Unless Kyrie Irving has a change of heart about staying in Boston, the Knicks won’t have a shot at signing the Celtics’ starting point guard. They might have a chance at Boston’s other talent point man, Marc Berman of New York Post speculates. Terry Rozier would be a good fit for them, since they’re still trying to choose among Frank Ntilikina, Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke. Ntilikina, Noah Vonleh, Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson are some of the young players New York could dangle as trade bait for Rozier, Berman opines. Rozier will be a restricted free agent in July.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Veteran forward Jared Dudley has been a pleasant surprise on and off the court for the Nets, Chris Milholen of Nets Daily writes. Dudley, acquired from the Suns in an offseason deal, has posted modest numbers but he’s started every game and he’s served as a mentor to the team’s younger players. “He’s doing it in the locker room and he’s also doing it with his play, because he doesn’t need the ball in his hands,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. Dudley’s $9.53MM salary comes off the books at the end of the season.
- Sixers forward Wilson Chandler will remain on a minutes restriction as he works his way back from a hamstring injury, Sarah Todd of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Chandler will play approximately 15 minutes until coach Brett Brown is satisfied that he can handle a back-to-back situation. “I think the minute restriction won’t be long, a couple weeks or so, it’s not long term, I’m not worried about that at all,” Chandler told Todd.
- The Knicks’ trio of president Steve Mills, GM Scott Perry and coach David Fizdale have put a plan into action designed for the long-term health of the franchise, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes. They are focused on player development and building through the draft rather than the quick-fix solution that have dragged down the franchise for so long.
The Knicks braintrust will rely on losing high, drafting high, and making unbalanced trades in their favor.
Now to decide whether to trade Larry, Curly or Moe for Rozier.
“The Knicks’ trio of president Steve Mills, GM Scott Perry and coach David Fizdale have put a plan into action designed for the long-term health of the franchise”
In plain English: They’re conspiring to TANK!
Can you blame them?? Could you imagine how much better a core of Porzingis, Knox, Trier, Ntilikina, and Dotson looks with Zion added to the mix!?!
I’d say Barrett, but you know New York has to go with the more exciting prospect in Zion..Although, I trule believe Barrett is going to be as close to a sure thing as possible..
Well, until Dolan steps in and screws it up again. For the first time since 2011 it seems like they’re going in the right direction, and we know how he killed that one (hmm, hmm, Melo).
I don’t really think you can build through the draft in the NBA not like in the NFL and MLB were there are so many rounds and so many talented players because there are so many positions. you can build around defense though and then try and look for playmakers and shooters seems like outside of a top 8 pick in the draft you don’t really get good players I mean obviously there have been good players drafted all over but statically speaking very few times do those players outside the top 8 produce in the nba for years.
Yeah but if all goes according to plan (ie the Knicks successfully tank) they will have a top 8 pick…
As a Celtics fan I’d hate to see Rozier go but… going off the assumption he’s going to walk at the end of the year for nothing. I wouldn’t mind a trade with the Knicks for one or two of those young players. Or maybe a player and a future (protected type) draft pick