New York Knicks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Knicks Increasing Efforts To Move Joakim Noah

January 29th, 2018 at 11:33am CST by Luke Adams

JANUARY 29: The Knicks are “exploring avenues” to part with Noah, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, who tweets that the veteran center had a heated verbal exchange with Jeff Hornacek during a practice last week.

If New York can’t find a trade partner willing to take on Noah, waiving him and stretching his contract is an option. Last month, we broke down the impact of such a move on the Knicks’ salary cap.

JANUARY 26: Joakim Noah is currently away from the Knicks for what the team is calling “personal reasons,” and sources tell Marc Berman of The New York Post that the veteran center is unhappy with his situation in New York. As a result, the Knicks have “ramped up” their efforts to trade Noah, reports Berman, citing a source.

Noah, like fellow center Willy Hernangomez, has seen his role reduced this season due to the Knicks’ frontcourt logjam. Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn have been the team’s primary centers for most of the 2017/18 campaign.

With O’Quinn and Kristaps Porzingis sidelined on Tuesday against Golden State, Noah had been hoping to see increased minutes. However, he only played sparingly in garbage time and was “visibly upset” after the game, according to Berman, who suggests that the incident may have triggered Noah’s departure from the team. Berman adds that the veteran center might not rejoin the Knicks until next Thursday.

While a trade may be a preferred outcome for both the Knicks and Noah, it’s hard to imagine the team finding a trade partner willing to take on the big man’s massive contract. Noah, who has a cap hit of $17.765MM for 2017/18, will still have two years and about $37.83MM in guaranteed money left on his deal after this season.

In previous trade talks, the only way the Knicks could get another team to consider taking on Noah was by attaching their 2018 first-round pick, according to Berman. New York’s front office is very much against giving up that first-rounder, which looks increasingly likely to be a lottery selection, so a Noah deal appears to be a long shot. Nonetheless, the Knicks plan to ask teams around the NBA about the idea as the trade deadline nears, says Berman.

Knicks Rumors: RHJ, O’Quinn, Lee, Dotson

January 29th, 2018 at 10:15am CST by Luke Adams

The Knicks have inquired about Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, an NBA source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post. However, Brooklyn asked for a first-round pick in exchange for the Hollis-Jefferson, and with the Knicks likely headed for the lottery, that pick is “virtually untouchable.”

In addition to wanting to hang onto that first-rounder, the Knicks’ front office is “vehemently opposed” to taking on any more bad contracts, writes Berman. I imagine the only exception would be if another team was willing to take on Joakim Noah‘s deal — in that scenario, the Knicks may be open to absorbing an unwanted contract that perhaps isn’t quite as bad as Noah’s.

While New York is receiving more calls about Willy Hernangomez than any other player, sources suggest to Berman that Kyle O’Quinn and Courtney Lee are more likely to be dealt. Lee, in particular, has generated increasing interest recently, though Berman says that the Knicks won’t move him unless they get “significant value” in return.

Here’s more out of New York:

Most opposing executives and scouts surveyed by Fred Kerber of The New York Post believe that the Knicks should approach the deadline as sellers, looking to collect more assets. However, that view wasn’t unanimous — one opposing team official advocated for an attempt at a playoff push, though he cautioned that the Knicks shouldn’t move their first-round pick “under any circumstance.”
Al Iannazzone of Newsday takes a closer look at the Knicks’ prime trade candidates, with the deadline fast approaching.
The Knicks have been reluctant to send lottery pick Frank Ntilikina to the G League to get him extra work, but playing with the Westchester Knicks is paying off for fellow rookie Damyean Dotson, Berman writes in an article for The New York Post.

Knicks Recall Damyean Dotson

January 28th, 2018 at 10:45pm CST by Austin Kent

The Knicks recalled Damyean Dotson from Westchester, the team’s public relation’s department tweeted. Dotson has averaged 2.8 points in 21 games with the big league club so far this season.

Hornacek Finds Positives In Knicks Recent Road Trip

January 28th, 2018 at 2:50pm CST by marksuleymanov

While the Knicks went 3-4 on their recent road trip, head coach Jeff Hornacek took several positives out of the stretch, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. With the trade deadline approaching, several Knicks may be on the move, but Hornacek was pleased with Lance Thomas‘ defense, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke‘s tenacity, and Enes Kanter‘s toughness.
The Knicks cut ties with assistant coach Josh Longstaff (a personal favorite of Kristaps Porzingis) in the offseason and he is now finding G League success as the head coach of the Erie Bayhawks, Bondy writes in a separate story.

Dotson Assigned To Westchester

January 27th, 2018 at 10:43pm CST by clarkcrum

Damyean Dotson has been assigned to the Knicks’ G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, according to an official tweet from the team. Dotson has averaged 17.9 points per game in 11 games with Westchester this season.

Knicks Notes: Burke, Ntilikina, Kanter

January 27th, 2018 at 11:02am CST by marksuleymanov

After his recent G League call-up, Trey Burke has provided a spark for the Knicks which is raising questions of whether he should play more often. Marc Berman of the New York Post writes that Burke, who scored 18 points for a second straight game in Friday’s win over the Suns, has impressed thus far.

In six games, Burke has averaged 9.3 PPG and 3.8 APG. With rookie Frank Ntilikina struggling and veteran Jarrett Jack also on the roster, it’s to question whether or not the former lottery pick Burke, 25, should see more playing time.

“I’m satisfied we won, but I got to be ready to play,” Burke said. “Guys are required to produce when their number is called. If you’re not locked in as you need to be, you saw some of my possession that I had. My teammates stuck with me. My coaches stuck with me, and I played through it, and we rolled with what was working.’’

Head coach Jeff Hornacek added that when Burke plays this well, “we got to find time for him.”

Check out other Knicks news below:

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News argues that while Burke is worth a long look, his opportunity should not come at the expense of the rookie Ntilikina. Isola writes that while Burke and Jack are solid players who fill a role, Ntilikina should be given the keys to the kingdom and take over as the starting point guard after the All-Star break.
Things got heated in the Knicks’ win on Friday between Enes Kanter and Suns guard Devin Booker, per ESPN. Booker was ejected after he shoved Kanter, earning his second technical foul. After the game, the issue went to Twitter with Kanter calling out Booker; teammate Jared Dudley fired back at Kanter in a series of tweets.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/25/18

January 25th, 2018 at 6:00pm CST by marksuleymanov

Here are Thursday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

The Hawks have assigned Tyler Cavanaugh and Isaiah Taylor to their G League affiliate in Erie, the team announced in a press release. Taylor and Cavanaugh have both appeared in 30+ games for the Hawks.
The Bucks have recalled forward D.J. Wilson from their G League affiliate in Wisconsin to join the NBA squad, the team announced on Twitter.
The Knicks recalled guard Damyean Dotson from their Westchester affiliate, the team tweeted. Dotson has appeared in 20 NBA games during his rookie season.
The Lakers have recalled rookie big man Thomas Bryant and Croatian center Ivica Zubac from the G League, the club announced today. Bryant (20 games) and Zubac (eight games) have seen a bulk of their action in the G League this season.

Knicks Notes: Beasley, Walker, Noah

January 25th, 2018 at 5:02pm CST by marksuleymanov

Michael Beasley has enjoyed a renaissance season of sorts for the Knicks this year. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is on a one-year minimum deal and has already begun to think of his future beyond the 2017/18 season, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes.

Beasley has bounced around to six different teams in his career. Prior to the Knicks’ loss to the Warriors earlier this week, Kevin Durant — Beasley’s former high school teammate — raved about Beasley’s skill set and said he would like to team with him in Golden State. Instead, Beasley said that he is focused on the Knicks and settling down in one place for the rest of his career.

“One thing I do think about it is me being tired of moving — having a long-time home,’’ Beasley added. “I don’t want to move anymore.’’

In 41 games (seven starts), Beasley has averaged 12.8 PPG and 5.0 RPG for New York. As the Knicks prepare for the February 8 trade deadline, the team’s moves, or lack thereof, could be an indicator of where Beasley fits into future plans.

Check out other Knicks news and notes below:

Joakim Noah has taken a leave from the team, citing personal reasons, and is expected to miss the Knicks’ next two games, Berman relays in a separate story. With Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle O’Quinn missing the Knicks’ contest against the Warriors on Tuesday, Noah only played briefly in the fourth quarter. Noah has appeared in just seven games this season as the Knicks have managed a surplus of players at the center position.
While acquiring Kemba Walker would be an instant upgrade, the Knicks should not swing a trade if it means giving up young talent or draft picks, Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders writes. Walker, a New York native, has enjoyed some historical performances at Madison Square Garden; he was also one of just four players in 2016/17 to average at least 23 points, five assists, and three treys made per game. But Walker alone does not solve New York’s issues and is therefore not worth a significant package of picks and talent, Beer opines.

Kyler’s Latest: Nuggets, Whiteside, Mavs, Kings

January 25th, 2018 at 4:02pm CST by Luke Adams

Nuggets veterans Kenneth Faried and Emmanuel Mudiay could be had in trades at this year’s deadline, league sources tell Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, who suggests that the asking prices for those players likely wouldn’t be too high. I identified both Faried and Mudiay as potential trade candidates in my look at the Northwest on Wednesday.

If the Nuggets become a seller, Will Barton would also be a very intriguing trade chip, Kyler writes. However, that may be wishful thinking on the part of rival teams. Denver currently holds a playoff spot in the West and Barton has played the second-most minutes on the club, so it seems unlikely that the Nuggets would move him. Ultimately, the team may not end up trading anyone — Kyler suggests there’s a sense around the NBA that Denver isn’t looking to make a deal as aggressively as several other teams.

Here’s more from Kyler:

Sources close to the Heat acknowledge that teams have called about Hassan Whiteside, but say he probably won’t be made available at the deadline, writes Kyler.
The Mavericks “have had eyes” for Julius Randle, and would be a potential trade partner for L.A. if the Lakers move the big man. Kyler refers to Dallas a “open for business” in terms of trades.
According to Kyler, the prevailing thought around the NBA is that Willy Hernangomez is the player most likely to be moved by the Knicks, though he’s unlikely to net a significant return.
While many league insiders think Nikola Mirotic will end up in Utah, the Jazz don’t currently seem to be on board with sending a first-round pick to the Bulls, says Kyler.
Team sources tell Kyler that Garrett Temple and Zach Randolph are more likely than not to finish the season in Sacramento, but the Kings have been “very open and receptive” to trying to find their veterans new homes.
Although the Magic are viewed as a team that could be active at the deadline, the team is reluctant to take back long-term salary and would be happy to ride out the season and make changes in the summer if necessary, per Kyler.

Courtney Lee Has Been Through Trade Rumors Before

January 24th, 2018 at 9:46pm CST by Arthur Hill

After a decade in the league, Knicks guard Courtney Lee isn’t easily affected by trade rumors, relays Anthony Rieber of Newsday. Lee is scoring a career-best 13.7 points per game, but there have been whispers that New York may send him to a contender before next month’s trade deadline. “I’ve been in this league 10 years, been traded a couple times,” Lee said. “It’s nothing new. Only thing you can do is control what you can control, show up, be professional, do your work, go hard and leave it all out on the floor and whatever happens happens. I understand a lot about this NBA. It’s a business first and foremost. It comes with the territory, so I definitely understand.”