. Shortly after the Knicks hired him, Fizdale traveled to Latvia to meet with Porzingis and discuss his role with the organization.
Fizdale has moved quickly to put his stamp on a franchise that has endured five straight losing seasons and endless turmoil in its front office and coaching staff. He declared an open competition for all five starting spots and said even established players such as Enes Kanter and Tim Hardaway Jr. will have to earn their playing time during the preseason.
Despite the optimism that Fizdale brings to the franchise, he still faces an uphill battle in his first season on the Knicks’ bench. Porzingis’ status remains uncertain as he recovers from a torn ACL, and there have been suggestions that he may not play at all this season. Fizdale’s primary job will be to set a foundation for next year, when the Knicks hope to have Porzingis healthy and add a maximum-salaried free agent.