The Knicks‘ fortunes will depend largely on a pair of veteran point guards with a history of knee issues, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. The team addressed the position over the offseason by re-signing Derrick Rose and adding Kemba Walker after his buyout with the Thunder.
Rose didn’t have any physical problems after the Knicks acquired him in February. He played 35 games and the only time he missed was due to COVID-19. Walker, however, was slowed by an arthritic left knee all season and managed just 43 games for the Celtics.
“Health, I think it’s a big question for every team, and it’s important (Walker) feels good,’’ coach Tom Thibodeau said. “(Kemba’s) been in. He’s doing a lot of work. And you got to trust him. He understands what he has to do to be ready for a season.’’
There’s more from New York:
- The Knicks plan to continue their approach of gradually building a title contender and won’t look for shortcuts after the surprising success of last season, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. Armed with more than $50MM in cap room, the front office concentrated on roster stability, re-signing much of the team’s core to long-term deals. “We wanted to bring enough of those guys back from last year that started to set a bar for us to get better,” general manager Scott Perry said. “And as you look around the league, teams that improve tend to have a lot of the same guys back. You’ve got to be able to have enough time to develop a core group of guys, so that was reflective of what we did this summer.”
- Addressing the media Friday for the first time in 14 months, team president Leon Rose said there are certain advantages to being a former agent, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Rose came to the Knicks from CAA, where he used to be one of the NBA’s most influential dealmakers. “I think being an agent gives me a great perspective from the other side of the table, and allows me to have a greater understanding of the things we come up against every single day and the way the other people think,” Rose said. “So I think it’s a huge benefit.”
- Wayne Selden‘s new deal with the Knicks is an Exhibit 9 contract, according to Spotrac. As Bondy explains (via Twitter), the non-guaranteed deal offers protections for the team if Selden is injured during training camp.
Simmons is a right guy for Knicks
Knicks is the best to Simmons
Knicks can send two point guards to 76ers
Ben is in the box
Knicks can find third team to offer assets 76ers want
RJ to the third team
Why would the Knicks want a guy making twice as much as Rose and Kemba combined who can’t shoot the basketball? And trade RJ? No chance. Would make no sense and clog their salary cap.
So trade away shooting for a guy who can’t shoot got you
I like lamp.
Rebuild …….. rebuild …….. Rebuild.
Thibs SECOND year coming . We are on a good path. And patience is what we need. Let the young guys grow and build their value. We have Four #1 picks in next 2 yrs. We have Six 2nd rd picks in next 2 yrs. That’s ten picks. We got options. There’s been talk in NY of playing Randle at the 3. To give more mins to Toppin. Toppin looks in great shape. Always liked him. But I believe Knicks look to showcase him and move him with Quikley. McBride and Grimes look that good. Keep an eye on Grimes he could be the STEAL of the draft. With Knicks depth. I don’t see an issue with Kemba. We can rest him and manage his mins. We need him strong for playoffs. Knicks looking for RJ to make a run for all star. For Mitch to play for a contract. And Toppin to play for mins. We added most on offense. On paper it looks good. Its going to be a fun season trying to make it work. Knicks were a 4th seed last yr. Knicks should fight for the 4th seed this year. So will Hawks, Heat, Celtics. East is not as top heavy as in past years. Should be a competitive year in the East.