New York Knicks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Knicks Looking For “Unquestioned Upgrade” If Drafting PG At No. 9

May 15th, 2018 at 9:12pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Knicks didn’t move up in the lottery and ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has the team selecting Collin Sexton in his post-lottery mock draft. However, a source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post that they have yet to decide whether the Alabama product is an “unquestioned upgrade” over the point guards already on the roster.

The team selected Frank Ntilikina with the No.8 overall pick last summer. “Frank’s a better defender,’’ one NBA personnel director said. “And Collin can struggle with his shot.’’

New York’s preference is to take a small forward, though Berman notes that’s only the case if prospects are seen as equal. The available prospect with the highest upside may be the pick regardless of the player’s position.

The Knicks also have Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke in-house. Neither appears to be the point guard of the future in New York, though both should be near-locks to make the roster next season.

The option of passing on Sexton might not even present itself, as Alabama coach Avery Johnson believes Sexton will rise in the draft after working out for teams. “Nine range?’’ the former NBA player and coach said. “If they saw what I have seen, I’m not trying to promote my player [because] my reputation is on the line also. But if they’ve seen what I’ve seen, I don’t see how he gets past five.’’

Community Shootaround: Draft Lottery Scenarios

May 15th, 2018 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2018 NBA draft lottery will take place on Tuesday night, as we noted in our lottery primer earlier today. While the odds favor the Suns, there are 14 NBA teams that could ultimately end up with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, creating some fascinating drama.

In a piece for The Ringer on Monday, Paolo Uggetti broke down some of the most interesting potential scenarios for the draft lottery. As Uggetti observes, the two teams still alive in the Eastern Conference Finals have a chance to get some great news before they take the court on Tuesday, since the Cavaliers own the Nets’ first-round pick, while the Celtics will own the Lakers’ first-rounder if it lands at No. 2 or No. 3 overall. The possibility of one or both of those teams landing a top-three pick at the same time they’re looking to advance to the NBA Finals isn’t good news for the rest of the league.

Of course, the Sixers would keep that Lakers pick if it moves all the way up to No. 1. It’s currently 10th in the lottery standings, so the odds of it becoming a top-three pick are slim, but it would create some terrific drama if it lands in the top three, since the balance of power in the Eastern Conference could shift significantly depending on whether the pick ends up at No. 1 (Sixers) or Nos. 2 or 3 (Celtics).

Uggetti’s other intriguing scenarios include big-market teams like the Knicks and Clippers getting a top pick — L.A. could theoretically move into the top three while keeping a second lottery selection, courtesy of the Pistons. Uggetti points to the Magic or Kings getting the No. 1 pick as interesting scenarios too, since neither of those clubs has had much lottery luck in the last few years — despite several appearances near the top of the draft.

Outside of the teams we’ve already mentioned, the Grizzlies, Mavericks, Hawks, Bulls, Hornets, Pistons, and Nuggets all have a chance to land a top pick.

What do you think? What would be the most interesting draft lottery scenario? Which team deserves some good luck the most (or least)? Jump into the comment section below to share your thoughts!

Mike Woodson Not Returning To Clippers

May 15th, 2018 at 9:20am CST by Luke Adams

After serving as a top lieutenant for Doc Rivers in Los Angeles since 2014, Mike Woodson won’t be returning to the Clippers for the 2018/19 season, league sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). With Woodson out of the picture, the Clips will be seeking a “top-level, defensive-minded” assistant to replace him, Wojnarowski adds.

A veteran coach who has previously held the top jobs in Atlanta and New York, Woodson interviewed for the Knicks’ vacancy last month, but was never viewed as a serious contender to land that position. A reunion with the Knicks remains a distinct possibility, however, as Woodson indicated recently he’d be open to the idea of serving on David Fizdale‘s staff in New York. At the time, Fizdale was viewed as a frontrunner for the Knicks’ job, but hadn’t yet been hired.

Since formally being named the Knicks’ new head coach, Fizdale has reportedly started filling out his staff. Keith Smart and Nick Van Exel, two of Fizdale’s assistants in Memphis, are expected to join the Knicks as assistants.

As for the Clippers, it’s not clear yet who they’ll target as Woodson’s replacement, but it appears Rivers will return for at least one more year in L.A.

Ntilikina's Development Crucial Under Fizdale

May 13th, 2018 at 3:50pm CST by marksuleymanov

With David Fizdale as the new head coach, one important storyline to watch will be how he helps teenage point guard Frank Ntilikina develop, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Ntilikina was the Knicks’ first-round pick (eighth overall) under the previous administration last year and his development will be key to New York’s future.

Tough Childhood Prepared David Fizdale For Challenges

May 13th, 2018 at 11:44am CST by Arthur Hill

The tough conditions where David Fizdale grew up prepared him for any challenges he might face as coach of the Knicks, writes Howie Kussoy of The New York Post. Fizdale was raised in the South Central section of Los Angeles, where gang activity was common. Former WNBA star Tina Thompson, a childhood friend, said Fizdale had the character to survive his surroundings. “David was always seen as one of the guys who was always gonna be successful,” she said. “It was clear by his focus, how he went about his business. For the many young men in our area, he was different in that respect.”

Draft Notes: Ponds, Heron, Spellman, Melton

May 12th, 2018 at 10:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

After being passed over for the NBA Draft Combine, Shamorie Ponds of St. John’s is concentrating on team workouts to prove himself, writes Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog. The sophomore guard put up a 21.6/5.0/4.7 line for the Red Storm this season, but wasn’t among the 69 players who received combine invitations.

“For sure, I was most definitely upset,” he said. “I feel I deserved it.”

Ponds worked out today for the Cavaliers and has held a session with the Nets. Cleveland GM Koby Altman spoke with all the participants after the workout, and Ponds said he received positive feedback. “[Altman] said he really likes my game a lot, he really enjoyed watching it,” Ponds added. “There was great energy after the workout.”

Ponds still has workouts remaining with the Jazz, Pistons and Lakers and wants to reschedule sessions with the Knicks and Hawks that he had to cancel because of final exams. He will use the results of those workouts to determine whether to remain in the draft, a decision that has to be made by May 30.

There are more draft-related notes to pass on:

Today’s workout in Cleveland included three other prominent players in Auburn’s Mustapha Heron, Villanova’s Omari Spellman and USC’s De’Anthony Melton, Zagoria tweets. Heron also worked out Friday for the Nets along with Nevada’s Cody Martin, Georgia’s Kendrick Nunn, North Carolina’s Joel Berry and Stanford’s Reid Travis.
Michigan State’s Nick Ward had sessions with the Knicks and Thunder during the week and is set to work out for the Pistons this weekend, according to Brendan F. Quinn of the Athletic (Twitter link). Eight other teams have submitted requests to see the sophomore in action.
The Timberwolves brought in Rodney Bullock of Providence and Jalen McDaniels of San Diego State for a workout on Thursday, relays Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter link).
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz take a look at the best selections for each of the lottery teams if they land in the top three.

Eisley Likely To Be Retained As Assistant Coach

May 12th, 2018 at 9:21am CST by marksuleymanov

Among current Knicks assistant coaches, Howard Eisley is being “strongly considered” for David Fizdale‘s coaching staff, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley. One source tells Begley it’s even “highly likely” that Eisley is retained. However, no final decision has been made as Grizzlies assistant Keith Smart — who the Knicks recently got permission to interview — and Nick Van Exel remain strong possibilities to join Fizdale.

Knicks Expected To Hire Nick Van Exel As Assistant

May 11th, 2018 at 12:25pm CST by Luke Adams

New Knicks head coach David Fizdale is expected to hire Nick Van Exel to join his staff in New York, sources tell Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Like Keith Smart, who is also reportedly set to join the Knicks, Van Exel was on Fizdale’s staff in Memphis.

Knicks Notes: Kanter, O’Quinn, Defense, Noah

May 10th, 2018 at 10:11pm CST by marksuleymanov

Enes Kanter‘s future with the Knicks is up in the air as the center wields an $18.6MM player option for the 2018/19 season. Kanter has said throughout the year that he loves playing in the Big Apple and hopes to remain with the Knicks beyond the current season. Knicks general manager Steve Mills shares the same sentiment, as he said to MSG Network (via ESPN’s Ian Begley).

“Enes wants to be here in New York,” Mills said.

Kanter enjoyed a productive first season in New York, averaging a double-double of 14.1 PPG and 11.0 RPG in 71 games. New York acquired Kanter in the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder. In an otherwise forgettable season, Kanter’s performance was a bright spot and Mills indicates that it’s ultimately his option on whether or not he will call New York home in 2018/19.

“Really, it’s his [decision],” Mills said. “He has to choose to opt in.”

Check out more Knicks news and notes below:

Kyle O’Quinn may have played his last game with the Knicks, as he has his own player option decision to make. As Marc Berman of the New York Post reports, O’Quinn recently switched agents, going from ASM Sports to Mark Bartelstein — who also represents Kanter. O’Quinn praised the hiring of David Fizdale, stating he’s made a solid impression as a coach around the league.
The Knicks have been a poor defensive team in recent years, which was on full display this season. Fizdale said in his introductory press conference that defense will be emphasized under his leadership. That mindset will be necessary if the Knicks wants to compete again, Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes.
As we relayed earlier, despite his congratulatory remarks to Fizdale, embattled Knicks center Joakim Noah remains unlikely to regain a role with the club.

Stretch Provision Remains Most Likely Option For Noah

May 10th, 2018 at 10:10am CST by Arthur Hill

Joakim Noah sent a congratulatory message to David Fizdale this week, but it’s doubtful he will ever play for the new Knicks coach, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.

The most likely resolution to Noah’s time in New York is a stretch-provision waiver after September 1, Berman adds. Waiting until then would lock in his $18.53MM salary for next season and would allow the team to stretch the $19.295MM he is owed in 2019/20 over three years. That would open up about $12MM in cap room for next summer when the Knicks hope to be aggressive on the free agent market.

Before that happens, the organization will spend the offseason trying to find a team willing to trade for Noah, who played just seven games this season and ended the year on an extended leave of absence after clashing in practice with former coach Jeff Hornacek.

It’s possible that the team brings Noah into training camp before making a final determination, Berman states. Enes Kanter [$18.6MM] and Kyle O’Quinn [$4.3MM] both have opt-out clauses and could be lost in free agency, leaving Noah and rookie Luke Kornet as the only centers on the roster. The Knicks can wait until the cut-down date in mid-October without losing any of the benefits of stretching Noah’s contract.

“I’m not putting a ceiling on anybody,” Fizdale said during his press conference on Tuesday. “Whoever is on our team in front of me is going to get my full attention to investment. He’s obviously given me fits from back in the days. I’ve got some Noah nightmares from when he was in Chicago, some of those wars.”