Knicks assistant Kenny Payne has officially been hired as the new head coach of the University of Louisville’s men’s basketball team, the program announced today in a press release. Payne received a six-year deal and will make $3.35MM annually, with his new contract going into effect on Monday, per Brett Dawson of The Louisville Courier-Journal.
During Payne’s introductory press conference on Friday, Louisville athletic director Josh Heird thanked Knicks management, noting that the team didn’t want to lose Payne but understood the hiring was “bigger than basketball” (Twitter link via Dawson).
Payne, meanwhile, said that he and Knicks executives Leon Rose and William Wesley have been crying “six, seven times a day” within the last little while about his decision to leave the team (Twitter link via Dawson).
“We are beyond thrilled for Kenny Payne that he will have the opportunity to coach his alma mater, Louisville,” Rose said in a statement issued today by the Knicks. “We wish him nothing but the best and thank him for his contributions over the past two seasons.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- With RJ Barrett set to become extension-eligible for the first time this offseason, Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News wonders if the former No. 3 overall pick has earned maximum-salary consideration, or at least something close to it. For his part, Barrett said that getting a long-term commitment from the Knicks has long been a goal for him. “I’ve been trying to play my butt off and do everything out there to achieve that,” he said.
- In addition to not seeing any more game action this season, Kemba Walker isn’t around the Knicks at all and isn’t working with team trainers, head coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed this week. A source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post that Walker is doing some of his training in New York and some in his former home of Charlotte, where his mother still lives.
- Derrick Rose (ankle) still hasn’t received clearance to practice, creating uncertainty about whether he’ll be back before the end of the regular season, Berman writes in the same New York Post story.
- While Evan Fournier‘s first season in New York hasn’t been a huge success, the Frenchman is on track to set a franchise record, Berman observes in a separate New York Post article. With 201 made three-pointers this season and 13 games left to play, Fournier is just 17 threes away from passing John Starks and establishing a new single-season Knicks record.
Lakers luxury tax trade away
Westbrook for Rose, Kemba, and Fournier
Lakers determine to keep future draft picks
I will love Randle-RW being coached by Thibs, sounds everything good to me
That may make sense if Westbrook agrees to some type of buyout. Say <$30 of his $47 due. Westbrook could get $10-15 in FA. NY has eats $30 mil to dump 3 salaries, but Rose has team option in 23. If you can buy Westbrook out at $25 and dump those 3 guys and get draft picks, that's a win. Cap room opens up in summer 2023
The buyout would be near 40 but if they could net the 27 1st from LAL and dump Fourn in the process it’s all gravy for NYK
Rose could be Burks Kemba could be Noel it really makes little difference in the end to NYK. If there’s a RW trade I think Knicks are def likeliest partner this offseason
Well considering they only have a 2027 first and like 3 seconds until then as well it’s not that they are determined it’s that they can’t afford.
Westbrook would be such a terrible fit as a player. It’s the perfect Knicks move.
My condolences to the University of Louisville men’s basketball program.
Great time to get outta NY!
Give RJ the max. It’s the one thing they can do right, and based on the way he’s been playing, it’s only going to get better as he matures. It also signals commitment, youth, and talent that can be built upon. Leverage players on the roster for draft picks, and draft picks for moving up and get players that are ‘impactful.’ Knicks failure during this rebuild has been the usual – bad drafting and FA signings. RJ and Randle are the only two solid moves they’ve made, but need to re-evaluate and determine if they want to build w/RJ or build w/Randle.
I don’t think you’ve been paying very close attention.
I agree give RJ the max but hopefully have some cap space left in the future. Westbrook for Burks, Fournier, and Walker.
Westbrook should be the last thing any team that wants to win should want. What jersey number do you think he wears on the Knicks?
RJ is the Knicks. We need some luck for this yrs draft. Mathurin would be UUuuuuggge for us.
This one hurts…
What’s with all this blubbering? Bigger than BB?— It is BB. Which is hardly sobbing material in a lost season.