In a rare media appearance, Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose spoke to MSG Network’s Mike Breen over the weekend about the state of the franchise, head coach Tom Thibodeau, and forward Julius Randle, among other topics. Rose acknowledged it was a “disappointing” season in New York, but expressed confidence that the team’s long-term plan is on track.
“Absolutely. We have to stick to the plan,” he said, per Steve Popper of Newsday. “We have to build one block at a time, be patient. We feel like we’re set up, you know, really well as far as like, we’ve got 13 draft picks over the next three drafts, four first-round picks. With regard to opportunities that may come along, we’re very flexible. We want to show patience, we want to show prudence in making those decisions and continuing to develop what we have.”
Rose said the Knicks fell short of their goal of being a playoff team, but added that he saw some positive signs from the club during the season’s home stretch. Following a seven-game losing streak that began in February and ended in March, New York went 12-7 the rest of the way and got solid production from a handful of young players.
“Jericho (Sims) going against starting centers, the 58th pick in the draft,” Rose said, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. “Obi (Toppin), the last week or so has just taken it to another level, scoring a career-high the last game. Quentin (Grimes), who had already established himself in the rotation. (Miles McBride) getting minutes and doing a good job with it. (Immanuel Quickley) playing point guard and showing some signs.
“And RJ (Barrett) is only 21 years old. We have nine players on our team who are 24 years old or younger and Julius is only 27, so … we look at that like development is key. And just in this part of the season, we’ve seen some good development and just need to work and continue on and build on that.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Rose said that Randle “loves it here in New York (and) wants to be in New York,” according to Begley. The Knicks’ president also praised the job Thibodeau did in a challenging season. “I mean, again, he’s one of the best coaches in the NBA,” Rose said, per Popper. “So obviously none of us are happy with the results this year. But he’s a guy who prepares our team better than anybody. I feel that he’s done a good job under the circumstances.”
- According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Rose was “dead-set” against letting Thibodeau go during the season when at least two members of the front office recommended making a coaching change. Berman also hears from a source that some Knicks executives and players didn’t love the fact that the coaching staff didn’t hold Randle more accountable for his “miscues” throughout the season.
- Randle and Toppin have talked about the possibility of playing together in small-ball lineups next season, as Peter Botte of The New York Post relays. “There are so many different things we can do when we’re both on the court,” Toppin said. “But we’ve definitely talked about it and hopefully we’re both back here next year and we can see that. I feel like we can definitely do some damage in the league if we’re on the court together.”
- Although he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, Mitchell Robinson remains eligible to sign an extension with the Knicks up until June 30 and Rose hasn’t ruled out that possibility, writes Fred Katz of The Athletic. “With Mitchell, there has been ongoing discussions throughout the year with his agent,” Rose told Breen. “And those discussions will continue, will continue for the remainder of the time until free agency.” The Knicks are limited to offering Robinson about $55.6MM over four years on an extension — they could go higher in free agency.
- Knicks swingman Evan Fournier intends to represent France in this September’s EuroBasket tournament, tweets Katz.
Fournier has been an absolute monster in FIBA play ever since TParker retired. I expect that to continue at Eurobasket in a few months. His French squad should definitely be the favorites but the comp is gonna be thick
Which young trio would you rather have as the young core of your franchise, Immanuel Quickley/Cam Reddish/Obi Toppin (NYK), Anfernee Simons/Nassir Little/Trendon Watford (POR), Jalen Suggs/RJ Hampton/Franz Wagner (ORL), Jose Alvarado/Herb Jones/Jaxson Hayes (NOP) or Josh Primo/Devin Vassell/Keldon Johnson (SAS)?.. rank if possible..
Tatum/Brown/Williams
Why would you include Cam Reddish, who barely played for the team, over RJ Barrett, who is actually part of the Knicks young ‘core’?
I’m more interested in how basketball fans currently rate Cam than how they rate RJ. Recency bias is extremely strong with the crowd that populates this msg board. These guys are gonna have a very high opinion of RJ bc he’s scored a lot of points over the past few weeks. Cam is out of sight & obv most of this crew has forgotten about him. Tbh majority probably haven’t seen him play much in the first place. My question is based toward those who know Cam’s game, who know Devin Vassell & Trendon Watford & RJ Hampton. Basically looking for that diamond in the rough that is capable of talking basketball in a way that I would find interesting
1 SAS
2a POR
2b ORL
4a NYK
4b NO
No one needs recency bias to see the gap between RJ and Cam. Hardwork trumps natural talent when natural talent doesn’t work hard. Other than for 30 minutes during last years playoffs, Cam has suffered from the same disease as the cowardly lion. But on a positive note, Cam could eat really spicy food and never has to worry about heartburn.
You think the difference between those 2 guys is RJ works harder?
The difference is one is decent and one is bad.
Cam Reddish should play the new Jesus Shuttlesworth. He has the look of a baller just not the chops.
I’d rather the Sixers trio of Springer/Bassey/Petrusev
So no answer for the actual question tho
Garland/Mobley/Allen
Geez fellas its a brainstorm assignment not an opportunity to poke holes and re-direct a different question !
I personally like these posts, they {should} engage good convo….
Gimme the Orl trio— tho if we are going lb for lb (see Now Im doing it!) you can’t argue w Nop based on draft slots/value. Orl final answer, these are always tough (probably meant to be) and really are subjective and fluid but just give an answer, it’s not a pass or fail test!
You = the real MVP
Keep um coming Sankara
These are fun…I readily admit I’m not as Keen on college players and players from the 80’s as some are on here. I find college basketball as a recipe for insomnia if I’m being completely honest
I come here to learn , and I got just that from QB1 and 4 quarters posts below …you stemmed that w the Q, so kudos for that
1 – ORL
2 – NYK
3 – SAS
SAS and I don’t think it’s close. Spurs, imo have 3 of the best 5 prospects in the whole bunch. I think Franz fits as one of the 5 and Simon’s is likely the best of the prospects mentioned. Quickly is obviously better than Primo right now but Primo might have the highest upside of all the prospects mentioned.
NYK with that core isn’t ever making playoffs if those are the 3 best players.
POR, good mix of upper echelon talent with Simon’s, a future 3 and D in Little and a wide card in Watford who is a really good passer.
ORL, Hampton leaves much to be desired. Franz is great and though he projects better, really how much better will Wagner get than Crowder. A rich man’s Crowder will always correlate with winning but won’t necessarily cause wins. Suggs is going to take time but has Lowryish potential.
SAS all day
NO is so cheap to retain and has great value but it is not a core. Can’t be a core if with 3 guys probably don’t have 50% usage altogether. Really like those scrappy guys though.
Now that’s a great response QB1
SAS / POR
NYK
ORL
NOP
This group of Knicks 3rd because I think Quickley’s best case is a scoring 1, and worst case is a Lou Will microwave type off the bench. I’ve always liked Cam’s game over RJ – he has a fluidity that Barrett just doesn’t have. And with Obi I value the rangy athletes who show signs of being able to add more skill (less fluid in the half court than Cam can be, but runs the floor well and is explosive).
I struggled with 1 & 2.
Best player of that group is Simons, so I’d probably go Portland.
I really like the Sham rumors
Westbrook for Brogdon and Hield.
Lakers save $4 million salary plus $17 million luxury tax next season
Luxury tax trade away!
A) Your post is not on topic, but then again…
B) Your trade suggestion doesn’t even happen in NBA2K.
Julius Randle for Malcom Brogdan
Wouldn’t that be a better deal for the Pacers?
Haliburton Duarte Randle Turner
Randle Haliburton Turner that could be three potential all stars on a side still rebuilding
It seems Indy is pushing their window back so acquiring Randle is the opposite of that
I’ve pondered Brogs to Nyk as well in the past but all this smoke w Indy/Rw has me believe they are looking past 2023 and not trying to immediately sink assets into the immediate future rather push it back a little
Whoever opens talks w the Lakers should hold thehigh ground no matter what , if you can get 2 unprotected future firsts from Brogs/Heild you take it Imo, their value might never be better if they don’t fit into your long term vision
Debatable if Brogs has standalone surplus value…but you throw him in a RW trade his value is never better…especially considering your flushing 2023 newayzs
Could be but I doubt Carlise wants to trade a great human being for a certainly less that great human being.
Brogdan is at market value while Randle is at minimum a slight negative. I wouldn’t do it even for positional fit unless NYK are also throwing in other assets. Remember Indy just got a 1st, 2nd and 2nd swap for Levert, Caris fricking Levert. No way they settle for Randle for Brogdan.
Interesting. Meanwhile I wouldn’t do it if I were NY. Brogdon can’t stay on the court while Randle had a bad year at 20/10/5. Sure, he didn’t handle the crowd well nor himself, but it’s not like he committed a crime. The guy is always tracking down his son after games…I’d say chalk it up to immaturity and hopefully he learned from it and comes back next year strong.
Better buy a lot of chalk to cover next year’s excuses too.
Call me a cynical Knicks fan, but I don’t really see anyone trading for Randle. Knicks are stuck with him, imo, unless they want to include picks with him. He regressed a bit and his attitude was not good, either. Plus I don’t see his style of play fitting in on a lot of teams (ball-dominant, iso ball, deep 2s and 3s at a low percentage, etc). I hope I’m wrong, though, and they can unload him.
You’re a cynical Knicks fan.
Im halfway with ya Rct but ultimately I think they find a buyer-
Shame tho for NYK; that attitude really hampers his current value Imo
Randle could be a great piece on a ready made team…Minnesota always comes first to mind for me, but he needs to just put his head and play ball
He’s a great athlete, plus passer per position, forces many mismatches with switches and can provide value on the glass as well.
Idk what he thinks he is tho, seems he got some kida God mentality in NYK this year, that’s not his bag nor will it ever be….. He’s a 2b or 3rd option on a good team, if he plays to his strengths and tunes out all the noise he can help a team vastly…….
Think all that upside still makes him tradeable in short but I get where you are coming from and it must be more unpleasant having the Kbicks be your home team and having to watch the whole thing unfold before your eyes
What GM wants to explain why he took Randle and Randles extention. Without the extention maybe, but with it, maybe Westbrook or someone else terrible is all Tandle is going to get you.
Man, I don’t know. Maybe he could work on Minnesota but if I’m them, I steer very clear of him. They’ve got a young, up-and-coming team and I wouldn’t want to risk his attitude and play style messing with what they’re building. Plus that contract would probably hinder any other moves they’d want to make.
It’s an interesting idea, but I think the only way they trade Randle is if a team like the Kings makes a boneheaded trade for him.
Knicks could clear the 4 more years and 100 more million they have to pay Randle if they do
LAL: Randle, Burks, Kemba and Noel
NYK: Westbrook
Or put Fournier in for 2 of em.
This tanks the season next year for Knicks but gets rid of an extra 100 million the Knicks are set to pay thos guys after next year. By All Star break when they are trying to make the play in game again they should consider it.
Yea totally hear ya on the tude, it’s troublesome for any new team. Never count out the NBA tho, a team like Portland feels like they are going to be over aggressive, as they say only takes 1
I’ve thought Knicks Lakers have made sense for a long time as well, almost too much sense that it won’t happen. Im optimistically encouraged by the Cha/Indy talks to gain a little potential leverage from not being completely bent over the barrel w a RW trade
Leon, you gots alotta work to do…not sure if that’s a good thing yet
Shaky start at best to the regime. Came in with either the same failed plan of “cap flexibility for fReE aGeNcYYY!!” as previous regimes…or no real plan whatsoever.
So we got the expiring deals that can come off the books in the summer of ’23. Those can be either trade pieces at the deadline for immediate assets, or commodities to cash in July ’23. Really only have exceptions money to spend this summer, and young players still blocked by combinations of vets + coach.
Lots of work to do.
Perhaps no plan at all might be the real reason, 4Quarters. Seems like last year’s success surprised the FO as well. Thibs & FO must get on the same page. Salary dump the vets, which takes Thibs’ favorite toys away. Then he’s forced to play the youngins, which has already slowly started. However, this FO does seem to have a decent plan on draft night. That’s why I’ve previously mentioned using the draft to assist in salary dumps. And then there’s Mitch. Alotta work to do Leon!
Randle can’t be part of this rebuild. Don’t see it. NY has had it with him. Only thing I can see in this. They won’t trash him and make him look bad (like Berman does), so they can trade him. Statistically there are few players who do what Randle does. Imo he needs a small market. Less pressure to perform and win.
It’s all about the Rebuild. It’s only been two yrs. All our picks have been solid in these two yrs. Even though it was a disappointing yr. There’s no reason to change course. I’m 100% with Rose. Just don’t get why you wouldn’t play youth sooner. And hopefully get a better pick in draft. At some point you have to play for next yr.
All about the draft now. A SF would be best scenario. But I doubt one will be there for us. A SG/2 should be there. With Grimmes here, do you take him ? I take Agbaji if he falls to us. I wouldn’t pass on him. Much rather trade up for Mathurin.
Another scenario is signing and trading Mitch (Pistons Grant). Then taking Duren in draft. Imo he’s going to be better than Mitch.
imo, Sims can give you most of what Mitch does and he’s probably less injury prone. I’m fine with Mitch leaving, either via FA or a sign and trade.
Al, I understand playing the kids sooner for development and getting a better draft pick, but playing to win every night builds culture which I’m also on board with. It’s a delicate balance…there’s no reason to overpay for Mitch when Duren might fall. Williams will also be there at 12…as for Randle, let’s call up Portland and see what happens. Dame needs another viable option and they have the cap space.
Knicks trade Mitch for a first rounder in this draft, banking on signing Nic Claxton this summer.
Why not just draft a big man and save that $$?