9:44pm: The signing is official, the team’s PR department tweets.
10:52am: Free agent center Norvel Pelle will sign a 10-day contract with the Knicks this weekend, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Pelle has been mentioned as a possibility since Mitchell Robinson was lost for the rest of the season with a fracture in his right foot. Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson handled the center position while Robinson was sidelined with an earlier injury, but New York needed an extra big man.
Pelle, 28, will be joining his third team this season. He signed with the Nets in late January, but was waived in mid-February after seeing limited action in three games. Following a brief G League stint, Pelle inked a 10-day contract with the Kings while Hassan Whiteside was in health and safety protocols. He appeared in just one game for Sacramento and didn’t receive a second 10-day deal.
Pelle underwent COVID-19 testing this week so he could be available for Saturday’s game, tweets Marc Berman of The New York Post. The Knicks also considered veteran big man John Henson, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
Not a bad sign for third center
Need any help we can get at center. 10 day contract takes him into playoffs roster spot. I guess he is the guy. Center by committee works for me. With Noel becoming a FA. This is his opportunity to shine.
Knicks play Mavs tonight. Mavs playing well now. We need this after Minny flop.
Hes definitely is not the guy, just a fill in until they get a buyout. You don’t think noel will comeback?
Nerlens might want to go to a contender.
Nerlens is probably trying to accumulate as much money as he can after he turned down 70ms.
That’s the rumor. He blames his agent for that. He’s miffed he didn’t sign it. So he’s been trying to find a way to get another offer. Hence the 1 yr contracts.
NY is more of a contender than HOU, homeboy
Only this year, in 2022 Houston will once again be better than NY.
What’s the point of that statement. You got no all stars. Wood doesn’t play D well. You are praying for good draft picks. We got coach of the yr. one of youngest teams. With 3 of top 32 picks in draft next yr. With 50 mill to spend on FA. Not a smart statement. Just enjoy your rebuild.
Nerlens wants a nice long term deal. Knicks not doing it. It’s why I wanted to move him. Thibs likes his D.
No I don’t think so. He’s looking for a big contract. That’s the rumor since he came here. Backup centers are not hard to find. He’s making more than Howard now. Imo he’s perfect for KAT as a starting PF. That’s where he can get his contract from. I understand at his age wanting one. But you got to earn it too.
Noel, Gibson, Randle, Toppin…explain how you need any help you can get at center. Look at that team’s shooting issues and explain how that isnt their biggest need
This is the good low maintenance signing I was expecting. 10 days, see how he fits, or if something better and unexpected comes along. They can use a third healthy C on the roster, and the league requires a 14th contract. I assume he has the rail for those spots, whether or not he plays much.
So pretty much what I said… a depth non rotation guy in case of injuries b/c they dont need another big…
Former Heat summer league guy. Plays hard. Good for him
I can guarantee you they will get another big in the next few days. Thibs does not care about offense.
No one to get Now for offense. TD is gone. Knicks are gonna add offense. Not just to add. We need it for next step up. We will do it next yr. In FA or a trade. As last two gms have shown. We desperately need another scorer to be a serious team. It’s only the first yr. Knicks have just begun.
I see multiple current free agent shooters available. There were also guys available before the deadline.
But we didn’t like fit. Or asking price. We are building a team. We don’t need to add just for playoffs.
Oladipo is still healing and wants a big contract.
Fournier us a FA. We can sign both if we want. Knicks are sitting back and see who will be available next yr. There is no need to rush . To just please hungry fans that don’t understand what a full rebuild means. Thibs is here 48 gms, we are building a Core. Our options more than Triple next yr. You don’t build a playoff team in 48 gms or 1 yr.
1- make the playoffs
2- become a playoff team, build a contender
3- become a contender and contend.
4- become a favorite to win.
All in due time
Al old ball coach how do you be so contradictory and obvious at the same time?
Bring back Kanter
Where would Portland be this season without Enes Kanter and his awesome D?
Blazers were floundering with Nurkic starting earlier in the season. Kanter starting made a difference.
It’s honestly the system. Blazers don’t like to play defense(kanter doesn’t either), so it’s a match made in heaven.
Offensive rebounding, being from Turkey. These are Enes Kanter’s specialties.
Could of used Pelle last night. Knicks have one of toughest schedules in 2nd half. We got thru a tough March and still .500. That’s a good showing to me. April is a little better, but NO Mitch. So we need all our bigs, Toppin please play. We need to solidify our seeding this month. Knicks can end up as 6-8th seed. It’s what I’m shooting for.