Forward Kevin Knox entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Thursday, becoming the fourth Knicks player to do so within the last week, per an announcement from the team (via Twitter). Knox joins RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes in the protocols and will be unavailable for at least 10 days or until he returns two consecutive negative COVID-19 tests at least 24 hours apart.
It’s unfortunate timing for Knox, who played 49 total minutes in the Knicks’ last two games after having logged just 22 minutes across six games in the first seven-plus weeks of the regular season. We’ll see if he gets a chance to earn playing time once he clears the protocols and is available again.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- As Steve Popper of Newsday writes, determining a starting lineup and rotation with a COVID-depleted roster was already turning a challenge for head coach Tom Thibodeau, who will now be down one more player for at least the team’s Thursday game in Houston.
- Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker became trade-eligible on Wednesday, and while Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post could imagine the Knicks moving Walker by February 10, he says it’s more difficult to envision a deal involving Fournier, who is in the first season of a four-year contract. For what it’s worth, another report this week indicated there’s very little interest around the league in Walker.
- In his latest mailbag for The Athletic, Fred Katz explores the Knicks’ defensive struggles, what’s next for Kemba, and whether there’s room for Obi Toppin to take on a larger role.
#letKembaplay
The Knicks made their “big move” to acquire expensive vets to try and compete too early. They should have embraced the suck for one more year to improve the core through the draft. They’re just not good enough and now they’re stuck with contracts they can’t move again. It never ends.
@dxg why have faith in another draft. The Knicks blew it already taking Ntilikina and Knox when better players were available
Ntilikina draft was not as deep as the Knox one, and you can say that this year Knicks FO made mistakes jungling with their first picks also, missing on J.Christopher, C.Thomas, Bones Hyland…
You know, you’re right. Maybe we can stumble into a good pick one day. Deuce did look good last night though. We’ll probably trade him for Mark Jackson, hometown hero. Ugh…
The insanity ………
Thibs has been here ONE year. And 26 gms.
They have drafted Toppin, Quickley, Sims, McBride, Grimes. And we have four #1 picks in next two yrs. Plus six 2nd rd picks. That’s TEN PICKS ……. Plus plenty of cap space in 2023.
We’ll be in the playoffs this year. Year two of Thibs Knicks Rebuild.
link to fanspo.com
Randle is what you have.Let’s say for the sake of arguments Al you sign 2 superstar free agents.Tell me exactly how Thibs is grooming the other 2 starters and a bench.Because the way your roster is you’ll have to get only forwards and a center who can play.Toppin,what’s Thibs waiting for?Cluster kluck of nobodies but Randle.
I want NY to be good again,so good luck with the ten picks and two big time players.
Knicks needed that win against Houston last night,with guys out due to covid it shows this roster is built to win I’m impressed with mcbride,Grimes these kids are ready to contribute now were only 2,5 out of 5th seed were still on track. I agree with AL were still making the playoffs,we have to remember when you change players and rotations it takes time to gel together we still have over 50 games left.
This knick team is built to compete for a long time we have quality players that have to gel together quickley,toppin,mitch,mcbride,knox,grimes, knicks future looks bright and were only 2.5 games out of 5th seed. As much as I like walker I think he is done those young kids play defense and we will be right there when it counts.
Any minute now ..the imbecile Knicks owner will rear his head and the downward cycle begins again