Knicks president Phil Jackson considered the idea of building slowly around Kristaps Porzingis and discussed the thought inside the organization, but ultimately decided for a swifter approach, Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports. The Knicks reeled in Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings, who all have injury concerns, but Jackson beleives the health issues are worth the risk, Begley relays.
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- There will likely be some speculation about Jackson’s future in New York because he has an opt-out clause in his contract that he could exercise after this season, Begley writes in the same piece. “I’ve just been going straight ahead. That really hasn’t been an item for me to think about,” Jackson said. “The fact that I had a clause put in the contract, that in case there was a lockout, that it might be a way to step away from the team or a job that doesn’t have any work action going on for a period of time. So that was one clause. That hasn’t affected what I’m doing now.”
- The most intriguing addition to the Knicks is Courtney Lee, who turned down a larger offer from the Sixers to come to New York, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Lee seems like a good fit, especially after former Knicks guard Arron Afflalo‘s presence didn’t work so well in the team’s triangle offense, Berman adds.
- Only Carmelo Anthony remains from the team that Jackson inherited in March 2014, and despite the turnover rate, Jackson said he has been fiscally responsible, Al Iannazzone of Newsday relays.