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Knicks Monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns, Who Says He, Thibodeau Resolved Differences

October 14th, 2023 at 8:43pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Timberwolves‘ trip to Madison Square Garden Saturday night carried a lot more intrigue that a normal preseason game. That’s because of a report from Stefan Bondy of The New York Post that the Knicks are monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns‘ situation in Minnesota in case he becomes available on the trade market.

A potential deal with the Wolves would reunite Towns with Tom Thibodeau, who coached him for two-and-a-half seasons in Minnesota. That was early in Towns’ career and their relationship was often tumultuous, but sources tell Bondy that Thibodeau would welcome the chance to coach Towns again.

“Watching the progress he’s made throughout his career, he’s as gifted as they come,” Thibodeau said. “When you look at an offensive player, particularly a big, the skill set that he has, I think we all saw, to win the three-point contest and stuff like that, there’s nothing he can’t do offensively. He has continued to get better, I think. He had some injuries to deal with. I watched him play in FIBA (the World Cup, for the Dominican Republic), he played really well there. He’s really, really gifted.”

Speaking to reporters before Saturday’s game, Towns admitted that he and Thibodeau clashed the last time they worked together, but added that they resolved their differences years ago, Bondy adds in another story. He didn’t go into details of what they talked about, but he expressed a high opinion of Thibodeau’s coaching abilities.

“I got no problems with Thibs. We’ve been squashed that,” Towns said. “I still look at Thibs as one of the best Xs and Os coaches I’ve been able to play for. He breathes winning and I got nothing but respect for him.”

Towns also refused to address any trade speculation, responding to a question by saying, “I don’t really have time to think about that.” 

Bondy points out that Towns’ connections to the team and the area make the Knicks a natural destination if the Wolves ever decide to move him. In addition to his familiarity with Thibodeau, Towns is a native of northern New Jersey and team president Leon Rose is his former agent.

Towns is one of the NBA’s best-shooting big men, but his sizable contract and a potential salary crunch in Minnesota could eventually make him available. Towns’ contract extension will kick in next season, paying him roughly $49.7MM, $53.7MM, $57.7MM and $61.6MM over the next four years. Adding that to the extension Anthony Edwards received this summer and the expected new contract for Jaden McDaniels gives the Wolves a very expensive payroll for a team that has been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the past two years.

Towns has also proven to be an awkward fit alongside Rudy Gobert, who was acquired in a trade last summer. Gobert is owed nearly $85MM over the next two seasons and has a $46.7MM player option for 2025/26, and he’s not likely to bring the return in a trade that Minnesota could get by dealing Towns.

With a roster filled with young talent and a stockpile of draft assets that can rival anyone in the league, the Knicks are well positioned to pursue the next star that becomes available. If that turns out to be Towns, the organization appears ready to consider an offer.

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Atlantic Notes: Quickley, Thibodeau, Raptors, Rajakovic

October 13th, 2023 at 11:18pm CST by Rory Maher

Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley, who was the runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year in 2022/23, is eligible for a rookie scale extension until October 23. He says he hasn’t been focused on a new deal, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

“That’s where my faith comes in,” Quickley said. “Really all up to God. I’m not going to lie, I’ve been fortunate to not even be worrying about it. It goes days, sometimes weeks, where I just forget about all that stuff. Unless somebody reminds me. So just coming in everyday and trying to get better is my main focus.”

Head coach Tom Thibodeau praised Quickley’s dedication and confirmed that he’s focused on improving and helping the team.

“You couldn’t even ask for anything more, and I think he’s been able to put that (contract stuff) aside,” Thibodeau said, per Bondy. “I think his agents handle that. He locks into basketball, and that’s where his focus lies: team, winning. That stuff will take care of itself, but the way he’s come in, the shape that he’s in, what he’s done, Quick is — I don’t care where he is in the offseason, but one thing I know he’s gonna be in the gym twice a day. Doesn’t matter what country it is. Doesn’t matter what city it is. None of that matters.”

Here’s more from the Atlantic:

  • In another article for The New York Post, Bondy argues that Thibodeau deserves a contract extension from the Knicks, not just for helping the team win, but for changing his coaching style and getting the most out of his players. Thibodeau’s deal expires after 2024/25, Bondy adds.
  • New Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic is focused on ball and player movement offensively, with cutting down on contested mid-range shots a point of emphasis, writes Eric Koreen of The Athletic. “We’re talking to our players a lot about quality of shots,” Rajakovic said. “Not every mid-range shot is a bad shot. There is a time and place when the defense is giving you certain coverage, when you catch the ball in good position and we want to take those shots. But those opportunities, usually (in) the game there (are) not a high number of those shots.”
  • As far as the Raptors‘ defense under Rajakovic, center Jakob Poeltl describes it as a “happy medium” between the highly aggressive blitzing style Nick Nurse utilized last season and more passive styles deployed by other teams. “I’d say it’s somewhere like a happy medium,” he said, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. “I think still, for us, just the type of players we have, we’re not going to get away from that aggressive identity. And I think it’s good for us. It’s good for our defense. But it’s a little bit more controlled I would say, a little bit more reserved at times maybe. Yeah, a little bit less of a gambling effect than we might have had last year.”
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New York Notes: Giles, Simmons, DSJ, Brunson, Hart

October 13th, 2023 at 8:59am CST by Luke Adams

It has been over two years since Harry Giles last appeared in an NBA game, so he isn’t taking his opportunity with the Nets for granted, writes Dan Martin of The New York Post. Sidelined since 2021 due to knee problems, Giles is vying for a roster spot on a non-guaranteed training camp deal.

“It’s amazing,” Giles said on Wednesday after making his preseason debut on Monday. “A dream come true. The whole game, I was just like in a different world, man. I was out there competing and having fun. Just smiling, man. It’s great to be back. It’s been a long time coming, so I’m blessed.”

Giles’ comeback efforts haven’t been lost on his teammates, who admire his perseverance to get back to the NBA. Starting center Nic Claxton referred to Giles’ return as “pretty motivating,” per Martin.

“Knowing his story, knowing where he’s coming from [and] seeing a guy like Harry sticking around and still grinding,” Claxton said. “He’s been physical and obviously he knows how to play. He’s been in the league, been around the league, for a while. I think we could definitely use him this year.”

With only 13 players on fully guaranteed contracts, the Nets could have two regular season roster spots up for grabs this fall and Giles strengthened his case for one of them on Thursday, scoring 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds (six offensive) in 21 minutes in Brooklyn’s victory over Maccabi Ra’anana.

Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:

  • Nets point guard Ben Simmons, coming off the back injury that ended his 2022/23 season, had another encouraging showing in Thursday’s preseason game, racking up six points, nine assists, and six rebounds in 22 minutes. “As he continues to stack days and games together, then his instinctive nature comes out,” head coach Jacque Vaughn said after the game, according to Martin.
  • Within the same New York Post story, Martin notes that Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. left Thursday’s contest due to a sprained left ankle. X-rays were negative, but Smith will undergo additional testing on Friday, per Vaughn.
  • Discussing his desire to win an NBA championship, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson told reporters that he doesn’t keep any of his awards – including his NCAA championship ring – around his house, since he doesn’t want to let those reminders of his past success make him complacent, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. “You never want to be too into yourself and think too highly of yourself,” Brunson said. “You want to be able to keep growing as a player and that’s just how I’ve been.”
  • Although the Knicks are bringing along Josh Hart slowly this preseason, he and the team insist he’s healthy and that the approach has just been about make sure his body feels good after a “long summer.” Braziller has the story and the quotes from Hart and head coach Tom Thibodeau.
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Knicks Notes: Sims, Hartenstein, Hart, McBride

October 12th, 2023 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

Jericho Sims was primarily used as a center last season, but it looks like he’ll see more time at power forward, writes Fred Katz of The Athletic. Sims logged most of his 26 minutes at the four during the Knicks’ preseason opener on Monday as Josh Hart sat out the game. Hart will be the primary backup to Julius Randle after New York traded away Obi Toppin this summer, but coach Tom Thibodeau plans to employ Sims in that role as well.

“We wanted to get a look at that with (Sims) on the floor,” Thibodeau said. “With Josh out and Julius playing limited minutes, it was a good opportunity for that.”

Katz notes that Sims played just 139 minutes last season alongside either Mitchell Robinson or Isaiah Hartenstein. Thibodeau may use those combinations more often against bigger lineups, even though it limits what the team can do on offense. The lack of spacing was a concern in Monday’s game, Katz observes, as Sims was left virtually unguarded in the corner as drivers encountered multiple defenders in the paint.

Hartenstein has also been seeing time at power forward in practice, per Zach Braziller of The New York Post, and Thibodeau likes how he and Sims work together on the court.

“(Hartenstein) and Jericho, they play very effectively together. And oftentimes, I’ll go more by how they’re being defended, who do they have their 4 on, who do they have their 5 on?” Thibodeau said.

There’s more from New York:

  • Hart sat out the opener because the Knicks are being cautious after he spent the summer representing Team USA in the World Cup, Braziller adds. “We just wanna make sure he’s completely healthy before we completely ramp him up,” Thibodeau said.
  • The Knicks are determined not to repeat the mistakes of two years ago when they followed a playoff season by winning just 37 games, Braziller notes in a separate story. There were significant roster moves that led to that letdown, but the organization emphasized continuity this summer, with free agent Donte DiVincenzo as the only significant addition. “The team was a little different. We had to try to figure things out differently,” RJ Barrett recalled. “It didn’t end up working out. That’s what I’ll say is the difference. This year, we added Donte, but we pretty much have the same guys out there. I think it should be better.”
  • Miles McBride believes he’ll be able to earn playing time, even though four guards currently appear to be ahead of him, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. The defensive specialist worked to improve his three-point shot this summer and spent time training with his older brother in Australia. “I feel like the way I play, I’m going to create an opportunity for myself,” McBride said.
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New York Notes: Simmons, Thomas, Exhibition Game, Toppin

October 10th, 2023 at 7:25pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The initial returns on Ben Simmons‘ comeback from the back ailment that wrecked his 2022/23 season were encouraging, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. The Nets guard had 10 points, three assists and a steal in 14 first-half minutes against the Lakers on Monday.

“[It felt] amazing. That’s really it, just amazing,” Simmons said. “Happy to be out there, and compete, and feel good out there and able to contribute like I know how I can. So I felt great. It’s the best in two years for sure.”

We have more on the New York teams:

  • In the same game, Cam Thomas led the Nets with 26 points. His other contributions were more noteworthy to coach Jacque Vaughn as Thomas tries to secure a rotation spot, Lewis writes in a separate story. “He can flat out score the basketball,” Vaughn said. “I look at the other things, and he knows that. What were the box outs? Was he running hard? Is he communicating with his teammates? Did he know where he was supposed to be on the floor? So those things he’s really taken strides in and give him a lot of credit. And with credit comes playing time.” Thomas’ $2,240,160 salary for this season was picked up by the club last year. The Nets hold a $4,041,249 option on his contract for next season and must make a decision on it this month.
  • Despite the war in Israel, the Nets’ preseason game against Maccabi Ra’anana is still expected to take place Thursday at Barclays Center. The exhibition hasn’t been cancelled or delayed, Lewis tweets.
  • There’s still a Toppin on the Knicks, though he’s a long shot to make the roster. While the front office traded away his brother Obi to Indiana, Jacob Toppin is trying to prove he’s an NBA player, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News writes. “He’s my brother, but he has his own path and I have my own path, and this whole process, I’ve been trying to focus on myself and be better every single day and that’s what I’ve been doing,” Jacob said. “This whole summer is just working to be a better version of myself everyday. So, that’s what I’ve been focused on.” The younger Toppin signed an Exhibit 10 deal after going undrafted out of Kentucky. He’s likely to wind up with the G League’s Westchester Knicks.
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Hart Willing To Play Power Forward

October 9th, 2023 at 10:45pm CST by Dana Gauruder
  • The Knicks’ Josh Hart will see more action at power forward with Obi Toppin traded to Indiana and Hart is fine with that, Fred Katz of The Athletic writes. “I’m whatever we need, man,” Hart said. “I (would bring) the ball up last year. You’ve seen there’s times when I’m setting screens, rolling. I’m guarding point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards. It’s just a little whatever they need.”
  • Immanuel Quickley, who is eligible for a rookie scale extension during training camp, says he put in extensive work with trainer Reese Whitely during the offseason to prepare for the season, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “I feel like I got a lot stronger, locking in with my guy Reese back in Miami, we pretty much went like five days a week, taking care of my body, lifting, eating right, stronger and just pretty much every facet,” the Knicks guard said.
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And-Ones: Shaq, Kidd-Gilchrist, Israel, Brown, Colson, Williamson

October 9th, 2023 at 10:11pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Hall of Fame center and TNT commentator Shaquille O’Neal wants a piece of a Las Vegas franchise if the NBA expands there, he told Arash Markazi of TheMessenger.com.

“I would like to have my own group,” O’Neal said. “I know Vegas hasn’t been awarded an NBA team yet but if they ever get to a point where they are awarded a team, I would like to be a part of that. I don’t want to partner up with nobody. I want it all for myself.”

Well, he’ll need some partners — O’Neal’s worth is reportedly around $400MM. NBA franchises are selling in the billions. O’Neal adds that he’s lived in the city for over 20 years and wants to see it continue to grow.

We have more from around the international basketball world:

  • The Knicks waived Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in December 2020 and he never played in the NBA again. New details have surfaced regarding Kidd-Gilchrist’s sudden disappearance from the league, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reports. According to a lawsuit filed in a Charlotte court, the reason is a COVID-19-related heart condition that should have made Kidd-Gilchrist eligible for a insurance payout. Kidd-Gilchrist sued London-based insurance company Lloyd’s Underwriters for $40MM for refusing to pay him after a diagnosis of “myopericarditis,” an inflammation of the heart muscle. Another doctor “found” by Lloyd’s Underwriters claimed Kidd-Gilchrist suffered from a different heart ailment and wasn’t “disabled under the policy,” according to the lawsuit.
  • FIBA Europe has suspended all games involving Israeli teams in all competitions until further notice due to the war in that country and safety issues at those games, Sportando relays. The suspension includes all upcoming home and away games of five Israeli teams in EuroCup Women and the FIBA Europe Cup.
  • In a related topic, foreign players on Maccabi Tel Aviv have left the country for Cyprus, according to another Sportando post. That group includes ex-NBA players Lorenzo Brown and Bonzie Colson.
  • Which five players will define this season? According to The Ringer’s Michael Pina, that group includes the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson and the Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis.
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Knicks Notes: Fournier, Thibodeau, Sims, Goals

October 7th, 2023 at 6:57pm CST by Rory Maher

Veteran wing Evan Fournier was pulled from the Knicks‘ rotation last season and hoped to be traded this offseason. However, he remains on New York’s roster entering 2023/24 and doesn’t appear to have a clear path to playing time.

While it would be easy for Fournier to hang his head, he says he’s still trying to work his way back into a regular role with the Knicks, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

“I might be dreaming of stuff, but to me, I can help the team,” Fournier said. “Like I’m a good player. I can f—king play. I bring stuff that this team doesn’t have, too. So, I have hope to play, to be honest. I have hope to play. Maybe I’m crazy, I don’t know. 

“Maybe Thibs (head coach Tom Thibodeau) has already made up his mind and stuff, but my goal is to put him in a position where he has to think about playing me.”

Fournier, who is on a pseudo-expiring $18.9MM contract, says he didn’t contemplate holding out ahead of training camp and strongly disagreed with the tactic Jae Crowder chose last season, Bondy writes. The 30-year-old also says some of his comments over the summer about his dissatisfaction with his role were lost in translation (Fournier is French).

Thibodeau was mostly dismissive of Fournier’s offseason gripes on Monday, but he complimented him on Saturday, as Bondy relays.

“He’s a true pro,” Thibodeau said. “So he came in just doing all the things he should do.”

Here’s more on the Knicks:

  • Former Knicks guard Derrick Rose signed with the Grizzlies this offseason and seems to prefer Taylor Jenkins‘ training camps over Thibodeau’s, Bondy writes for The New York Post. “It’s ran different,” Rose said. “I’m just going to say that. It’s ran different. Here, it’s more smoother. It’s more fluent. And guys are really getting their work in. And that’s not saying the guys in New York didn’t get their work in.” However, free agent addition Donte DiVincenzo is pleased with Thibodeau’s camp. “He’s very detail-oriented, which I appreciate,” DiVincenzo said, per Bondy. “Going back to my college days, that’s why I’m in the NBA, playing for coaches who are detail-oriented. So, I think Thibs can bring the best out of me.”
  • On Saturday, Thibodeau singled out reserve center Jericho Sims as a training camp standout, tweets Steve Popper of Newsday. “Jericho has really had a great camp,” Thibodeau said. “He’s the one guy, obviously coming off the surgery, he had a great summer the way he worked. He’s really done a good job for us.” The Knicks fully guaranteed Sims’ $1.93MM contract for ’23/24 this summer.
  • With the help of a scout and a “longtime talent evaluator,” Bondy created reasonable goals for the Knicks’ projected rotation players entering ’23/24. What should Quentin Grimes be working on entering his third season? According to Bondy, slowing down and exercising more patience would be a prudent choice.
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Who Might See Their Minutes Reduced?

October 6th, 2023 at 7:10pm CST by Rory Maher
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