Malcolm Brogdon‘s retirement announcement caught many around the league by surprise. Brogdon was presumed to have pole position in the preseason battle for a Knicks roster spot, and he was expecting to have a real role in head coach Mike Brown‘s rotation, write James L. Edwards III and Fred Katz for The Athletic.
Edwards and Katz, citing league sources, report that the cause for the sudden retirement was a feeling that he was no longer up for the toll, both physical and mental, that came from his many years of dealing with injuries. The Athletic’s duo notes that he wasn’t thinking about retiring in the run-up to training camp and only made his decision within the past couple days.
The Knicks had been widely reported to be seeking a trade that would allow them to keep both Brogdon and another veteran, presumably Landry Shamet. With this news, the team can retain Shamet for the regular season without making any further moves.
We have more Knicks notes:
- According to Edwards and Katz, sharpshooting guard Garrison Mathews was also in the mix with Brogdon and Shamet for the open regular season spot and the team may still try to keep both Shamet and Mathews. Mathews is averaging 6.8 points per game on 41.7% three-point shooting for the Knicks during the preseason. If he doesn’t make the Knicks’ final roster, Mathews isn’t planning on joining the Westchester Knicks in the G League, writes Stefan Bondy for the New York Post (subscriber link). “[The Knicks] got a lot of stuff going for them. And I think they’re going to be a contender,” Mathews said. “I’m just hoping I can be a part of it.”
- Josh Hart is getting closer to making his return for the Knicks after back spasms kept him out for much of the team’s preseason, reports Kristian Winfield for New York Daily News. Still, Brown isn’t sure if Hart will be ready for the Knicks’ preseason finale on Friday and made clear he doesn’t want to rush the recovery process, as Hart’s energy and health are crucial components of the Knicks’ identity. “At the end of the day, Josh is an extremely important part of our process,” Brown said. “We know this is gonna be a process.”
- The Knicks plan to manage Mitchell Robinson‘s minutes closely this season, reports SNY’s Ian Begley (via Twitter). Robinson has been starting with Karl-Anthony Towns throughout the preseason, but given his extensive injury history, New York plans to hold the defensive-minded center out of some games as a precaution. Robinson, when healthy, has been a crucial part of the Knicks’ playoff success over the last few years. Begley also noted (Twitter video link) that Robinson missed practice today with some lingering soreness after sitting out the second half of the team’s most recent preseason game.
Brogdone.
Fake 2K —— you went out of your way. To be insulting over Brogdon getting invited to Knicks camp. You became a Knick expert. Though you were told it was a non guarantee invite. Since you don’t bother to read the facts. You were told he wouldn’t beat out McBride or Landry. Yet you pushed the hype like the Knick expert you are.
Now we are here. Where we Knick fans who actually follow and watch the games. Said we’d be. Landry and Diawara. “Troll with no game…. All he got is the print of others. Print to front to sound knowledgeable. Ends up swallowing all that matters”
Now we know how accurate all of that so called reporting was. Most of these journalist are just making speculation and claiming sources. And I am not talking about the Hoops Rumors crew, but the beat reporters and the national reporters who echo each others nonsense.
Yes there is too much of that. All about clicks and numbers. Some of them just make it up lol. Somebody had to know Brogdon wasn’t physically there. Just milked it.
Last year Landry was Knicks most consistent bench player, both ways. McBride didn’t have a good year. So this year you add Yabusele, Clarkson, Shamet, a good year from Miles. And you have Mitch from start of season. Add Hukporti, Kolek, Diadet, Diawara.
The Knicks easily go ten deep. The young guys have to push the vets. And be ready to go when needed. Knick fans should feel real good about the bench this year. Which was the lowest scoring bench in the L. Last year.
Knicks have one more big trade in them. Probably have to be a three way. Mitch is on an expiring contract. And Hukporti is ready to backup Towns (16 mins a gm). Knicks need to find a big PF to play with Towns. That is the missing piece on this team. They have Mitch, Diadet, Kolek to use in a trade to upgrade.
If New York were planning to trade Diadet or Kolek before Saturday, I’d still do it. Sign Burks to come back or Wright. I know Payne is no longer available
I would rather have Killian Hayes than Landry. I think Deuce, Yabusele, Hart, whoever plays 5 with 2nd team (hopefully Hukporti steps up) are enough offense. Hayes is a really good defender.
Knicks need Wolf & Timme from the Nets