Knicks Rumors: Woodson, Lin, Amare
The Knicks’ season may be over but we have a summer full of intrigue out of MSG to look forward to. Here’s the latest on the orange and blue..
- At the urging of Garden management, head coach Mike Woodson has decided to drop agent Joe Glass as he negotiates a new deal, writes Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Glass is also the agent for Larry Brown and the Knicks are still bitter over the coach’s tumultuous season with the club. Woodson, who has denied that he is in talks for a new contract, is believed to be signing with CAA.
- Woodson’s refusal to name Jeremy Lin as the team’s starting point guard next season indicates that he would like a veteran at the helm, writes Al Iannazzone of Newsday.
- Despite the criticism that he has endured as of late, forward Amare Stoudemire insists that one couldn’t ask for a better core than himself, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler, Iannazzone writes.
- Earlier today we rounded up another batch of Knicks notes and Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated had some news on what may be in store for the franchise.
Amick On Woodson, Smith, Fields, Lin, Amare
After being bounced by the Heat in five games, the Knicks' offseason is now underway. The club will have a lot of important decisions to make in the coming months, and Sam Amick of SportsIllustrated.com has the goods on what might be in the club's immediate future..
- Even though Mike Woodson shot down a report that he has had extension talks with the Knicks, a source close to the situation said that the coach has been telling people that he has had preliminary discussions with team officials about his return. Although anything can happen when it comes to the Knicks, the signs are strong that the Knicks will keep their coach rather than chase big names such as Phil Jackson or John Calipari.
- Retaining Woodson would help the Knicks in their effort to retain J.R. Smith. The guard will likely turn down his $2.5MM option for next season.
- Jeremy Lin's return seems like a foregone conclusion at this point as the Knicks can use their mid-level exception to match any offer. However, that could have a ripple effect on the rest of the club's roster. If the Knicks use the exception on Lin, they wouldn't be able to go $4MM above the luxury-tax threshold. Interested parties and CBA expert Larry Coon have indicated to Amick that Landry Fields would be on the outside-looking-in while retaining Steve Novak would also be a challenge.
- Can the Knicks move Amare Stoudemire this summer? One Western Conference exec said, "I can't think of anyone who has less trade value." The internal sentiment, according to one source close to the situation, is that this group can get it done with a core of Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler with a three-year window to make a title push.
- Even though Anthony and Stoudemire didn't play particularly well with Lin this season, the Knicks' front office is more focused on making it work than they are on considering any major changes, according to sources close to the situation.
- The Knicks were among the teams that asked the Hornets about Chris Paul before he was traded to the Clippers in December, according to sources.
Woodson: Lin Will “Absolutely” Return To Knicks
According to coach Mike Woodson, free agent point guard Jeremy Lin will "absolutely" return to the Knicks for next season. Woodson told reporters, including Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, that Lin is a key part of the team going forward.
"Jeremy's a big part of our team. Will he start? Only time will tell," Woodson said. "He has to recover from his knee and use the summer to work on his game to put himself in the best position possible for our ballclub…. He has started for our team and he has played well for our basketball team. But this summer will be very pivotal for him in terms of his improvement and the future is very bright for him. Will he be back next year? Absolutely. He's a big part of our ballclub."
Earlier today, we heard that there could be as many as six teams preparing to make a run at Lin in free agency. However, since the 23-year-old is a restricted free agent, the Knicks will have the option to match any offer sheet he signs with another club.
While Woodson's comments don't guarantee anything – Woodson himself isn't even under contract for next season yet – it appears that New York is prepared to match any offers for Lin. Doing so would probably mean using up most or all of the team's mid-level exception, limiting its ability to sign other free agents.
Knicks Rumors: Nash, Lin, Fields, Novak
Following New York's Game Five loss in Miami last night, we rounded up a few Knicks-related notes, but the news and rumors keep coming. Here's the latest as the Knicks prepare for an eventful offseason:
- Amare Stoudemire would love to play alongside former Suns teammate Steve Nash in the Big Apple next year, as he told Frank Isola and Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News. "Everyone knows that Steve loves New York and that New York loves Steve," Stoudemire said. "I love Steve. It would be great to have him here next year."
- It's long been rumored that the Suns will offer Nash a two-year, $20MM deal, but Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld believes the point guard will leave money on the table to join a contender (Twitter link). The above-linked Daily News report suggests that if if Nash were to sign for the veteran minimum, he'd only go to a title contender. I'm not sure why he'd have to settle for the minimum though, no matter where he signed.
- Jeremy Lin endorsed Knicks coach Mike Woodson, and told Marc Berman of the New York Post he'd like to remain in New York. According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, as many as six teams could be preparing to make a run at Lin, though as I explained yesterday, the Gilbert Arenas provision will allow the Knicks to match any offers.
- Landry Fields and Steve Novak were among the other Knicks free agents to express their desire to return next season. Fields told Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com he'd "love" to be back, while Novak said there's no place he'd rather play, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com. I think Fields will be re-signed, but the team may not have the financial flexibility to hang on to Novak.
- Despite their early exit from this year's postseason, the Knicks are on the right track, says Tom Ziller of SBNation.com. Stoudemire also sees better days ahead for the team, as George Willis of the New York Post writes.
Knicks Notes: J.R. Smith, Stoudemire, Anthony
The Knicks delayed the inevitable with a win Sunday in Game 4 to avoid a sweep, but they met their fate tonight, losing 106-94 to the Heat in Game 5. Now, with seven free agents on the roster, the offseason work begins. Earlier today we heard the Knicks plan to bring back coach Mike Woodson, but that's just the first step in a busy summer ahead.
- J.R. Smith is sending mixed messages about whether he'll return, as Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com notes. He's expected to turn down his $2.5MM option for next season, and earlier this evening we heard he's keeping close tabs on the Nuggets, his old team.
- In addition to free agents Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields, Royce Young of CBSSports.com believes the team must decide on its future with Amare Stoudemire this summer.
- Sean Deveney of The Sporting News says the Knicks must find a consistent identity going forward after a season when it seemed like there were half a dozen different Knicks teams.
- The Knicks won't be one the final four teams left in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but Carmelo Anthony believes they're one of the top teams in the East and is optimistic about the future in New York, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post.
- Tyson Chandler is less upbeat, telling reporters, including Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com, "It's unacceptable to me. I didn't come here to lose in the first round and I don't plan on doing this in the future."
Odds & Ends: Garnett, Josh Smith, Chandler, Oden
- Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution rounded up a few remarks from Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr., who called Kevin Garnett, a free agent this summer, "the dirtiest guy in the league." Gearon praised Josh Smith, who enters the final season of his contract next year, saying, "We wouldn't be where we are without him."
- Dallas Morning News columnist Kevin Sherrington, in a chat, makes the claim that former Mavs center Tyson Chandler could have swung the team's series with the Thunder.
- In light of today's news that Greg Oden will return in 2013, John Canzano of The Oregonian looks back on Oden's tenure with the Blazers and hopes the team learns from the mistake of drafting him.
Northwest Rumors: J.R. Smith, Jazz, Nolan Smith
The Nuggets took a major step toward joining the Thunder in the second round with a win over the Lakers last night, while the rest of the Northwest looks ahead at the offseason. Here's the latest from the division:
- Former Nuggets guard J.R. Smith, who's expected to turn down his $2.5MM Knicks option for next season, has been keeping a close watch on his former team as they play in the postseason, writes Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida.
- Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune says Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor is poised to make only minor moves this summer, but Smith believes the franchise is still searching for its identity.
- Pete Christopher of OregonLive.com encourages the Blazers to hang on to Nolan Smith, the 21st pick in last year's draft, and go after an experienced veteran point guard to mentor him.
Knicks Plan To Bring Back Mike Woodson
The Knicks aren't in good shape in the first round series against the Heat, plagued by injuries and down 3-1 heading into tonight's game in Miami. But despite the team's seemingly imminent playoff exit, interim coach Mike Woodson has been informed by owner James Dolan that the Knicks intend to bring him back for next season, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
A New York Daily News report this week suggested that the two sides had started discussing a contract extension for Woodson, though the Knicks' head coach adamently denied that to local media yesterday. According to Berman, the team will announce a new contract for its coach sometime after the season.
Although there had been plenty of speculation that the Knicks would pursue 11-time champion Phil Jackson for the permanent job, Berman hears from multiple sources that the club never contacted the former Bulls and Lakers coach.
Odds & Ends: Woodson, Van Gundy, Jazz, Perkins
With an exciting night of NBA playoff madness still underway, we take a break from the action to catch up on the latest news and happenings from around the league.
- Mike Woodson has done more than enough to get a shot at coaching the Knicks for an entire season, writes Neil Best of Newsday (subscribers only).
- Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today says Stan Van Gundy would like to return to the Magic next season but realizes that decision is not entirely up to him.
- The Jazz could have a busy offseason ahead of them as they look to add depth at the point guard and power forward positions, reports HoopsWorld's Derek Page.
- The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry thinks Kendrick Perkins' health is a big question mark as the Thunder look ahead to the second round of the playoffs.
- The Plain Dealer's Mike Pettica has the latest updates on the Cavs' plans for the upcoming NBA draft.
- Mavs center Brendan Haywood discusses in a radio interview why adding Deron Williams to the roster would pay huge dividends for the team in the immediate future.
- The signing of Shane Battier has proven to be fruitful for the Heat especially considering the defense he has been playing against Carmelo Anthony, writes Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Jeremy Lin
The story of Jeremy Lin has been told countless times over the course of the 2011/2012 season. From going undrafted coming out of Harvard in 2010 to starring for the Knicks after being waived twice prior to the start of the season, Lin's young career has been an emotional roller coaster of extreme highs and incredible lows in just two short years. With the star point guard seemingly sidelined for the remainder of the playoffs due to a torn meniscus, Lin will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent.
A quick look at Lin's numbers, while a limited sample size, reveal a developing star who would be a welcome addition to any team's backcourt. Lin played in 35 games with the Knicks during the 2011/2012 season in which he started 25 contests. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 14.6 PPG and 6.2 APG after signing with the Knicks on December 27. Heading into his third season, Lin will look to hold onto the ball with more care after averaging 3.6 turnovers per game with the Knicks.
Lin's value goes beyond his contributions at the point guard position as he is a dream for any team's marketing staff. As an intelligent individual with deep religious convictions, similar to the NFL's Tim Tebow, Lin became an instant fan favorite with the Madison Square Garden crowd. He also demonstrated burgeoning leadership ability that unified a fractured team and was quickly respected by his teammates including veterans Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony. Thanks to jersey and t-shirt sales associated with "Linsanity," Madison Square Garden saw merchandise profits increase in the single-digit millions.
The Knicks will be afforded a strong opportunity to retain Lin thanks to changes to what teams can offer restricted free agents with fewer than three years in the league. Dubbed the "Gilbert Arenas provision," teams looking to compete with the Knicks for Lin's services cannot offer more than the mid-level exception for the first year of a new contract. This will allow for the Knicks to be able to match any offer made by another team looking to steal Lin away from MSG. The Knicks will seemingly look to sign Lin for more than one season as Lin would once again become a restricted free agent in 2013 in which the Knicks would only be protected by holding Lin's Early Bird Rights.
Re-signing Lin should still allow the Knicks to be able to retain Landry Fields, who is also slated to become a restricted free agent this offseason. Fields' performance in his second season could be described as a disappointment after enjoying a surprisingly successful rookie campaign with the Knicks. The former Stanford star saw his points per game decrease (9.7 to 8.8) as well as his rebounds per game (6.4 to 4.2) while averaging nearly three minutes less per contest.
Unless the Knicks attempt to sign Steve Nash (unlikely) as a prerequisite for Phil Jackson coming on board (even less likely), look for Lin to be wearing orange and blue this October.