Knicks Notes: Ntilikina, Bledsoe, Kanter
Frank Ntilikina, who remains out of the lineup with a sprained ankle hears his name in the Eric Bledsoe trade rumors, but it’s not something he’s worried about, as Al Iannazzone of News Day relays. The No. 8 overall pick said it was “nice” that the Suns have interest in him, but his focus remains on getting healthy.
The Knicks spoke to the Suns about Bledsoe after Phoenix made it clear that it was shopping the point guard. GM Ryan McDonough apparently wants Ntilikina and Willy Hernangomez for the Kentucky product, but Iannazzone hears that neither player is on the table at the moment in a Bledsoe talks. While whispers of Ntilikina being off-limits are circulating, the team hasn’t told the French point guard that he won’t be dealt.
“Not really. No,” Ntilikina said. “I’m focused on basketball and on how I can make my ankle be better and my game be better so I can be back on the court.”
There’s more the New York:
- The Knicks have “gone out of their way” to include Ntilikina and Hernagomez when discussing their cornerstone players Iannazzone notes (same piece). The scribe can’t envision the team dealing either player away for Bledsoe unless Phoenix is willing to take on long-term money, like the contracts of Joakim Noah or Courtney Lee.
- New York will have to address its surplus of centers at some point in the future, Iannazzone adds. Hernangomez is currently out of the rotation as he watched Kyle O’Quinn and Enes Kanter gobble up the minutes at the five. Joakim Noah will only be suspended nine more games after tonight’s tilt against the Nets and Kristaps Porzingis could use additional minutes at the center position.
- Kanter, who arrived in New York via the Carmelo Anthony deal, has played well in his first two games with the club, scoring a total of 27 points in 46 minutes. The big man has also developed on-court chemistry with Porzingiz. However, Fred Kerber of the New York Post wonders if Kanter’s presence is hurting the team long-term, as the franchise may be better served to give Hernangomez more opportunities.
Nets Recall Isaiah Whitehead From G League
- After spending the day in the G League, Isaiah Whitehead has been recalled to the Nets, the team announced this evening in a press release.
- Despite some minutes becoming available in the Nets‘ backcourt in the wake of Jeremy Lin‘s season-ending injury, second-year guard Isaiah Whitehead hasn’t cracked the rotation. Brooklyn is sending him to the Long Island Nets to get him some playing time, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
New York Notes: Ntilikina, Hernangomez, Dinwiddie
The Knicks are one of the teams that has been linked to Eric Bledsoe as the Suns explore trade options for their veteran point guard, with one report earlier today suggesting Phoenix would want both Frank Ntilikina and Willy Hernangomez in a deal with New York.
In his latest piece for ESPN.com, Ian Begley confirms that the Knicks are one of the teams that have reached out to Phoenix and adds that the Suns have indeed asked about both Ntilikina and Hernangomez. However, New York has been opposed to trading either player, sources inform Begley. The Knicks found the Suns’ asking price “outrageous,” a source tells Marc Berman of The New York Post.
According to Begley, players like Kyle O’Quinn, Lance Thomas, and Courtney Lee have drawn some trade interest in recent weeks, but it seems unlikely that those veterans would be of much interest to the Suns, who are believed to be seeking younger players. Hernangomez would seem to be a logical target, considering he isn’t currently in the Knicks’ rotation. But despite playing O’Quinn and Enes Kanter ahead of Hernangomez, the club isn’t currently looking to move the big man, says Begley.
Here’s more on the Knicks and their cross-town rivals in Brooklyn:
- Although the Knicks aren’t interested in trading Ntilikina, they haven’t been able to get him on the floor early in the season either, as Fred Kerber of The New York Post writes. Currently, Ntilikina is being nagged by an ankle injury.
- With Jeremy Lin out for the season, young guard Spencer Dinwiddie has earned the opportunity to step up and take on a larger role in Brooklyn, says Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Dinwiddie, who joined the Nets as a free agent last December, is under contract through 2018/19, though his contract isn’t guaranteed.
- It has been five years since the Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn, prompting CEO Brett Yormark to reflect on that move in an interview with Pollstar Pro. NetsDaily has rounded up the highlights of that interview, passing along several quotes from Yormark, who admits the franchise didn’t handle the transition period as well as it could have.
Suns Interested In Nets’ Unprotected First-Rounder
The Suns are ready to fully commit to rebuilding after firing coach Earl Watson and that includes trying to obtain the Nets’ unprotected first-rounder that currently belongs to Cleveland, writes Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.
Phoenix plans to explore trades involving veterans Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler, among others, Amico adds. The organization sees Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren as the building blocks for its future and would like to add other young talent to the mix.
Brooklyn’s pick has been seen as one of the league’s most valuable trade assets for several years. The Celtics obtained it in a 2013 trade involving Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and shipped it to the Cavaliers in the offseason deal for Kyrie Irving.
Cleveland hasn’t committed to keeping the pick, but a source tells Amico the asking price will be extremely high and that Bledsoe and another player probably won’t be enough. The Cavs had offseason discussions with the Suns about obtaining Bledsoe in exchange for Irving and could use help at point guard with Isaiah Thomas expected to be sidelined until January.
Jameer Nelson Clears Waivers, Drawing Interest
OCTOBER 21, 1:56pm: In addition to Houston, the Nets, Hornets, and Pelicans are all interested in Nelson, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Nelson is looking for an opportunity that will allow him to play a significant role this season, Woj adds (via Twitter).
All four teams linked to Nelson are dealing with injuries at the point guard position, with Jeremy Lin, Michael Carter-Williams, and Rajon Rondo currently sidelined for Brooklyn, Charlotte, and New Orleans, respectively.
OCTOBER 20, 5:19pm: Veteran point guard Jameer Nelson has cleared waivers after being released by the Nuggets and the 35-year-old has already been contacted by a number of NBA teams, Chris Haynes of ESPN tweets.
One possible landing spot for the 13-year vet is Houston. Given that the Rockets may be particularly cautious with Chris Paul‘s knee injury and potentially seek a temporary replacement, Nelson could possibly slot in until Paul fully recovers.
Haynes mentioned Houston specifically as one of the teams with whom Nelson’s representation has been in touch. The Rockets currently roster just 14 players, so they’d be able to add Nelson without any other moves.
What’s more, as Bobby Marks of ESPN writes, Houston is $2.8MM below the luxury tax, giving them just enough space to sign Nelson to a $2.3MM veteran’s minimum deal without consequence. That sort of deal would only count for a prorated portion of $1.471MM against the Rockets’ cap.
Jeremy Lin Expected To Make Full Recovery
- Jeremy Lin underwent successful surgery on his ruptured patella tendon and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The Nets point guard is also expected to make a full recovery, per the team.
Nets' G League Affiliate Makes Multiple Trades
- The Rockets‘ G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, sent a first-round pick to the Long Island Nets in exchange for R.J. Hunter‘s returning rights. Hunter, a former first-round pick, intends to suit up for the Vipers, his agent confirms to Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days (Twitter link).
- The Long Island Nets acquired the returning rights to Okaro White and Jamaal Franklin in a trade with the Memphis Hustle, according to a press release. White is still on the Heat‘s NBA roster and recently had his 2017/18 salary guaranteed, so Brooklyn’s affiliate seems unlikely to get its hands on him this season.
Orthopedic Surgeon Weighs In On Jeremy Lin Injury
- Brian Lewis of The New York Post spoke to orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Gladstone about the outlook for Nets guard Jeremy Lin‘s recovery from his season-ending knee injury.
Nets’ Jeremy Lin Out For Season
Veteran point guard Jeremy Lin suffered a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee during Brooklyn’s season opener in Indiana on Wednesday, the Nets announced today in a press release. According to the team, Lin is expected to miss the entire 2017/18 season.
“Jeremy worked tremendously hard during the offseason and in training camp and was excited for the prospects of the team this season,” GM Sean Marks said in a statement. “We feel awful that the injury will cost him the season, however our entire organization will be there to support Jeremy in every way possible throughout his recovery. Jeremy remains an important part of this team and will continue to contribute in a leadership role.”
Lin, who sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of the Nets’ opener against the Pacers, landed awkwardly after a drive to the basket. As we detailed on Wednesday night, the injury immediately looked like a bad one, with Lin grabbing his knee and repeatedly saying, “I’m done.”
It’s a devastating blow for the Nets, who hoped to have Lin healthy this season after injuries limited him to just 36 games in his first year in Brooklyn. The Nets went 13-23 when Lin played last year and 7-39 when he didn’t, a reflection of his importance to the club. The 29-year-old had been set to share the starting backcourt with fellow point guard D’Angelo Russell in a pairing that was off to a good start in Indiana before Lin went down — the duo combined for 48 points in the game.
With Lin sidelined, backup point guard Isaiah Whitehead figures to be in for a larger role this season. Brooklyn could also lean more heavily on guards like Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Sean Kilpatrick, with Allen Crabbe potentially moving into the starting lineup.
As for Lin, we wish him a speedy – and full – recovery. He’ll be in line for an interesting decision after the season, with a 2018/19 player option on his contract. It’s worth about $12.52MM.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Jeremy Lin Injures Knee, Will Be Evaluated Thursday
There is “tremendous concern” about Jeremy Lin‘s right knee after the Nets guard limped off the court in the fourth quarter tonight, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Lin’s knee will be evaluated Thursday in New York.
Lin had “a look of shock on his face” as he went to the floor, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post. He adds that Lin called to the bench and his eyes welled up with “an expression that’s not encouraging.” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game that Lin is having his knee checked and there is “legit concern” about his condition (Twitter link).
The injury occurred on a play where Lin was driving to the basket and was met by two Pacers defenders, according to Kristian Winfield of SB Nation. He landed awkwardly and grabbed his knee while repeatedly saying, “I’m done.”
Lin was limited to 36 games last year in his first season with the Nets because of problems with his left hamstring. He has a player option for next season worth more than $12.5MM, and his decision could be affected if this is a long-term injury.