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Raptors Notes: Barrett, Schröder, Rajakovic, Barnes

January 10th, 2024 at 9:51pm CST by Arthur Hill

Now that RJ Barrett is back home in Toronto, he wants to inspire young Canadians who dream of someday playing in the NBA. In an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Barrett talked about the unique position that last month’s trade put him in as one of the most prominent players on the nation’s only NBA team.

“I am trying to let kids know that you can make it being from Canada and the area I’m from,” Barrett said. “Like the guys before me, watching Tristan (Thompson), Cory (Joseph), … (Andrew Wiggins), you can make it to the NBA. For me to make it to the NBA and come back home to play is special for me. I hope that all the kids see that … I want to show everyone how happy I am to be here and to help us win. That’s the main goal.”

Barrett admitted “there’s still a lot of learning going” on as he adjusts to his new team. He was caught off guard by the December 30 deal that sent him north of the border and he’s trying to adapt quickly to help the Raptors stay in the play-in race. He also said he’s proud of his time in New York and what he was able to accomplish with the Knicks.

“I helped build something in New York,” Barrett said. “When I came there we weren’t good. I left it a lot better than when it started. Definitely bittersweet, but I’m happy for those guys over there. They are happy about the trade they made and I wish nothing but the best for them. I grew up as a player and a person over there in New York. Those 4½ years, I will never forget.”

There’s more on the Raptors:

Dennis Schröder talked to Mark Medina of Sportskeeda about a variety of topics, including how the team has changed since the trade and the thrill of bringing a World Cup gold medal to Germany. Schröder also said he doesn’t mind being moved to a reserve role after starting for most of the season. “Either way, I still play 30 minutes (per game) like I did here (with the Lakers),” he said. “Wherever I can help just to impact the game and impact winning, I’ll do it. I think defensively, I’ll bring the energy. Offensively, I’ll be aggressive. I thought I could’ve been a little bit more aggressive (Tuesday against the Lakers). But at the end of the day, you watch film and have a breakfast meeting to get better. Then you move on.”
Eric Koreen of The Athletic looks at how the Raptors have evolved since the trade, noting that the roster changes have helped turn them into a higher-scoring team that’s much more fun to watch.
In tonight’s pregame session with reporters, coach Darko Rajakovic stood by his criticism of the officials following Tuesday’s loss, tweets Michael Grange of Sportsnet. Rajakovic also repeated his praise of Scottie Barnes, saying he shares traits with Hall of Famers that he’s coached in the past.

Knicks Notes: Brunson, Anunoby, Robinson, Mavericks Rivalry

January 10th, 2024 at 8:45pm CST by Arthur Hill

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was a controversial omission from the All-Star Game last season, but it’s going to be hard to keep him out again, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post. Brunson, who received his second Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor on Monday, is averaging career highs with 26.0 points and 6.4 assists per game while shooting a career-best 43.6%% from three-point range. He’s got New York looking like a legitimate contender, with a five-game winning streak that has lifted the team into fourth place in the conference.

Before Tuesday’s game against Portland, Brunson received All-Star support from his own coach, Tom Thibodeau, and from Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups.

“I’m a huge fan of Jalen. I think he’s a winner more than anything,” Billups said. “You can talk about how crafty he is and how he can score and how he’s just a winner. He makes big plays. He makes winning plays. He’s leading the league in taking charges and he’s just a winner.”

There’s more from New York:

OG Anunoby‘s impact on the Knicks has been historically significant, per Christian Arnold of The New York Post. Anunoby’s plus-111 rating since coming to New York makes him the first player ever to have a combined plus/minus rating higher than 100 in his first five games with a new team. “The ball’s been moving a lot better,” Isaiah Hartenstein said when asked about the difference since Anunoby’s arrival. “Defensively, he’s been doing a great job playing team defense. He makes my life a lot easier, so just having him has been great.”
Thibodeau gave an indication last week that injured center Mitchell Robinson could be back before the end of the regular season, per Steve Popper of Newsday. The NBA reportedly will deny the Knicks’ request for a disabled player exception regarding Robinson because league officials aren’t convinced that he’ll be sidelined through the required date of June 15. “He will be reevaluated, so probably another four to six weeks and then we’ll have more information,” Thibodeau told reporters on Friday. “… And then whatever they feel the best course is for him, that’s what we’ll do.”
Off-court issues may be creating a rivalry between the Knicks and Mavericks, tweets Stefan Bondy of The New York Post, who notes that Thursday’s meeting in Dallas will be the first since the Mavs tanked the end of last season to keep their first-round pick from conveying to New York and the first since Mark Cuban blamed Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson for interfering with Dallas’ attempts to re-sign his son, Jalen.

Knicks’ Disabled Player Exception Request For Robinson To Be Denied

January 10th, 2024 at 4:28pm CST by Arthur Hill

The NBA will deny a request for a $7.8MM disabled player exception that the Knicks submitted after an injury to Mitchell Robinson, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Sources tell Wojnarowski there’s optimism that Robinson can return from ankle surgery before the end of the regular season.

Robinson had surgery about four weeks ago after experiencing inflammation in his left ankle. A report indicated that he was expected to miss the remainder of the season, but he has apparently been showing progress in his recovery.

The Knicks’ decision to apply for the DPE was a case of “due diligence” by the front office, tweets Steve Popper of Newsday, who also hears that the team is hoping Robinson can return. Management was looking for another tool to potentially improve the team and hasn’t given up hope that Robinson will play again this season, adds Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).

Disabled player exceptions are in place to help teams who lose a significant player to a long-term injury. There’s no risk for teams to seek them, but the league must determine that the player will likely be sidelined until at least June 15 for the request to be approved. DPEs allow teams to sign a replacement player for 50% of the injured player’s salary or for the amount of the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception, whichever is lesser.

New York still has trade exceptions worth $6.8MM and $5.2MM that it can use until the February 8 trade deadline, notes Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).

The Knicks have been able to remain competitive without Robinson because Isaiah Hartenstein has done an exceptional job as his replacement. In the 11 games he has started, Hartenstein is averaging 7.7 points and 10.3 rebounds while shooting 61.8% from the field, notes Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Twitter link).

Stein’s Latest: Mitchell, Allen, Cavs, Heat, Knicks

January 10th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cavaliers continue to convey that they have zero interest in considering the possibility of a Donovan Mitchell trade this season, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack article. That stance has been reported by several NBA insiders in recent weeks and remains unchanged with the February 8 deadline just over four weeks away.

As Stein notes, the Cavaliers weren’t interested in the idea of a Mitchell trade when Darius Garland and Evan Mobley first went down with injuries, and team officials have been “emboldened” by the 8-3 run Cleveland has gone on with those two starters out. Center Jarrett Allen, in particular, has been playing some of his best basketball ever, quieting speculation that he might be an in-season trade candidate.

Stein suggests that “pessimism persists” about the Cavaliers’ chances of signing Mitchell to a new contract beyond his current deal, which expires in 2025. However, he doesn’t clarify who exactly is expressing that pessimism, which suggests it’s probably coming from sources outside of the organization and outside of Mitchell’s camp rather than from anyone directly involved in the situation.

Here are a few more items of interest from Stein’s latest story:

While the Cavaliers aren’t listening to inquiries for now, the Heat continue to have legitimate interest in Mitchell and could attempt to test Cleveland’s resolve either in the coming weeks or in the 2024 offseason, Stein says. The Knicks and Nets have been frequently mentioned as suitors for Mitchell over the years, but executives from rival front offices view Miami as the top team to watch if the Cavs star becomes available, according to Stein.
With no desire to move any of their core players, the Cavaliers are more interested in being a buyer at the trade deadline. Chris Haynes mentioned during a recent episode of the #thisleague UNCUT podcast that Cleveland is in the market for a three-and-D wing, and Stein says he’s heard the same thing. The Cavs’ trade assets are limited, however, as they can’t currently move any of their future first-round picks.
The Knicks‘ success since the OG Anunoby gives the team some leverage to remain patient on the trade market in the short term, Stein says, suggesting that New York may focus on smaller moves to improve its depth this season and look to do something bigger in the summer.

Door Open For Gibson On Knicks' Coaching Staff; Grimes Bounces Back In Bench Role

January 9th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Noting that recently waived big man Taj Gibson was “instrumental” in getting the Knicks through a stretch in the schedule when multiple frontcourt players were injured, head coach Tom Thibodeau referred to Gibson as “the ultimate pro” and said there will be “an open door” for the 38-year-old to join New York’s coaching staff once he decides to retire as a player, per Peter Botte of The New York Post. “I think he still has something left in the tank,” Thibodeau said. “I think he’s going to be a terrific coach when that time comes, as well. We’ll see how everything goes.”
Since expressing frustration with his role a little over a month ago and being moved to the bench, Knicks wing Quentin Grimes has hit his stride again, Botte writes in another New York Post story. Grimes’ scoring output as part of the second unit (7.7 PPG) remains modest, but he has made 43.1% of his three-point attempts in that role, including 10-of-22 (45.5%) during the current four-game win streak. “He’s back to who he is, and I expect nothing less,” Jalen Brunson said on Monday. “He works really hard, and the things he’s able to do, we’ve seen before, and now we’re going to continue to see it.”

New York Notes: DiVincenzo, Hartenstein, Randle, Nets’ Loss

January 8th, 2024 at 8:06pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Knicks are undefeated since acquiring OG Anunoby. Donte DiVincenzo said the blockbuster deal with Toronto has lit a fire under the team, he told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

“There’s an energy right now that we have,” he said. “And it’s contagious. Guys are celebrating each other, guys are moving the ball.”

DiVincenzo is averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 23.5 minutes during four January contests.

We have more on the New York teams:

In the four games since the trade, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein has been playing heavy minutes while averaging a double-double (10.5 points, 13.5 rebounds). He’s also leading the Knicks in steals (2.3) and blocks (3.0) per game and has become somewhat of a play-maker (2.8 assists). “It’s fun,” Hartenstein told Bondy. “I think it’s definitely a role that I always envisioned myself being in.”
Julius Randle has averaged 26.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game since mid-November while scoring at least 20 points in 24 of those 26 contests. The Knicks forward is initiating more pick-and-rolls this season and taking fewer 3-pointers. He’s also reacting more quickly to double teams. “The key to having longevity in this game is adaptability and being able to adjust,” Randle told Fred Katz of The Athletic. “I’ve always been able to adjust as my career has gone on. But now, I think I’m just more sure of who I am as a player. It’s all kinda coming together for me at this point in my career.”
The Nets were furious at themselves after losing at home to the Trail Blazers on Sunday, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. They wasted Mikal Bridges‘ 42-point game in the process. “We definitely should have won. It’s frustrating,” Cameron Johnson said. “Very disappointing overall to not win this basketball game. Extremely disappointing,” coach Jacque Vaughn added.

Rockets’ Sengun, Knicks’ Brunson Named Players Of The Week

January 8th, 2024 at 2:34pm CST by Rory Maher

Rockets center Alperen Sengun and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson have been named the NBA’s Players of the Week, the league announced on Monday (via Twitter).

A third-year Turkish big man who will be eligible for a rookie scale extension in the offseason, Sengun is a Most Improved Player award candidate, having become the focal point of Houston’s offense under new head coach Ime Udoka. Sengun helped lead the Rockets to a 3-1 record last week, averaging 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals in four games (31.4 minutes).

Brunson, meanwhile, is the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season, having previously won back in November. He helped New York to a 4-0 record to open January, averaging 27.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists in 36.6 minutes per contest.

According to the NBA, the other nominees in the West were Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Nikola Jokic, Lauri Markkanen, Domantas Sabonis and Anfernee Simons.

Jarrett Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paolo Banchero, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, Julius Randle, Pascal Siakam and Jayson Tatum were nominated in the East (Twitter links).

Knicks Waive Taj Gibson

January 7th, 2024 at 3:49pm CST by Luke Adams

The Knicks have waived big man Taj Gibson ahead of today’s salary guarantee deadline, the team announced (Twitter links).

Gibson signed a non-guaranteed, minimum-salary contract with the Knicks on December 15 and appeared in 10 games for the club, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per night.

Initially expected to merely provide some frontcourt depth and locker room leadership, the 38-year-old saw more playing time than anticipated due to injuries to centers Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims.

However, with Sims healthy again and Precious Achiuwa added to the roster in last weekend’s OG Anunoby trade, Gibson once again found himself pushed down the depth chart — he hadn’t played at all since Monday.

Gibson’s release doesn’t necessarily mean the Knicks are done with him for the season. He could return on a 10-day contract or two, and if the team still has an open roster spot after the trade deadline comes and goes, he’d be an obvious candidate for a rest-of-season deal.

According to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link), New York decided to part with Gibson for now to create some additional roster flexibility ahead of the trade deadline, since the club expects to continue to be active.

Gibson had been one of two players on the Knicks’ roster who was on a non-guaranteed contract for 2023/24. The other one, Ryan Arcidiacono, will be retained and will have his full $2,528,233 salary (and $2,019,706 cap hit) guaranteed, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Assuming he clears waivers, Gibson will count for $477,630 in dead money on the Knicks’ salary cap.

Atlantic Notes: Siakam, Randle, Quickley, Bridges

January 7th, 2024 at 9:52am CST by Luke Adams

Since last weekend’s trade of OG Anunoby, multiple reporters have stated that their league sources expect the Raptors to also move Pascal Siakam ahead of next month’s deadline. Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca has heard similar rumblings, but one of his sources warned him to not “be so sure.” That source suggested that while some closure on the situation is expected, it may not come in the form of a trade.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they offered an extension,” the source told Lewenberg.

Still, a trade is widely considered the more likely outcome for Siakam, prompting Lewenberg and Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca to take another look at the 29-year-old’s potential market. Within his story, Lewenberg adds the Grizzlies to the list of teams that have shown some level of interest in the two-time All-Star.

Grange, meanwhile, explores the Kings and Warriors as possible trade partners in a Siakam deal, but says Sacramento – in addition to being unwilling to part with Keegan Murray – doesn’t seem enthusiastic about offering Siakam a maximum-salary contact to retain him beyond this season. With both of those factors in mind, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Kings’ pursuit of the star forward has reportedly stalled.

As for Golden State, Grange hears from multiple sources that the Dubs aren’t inclined to trade Jonathan Kuminga, since he’s viewed as a potential star who can help the team win in both the present and the future.

A report this week indicated that Kuminga had lost faith in head coach Steve Kerr, but the two men reportedly had a good conversation in the wake of that story, and the former lottery pick played a season-high 36 minutes on Friday. If Kuminga isn’t on the table, the Raptors may not have much interest in making a Siakam deal with the Warriors.

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

After a slow start to the season, Julius Randle has played his way into the All-Star conversation, which could be a financial boon for the Knicks forward. As Stefan Bondy of The New York Post writes, Randle will earn a bonus of almost $1.3MM if he’s named an All-Star. However, the 29-year-old said he’s not thinking about that at all and doesn’t know exactly how much that bonus is worth. “I knew I got a bonus, something north of a million. But you think I’m focusing on that? I’m making pretty good money,” said Randle, whose base salary this season is approximately $25.7MM.
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey is happy that his good friend Immanuel Quickley was traded from the Knicks to the Raptors, who will give his former Kentucky teammate “a little bit more of an opportunity,” as he tells Bondy of The New York Post. “He did a good job with the Knicks. But we know that’s Julius’ team, that’s (Jalen) Brunson’s team,” Maxey said. “This gives him opportunities to spread his wings, kind of fly a little bit. I think he’s done a great job so far.”
Is Mikal Bridges‘ recent drop in production merely a slump, or is the increased attention that comes with being the focal point of the Nets‘ offense – as well as a long summer with Team USA – affecting him? Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post explores that question, with input from head coach Jacque Vaughn.

Knicks Notes: Anunoby, Flynn, Sims, McBride, Gibson

January 6th, 2024 at 6:27pm CST by Arthur Hill

OG Anunoby had a rough shooting night Friday in Philadelphia, but his defensive impact showed why the Knicks were determined to acquire him, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Anunoby guarded everyone from Joel Embiid to Tyrese Maxey as New York limited the Sixers to 40.7% from the field, and the Knicks outscored Philadelphia by 20 points in his 37 minutes on the court.

“I think we have a good core that’s been together for a while now. So I think that can absorb people coming in and then a guy like OG is very serious,” coach Tom Thibdoeau said. “He wants to do well, and I think his mind is open. He plays incredibly hard on every possession, so even if it’s not perfect right now, it’s still gonna be good.”

The Knicks have won their first three games since last weekend’s trade, and Anunoby has played a significant role in all of them. His scoring is down slightly and he’s only connecting at 46.9% from the field since coming to New York after Friday’s 3-of-11 performance, but he’s finding other ways to make a difference.

“Your hustle can make up for a lot. And that’s really what he’s doing,” Thibodeau added. “And each day, he’ll get better and better and guys are starting to figure him out, as well. So that takes a little bit of time. But help where you can, hustle, be in passing lanes, get deflections, help out on the boards, play physical, run the floor, move without the ball. Those are things that he does great. And then as time goes on, he’ll find more places where he can get scoring opportunities, too.”

There’s more from New York:

Malachi Flynn, who was also acquired in the Anunoby deal, made his Knicks debut on Friday night, playing just one minute at the end of the game, Bondy adds. Flynn is considered “situational,” which Bondy notes is a word Thibodeau uses to describe players who aren’t in his rotation. Jericho Sims played two minutes Friday, having been bumped from the rotation when New York acquired Precious Achiuwa from Toronto.
Miles McBride, who is hoping to establish himself as the team’s new primary back-up point guard, had his best performance since the trade in Friday’s win, per Steve Popper of Newsday. This is McBride’s first opportunity at regular minutes in his three-year career. “I think what I bring to the table is a great thing for the team,” he said. “I think I can push the pace. I can obviously knock down shots and on the defensive end, really get stops and just keep the team positive and be a leader out there.”
Thibodeau would be open to making Taj Gibson an assistant coach when the 38-year-old big man is done with his playing career, tweets Fred Katz of The Athletic.