Hornacek: Knicks Balancing Short-Term, Long-Term Priorities
Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek spoke to reporters, including Marc Berman of the New York Post, about the importance of balancing short-term and long-term priorities. While the Knicks remain in the playoff picture, Hornacek would be hesitant to mortgage the team’s future in favor of pursuing a postseason run this season.
“If we’re looking at just trying to make the playoffs, I would say we have a team if we all stay healthy we have a shot at it,’’ Hornacek said. “As far as a rebuild, I haven’t talked about that. We’re trying to get that system in and working, gotten better the last couple of weeks, we’re trying to build on that. If it ends up being a rebuild, we’ll work on that. If it’s the same team we’ll work on that.”
Aside from trading Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks have options to improve the team around the February 23rd deadline. Berman suggests Brandon Jennings or Derrick Rose could be in play, provided the Knicks receive draft picks in return. Hornacek is in the first year of a three-year pact with the Knicks, and wants his team to be well-positioned for a bounce-back 2017/18 campaign.
“We have to understand we have to try to develop something for the long term. If we’re just skipping steps just to get in the playoffs, that would be great for this year, then what do you do next year? We want to try to combine those two,” Hornacek said. “We still feel we can get into the playoffs, which it was in the beginning of the year. We had to see if they were going to mesh as a group. At times it looks pretty good. There’s other times it hasn’t. We’re struggling with that consistency.”
Knicks Notes: Noah, Rose, Anthony, Lee
Knicks management views Joakim Noah as a backup center for next season, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Noah has been a disappointment since joining the organization on a four-year, $72MM deal last summer. The Knicks realize it would be nearly impossible to trade that contract, but they plan to reduce his role in the future. And Berman notes that the recent play of rookie Willy Hernangomez may push Noah to the bench before the end of the season. “Obviously we got to get Billy more minutes, whether coming off the bench first, maybe starting him,” said coach Jeff Hornacek. “We’re still looking at all that stuff. Kyle [O’Quinn] gives us great minutes at times. You have to go with the flow and feel.”
There’s more tonight out of New York:
- Derrick Rose realizes he could be a candidate to be traded before the February 23rd deadline, posts Ian Begley on ESPN Now. Rose, who was acquired from the Bulls in an offseason deal, is in the final year of his contract and might be moved if the front office elects to rebuild. “It’s something me and my agent haven’t talked about,” Rose said. “I haven’t talked to [GM] Steve [Mills] or the front office about it. It’s something that hasn’t been out there. It’s a thought, like it’s a one-year deal. It’s a business. Just got to wait and see.”
- LeBron James did little to quiet speculation about a Kevin Love for Carmelo Anthony rumor when he was asked about it, Berman writes in another story. James refused to tell reporters if he has spoken to Anthony about a possible deal, adding that he wants Anthony to find the best situation, no matter where it is. “If he’s there in New York or not, I just want the best for him,” James said. “I want him to be happy. That’s all that matters. The game comes very easy to you when you’re happy about where you’re at. So if he’s happy in New York, maybe he wants to be elsewhere, I’m not sure. He’s done a lot for that franchise, did a lot for the Denver franchise and see what happens.”
- Courtney Lee, who joined the Knicks on a $50MM contract over the summer is opposed to rebuilding, Berman relays in the same piece. “I signed here to be in a winning situation,’’ Lee said. “The reason why we signed here was to try to make the playoffs and we still have a great chance of doing that. It doesn’t matter what the record is, as long as we get there, it’s a new slate.”
Atlantic Notes: McConnell, Rose, Nogueira
The Sixers have rejected a trade offer from the Cavaliers that would have sent starting point guard T.J. McConnell to the defending champions, says Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The proposed Philly-bound package was said to have included Jordan McRae.
McConnell has become a significant part of the Sixers’ rotation of late, averaging 7.5 points and 8.9 assists per game in January. The Cavs are in the market for a backup point guard, at least according to LeBron James, so it’s not surprising to hear that they’ve inquired about the 24-year-old sophomore.
Under contract for just $800K, McConnell has quickly become one of the best bargains in the NBA. His role in the Sixers’ recent success — the team has won 10 of their past 14 — is one of the major reasons why he’s become a possible trade target ahead of the February 23 trade deadline.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- After a healthy first few months of the season, Derrick Rose has come up limping. The point guard sprained his ankle Friday night and has been wearing a protective walking boot. According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is doubtful he’ll see the guard return before Tuesday.
- Though they lost Bismack Biyombo to free agency over the summer, the Raptors have a suitable replacement in Lucas Nogueira, says Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. Nogueira rivals Biyombo in terms of rim protection, Ganter says, but their playing styles deviate from there. Nogueira’s offensive awareness and soft hands are traits Biyombo never displayed in Toronto.
- The fact that the Celtics need to improve their rebounding is not lost on general manager Danny Ainge, says A. Sherrod Blakeley of CSN New England. “I knew going into the year that rebounding would be an issue for us,” Ainge said. The reporter adds that Ainge wasn’t ready to start discussing possible trade scenarios, however.
Latest On Carmelo Anthony
Although the Celtics have stated that they’re not interested in dealing for Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks haven’t given up on them as a trade partner, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. New York had a scout at Saturday’s Celtics game and the organization is “intrigued” by several of Boston’s players.
A source told Washburn that Knicks president Phil Jackson has issued orders to move Anthony, who has indicated that the Celtics are one of the teams he would consider waiving his no-trade clause to join. Another source says Brad Stevens would love to coach Anthony, but president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has rejected the Knicks’ overtures. Washburn adds that Boston could serve as a third team to help send Anthony to the Clippers.
There’s more this morning on the Anthony trade front:
- The Celtics present the only realistic trade destination for Anthony, according to Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports. In a video posted on CSNNE, Mannix says Ainge is in a “great position” to present the Knicks with a lowball offer and dare them to keep Anthony past the February 23rd deadline. Mannix speculates that any deal wouldn’t involve the Nets’ first-rounders that Boston owns for the next two seasons, but may include other Celtics draft picks. He also dismissed recent rumors of a Knicks-Clippers deal, saying it won’t happen unless New York is willing to accept a “garbage package” involving Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford and others.
- Anthony admits the trade rumors can be a distraction, relays Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com. “You’ve got to deal with that, even though I try not to read it,” he told reporters. “And everywhere you go, even if you don’t hear about it, somebody is telling you about it, somebody is saying something. It can be mentally draining, mentally fatiguing.”
- If the Knicks trade Anthony, they should also get rid of Derrick Rose and some of the other veterans they added over the offseason, suggests Newsday’s Al Iannazzone. Rose is a defensive liability and has already deserted the team once, Iannazzone notes, adding that he doesn’t appear to be part of the team’s “long-term solution.” He also writes that free agent additions Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings didn’t come to New York to play for a team without Anthony, and believes the organization should commit to rebuilding if Anthony is traded.
Atlantic Notes: Rose, Zeller, General Electric
There has been plenty of speculation surrounding possible Carmelo Anthony trade scenarios, but Frank Isola of the New York Daily News argues that the Knicks would be better served dealing Derrick Rose instead.
Amid all the drama that has unfolded in New York, Rose has quietly put forth his best season since 2011/12. In 41 games for the Knicks, Rose has averaged 18.1 points and 4.5 assists per game. Still, despite the subtle improvements, Isola doesn’t think that the club could legitimately consider signing the 28-year-old guard long-term.
Isola suggests that the Knicks move Rose and his valuable expiring contract instead. He adds that the Knicks, then, should decrease the minutes assigned to Anthony so that they could dangle a high first-round pick and abundant available cap space when pursuing possible free agents next summer.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Out of action since December, Tyler Zeller will return to action for the Celtics tonight, a report published on the team’s official site says. The big man had been battling an illness that affected his inner-ear and consequently, his balance. Zeller averages 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
- The Celtics will announce a jersey sponsorship agreement with General Electric, tweets Darren Rovell of ESPN. Previously the Sixers agreed to a deal with StubHub and the Kings to a deal with Blue Diamond Almonds.
- A regularly scheduled foot scan has revealed that Ben Simmons is healing according to plan, writes Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. In training camp, the Sixers rookie suffered a Jones fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.
Knicks Notes: Jackson, Anthony, Hernangomez, Rose
The tactics that Phil Jackson used as a coach don’t work well for an executive, writes Frank Isola of The New York Daily News. Isola contends that the Knicks president has been playing mind games with Carmelo Anthony in the media, possibly trying to get him to waive his no-trade clause. Anthony turned that around this week by speculating that he might agree to a trade if the Knicks ask him to, putting the decision back on Jackson. Isola also questions how long owner James Dolan is willing to watch an executive publicly criticize his best player. He notes that the Knicks are 5-14 since Jackson’s December 6th interview when he accused Anthony of slowing down the offense. After another disappointing loss Saturday night in which his last-second 3-pointer rimmed out, Anthony said he tries not to concern himself with off-court issues. “I’m done kinda worrying about that,” he said. “My only focus is the guys in the locker room.”
There’s more today out of New York:
- It might be time for Anthony and the Knicks to part ways, writes George Willis of The New York Post. Willis believes an Anthony deal might be necessary considering the current state of the team, which is now 19-26 and three games out of the final playoff spot. Anthony met with Jackson earlier this week to discuss a column by Jackson confidant Charley Rosen suggesting that Anthony was no longer useful in New York. Willis notes that Anthony would get an additional $9.9MM over two seasons if he gets traded and lists the Cavaliers, Clippers and Celtics as possible destinations.
- The Knicks believe they found a steal in rookie Willy Hernangomez, writes Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Hernangomez has been drawing comparisons to Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, his teammate on the Spanish National Team. “When I heard that, I felt great because it means they see what I can do,” Hernangomez said. “I try to work hard every day, and when I have the chance to be on the court, I do my best. For me, I feel very happy when they compare me to Marc Gasol.” Henangomez is averaging 5.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 36 games. The Knicks acquired his rights in a draft-day trade in 2015 after the Sixers took him with the 35th pick.
- Point guard Derrick Rose isn’t getting foul calls on his drives to the basket the way he used to in Chicago, writes Brian Heyman for Newsday.
Knicks Notes: Anthony, Jackson, Rose, Porzingis
Carmelo Anthony‘s relationship with team president Phil Jackson is getting progressively worse, writes Frank Isola of The New York Daily News. Anthony remains bitter that Jackson refused to interview Tom Thibodeau for the Knicks’ coaching vacancy in May, and was further angered when Jackson stated publicly last month that Anthony was slowing down the triangle offense by holding the ball too long. Anthony reportedly went on a locker-room tirade after Wednesday’s loss to the Sixers, yelling at teammates for losing a 10-point lead in the final 2:30 and for not getting him the ball on the final possession. However, a source tells Isola that Anthony remains unlikely to waive his no-trade clause.
There’s more out of New York:
- A 15% trade kicker makes Anthony very difficult to trade if he does give his consent, notes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Even though the Knicks would pay the kicker, it would push his salary cap figure to about $30MM, which would be tough for another team to match in a deal.
- Derrick Rose‘s agent, B.J. Armstrong, admits that Rose could have calmed the situation surrounding his absence from Monday’s game by contacting team officials, tweets Ian Begley of ESPN.com. ” I think in looking back, just a simple phone call or a simple text notifying the team to let them know what happened, what he needed to do and take care of with his family situation would clearly have been a thing he needed to do,” Armstrong said today in an interview with Sirius XM Radio. “He felt that he needed to go home and take care of a family matter … but I think the big thing that is coming from this story is that a simple text, a simple notifying someone from the Knicks to let them know what he needed to do.”
- Kristaps Porzingis is hoping to return for Monday’s game after being sidelined by a sore left Achilles, but he doesn’t want to repeat his mistake of playing before the injury is fully healed, relays Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Porzingis started having problems with the Achilles in late December. He sat out three games, returned for four, then missed Thursday’s game with the Bulls and doesn’t expect to play Sunday. “I need to get it 100 percent before I step back on the court again,” Porzingis said. “I need to take my time, calm down a little bit. I’m just too anxious to be out there. I was like, ‘You got to let me go, you got to let me go.’ But we have a tough schedule ahead of us. I want to be back as soon as possible. But at the same time, I want to make sure I’m healthy and that I can be 100 percent for the team.”
Knicks Notes: Rose, Porzingis, Anthony
When I asked Hoops Rumors readers on Thursday how long you expect Derrick Rose to remain a Knick, only about 15% of you said that he’d remain with the franchise beyond the end of the 2016/17 season. However, in the wake of a Monday incident in which he was unexpectedly absent from a game, Rose tells Michael Lee of The Vertical that he still wants to re-sign with the Knicks, and thinks the team has accepted his explanation for the absence.
“When I was in the room, I felt like they understood where I was coming from,” Rose said. “I hope one incident didn’t change their mind. Who knows? This is a business. If it was to happen, I still would want to play the way I normally know how to play wherever I’m at.”
While it may sound counterintuitive, there are a few reasons why keeping Rose on a long-term deal would be tempting for the Knicks, writes Ian Begley of ESPN.com. As Begley points out, there’s no guarantee that New York would be able to find a better point guard option if the team lets Rose walk. The veteran point guard also received rave reviews from former teammate Taj Gibson, who calls Rose “one of the greatest dudes I’ve ever been around,” adding that the former MVP is “misunderstood” (link via ESPN.com).
As we wait to see how things play out for Rose and the Knicks, here are a few more notes out of New York:
- Kristaps Porzingis‘ lingering Achilles issue, which forced him to miss another game on Thursday, is becoming a problem for the Knicks, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post.
- In a piece for ESPN.com, several writers, including Begley, Ohm Youngmisuk, and Kevin Pelton, debate the Knicks’ trade options, discussing whether the team should be a buyer or seller, and whether Rose and/or Carmelo Anthony could be moved.
- Did Phil Jackson‘s offseason moves make the Knicks a better team? A month ago, the answer would have been yes, but it’s not so clear anymore, Begley writes in another ESPN.com piece. As Begley notes, New York actually had a .500 record through 40 games last season. This year, the club is 18-22.
Knicks Rumors: Rose, Anthony, Gaines Jr.
Knicks point guard Derrick Rose shot down a rumor that he mulled retirement during his one-game absence from the team on Monday, Marc Berman of the New York Post reports. “That’s something I don’t even want to speak into existence by commenting on it,’’ Rose told Berman. “I don’t know who would do that. Not at all. I was with my family.’’ Rose was fined $193,848, or 1/110th of his salary, for missing the game without giving the club prior notice. Rose claimed he went to Chicago to visit his mother for what he called a family crisis, though there are indications he went there to see his son, Berman adds.
In other developments surrounding the club:
- The hurdles that must be cleared to trade Carmelo Anthony prevents the Knicks from rebuilding with younger players like the Sixers are doing, Fred Kerber of the New York Post argues. Finding a trade partner willing to take on the final two years of Anthony’s contract will be nearly impossible, Kerber notes — not only would a potential trade partner have to commit to $54MM+ in salary over the next two years, but a 15% trade kicker would force that team to cough up another $10MM. On top of that, Anthony would have to waive his no-trade provision, Kerber adds.
- Rose hopes his one-game absence doesn’t affect the club’s feelings toward him when he enters free agency this summer, as he relayed to Ian Begley of ESPN.com. “I hope one incident didn’t change their minds,” he said. “Who knows? This is a business and if it was to happen I’m still going to play the way I normally know how to play no matter where I’m at.”
- The Knicks have not gotten any better defensively under first-year coach Jeff Hornacek, one of several reasons why the team will only get worse, Berman opines in a separate piece. Berman cites the Rose drama and Kristaps Porzingis‘ recent struggles with a sore Achilles as two other factors in the team’s continuing demise.
- The rising influence of Clarence Gaines Jr. is the main reason why the team chose forward Maurice Ndour over point guard Chasson Randle on the opening-day roster, Berman writes in still another piece, citing a source. Gaines was promoted from an advisory role to vice president of player personnel under president Phil Jackson. Randle signed a 10-day contract with the Sixers on Monday after a strong D-League showing.
Poll: How Long Will Derrick Rose Remain A Knick?
Although Derrick Rose spoke optimistically earlier in the season about a possible contract extension with the Knicks, and the team was said to be open to the idea, there were already questions about the long-term outlook of the relationship even before Rose went AWOL on Monday, missing the team’s game against New Orleans.
The Knicks and Rose patched things up following his unexpected absence, with the team accepting the point guard’s explanation and choosing to fine him rather than suspend him. Rose was back in the starting lineup on Wednesday night, and had a solid game, though the Knicks blew a big fourth-quarter lead to the Sixers.
Still, there were reports this week suggesting that the relationship between Rose and head coach Jeff Hornacek is frayed, along with reports that indicated the former MVP’s future in New York looks increasingly uncertain.
Rose is a free agent at season’s end, and while there are rumblings that he could seek a maximum-salary contract, he’s unlikely to land a deal in that neighborhood. His ability to slash and create on offense provides the Knicks with a skill set that their other guards don’t possess, but based on the way the first half has played out, there’s a good chance the team looks elsewhere to fill that point guard position.
If things continue to go south in New York, it’s possible Rose won’t even finish the season with the club — if the Knicks fall out of the playoff race and know they won’t re-sign Rose, there would be little reason to keep him, so a trade or buyout could be in play.
What do you think? Will Rose finish the season in New York? Will he leave in the offseason? Or are the two sides capable of turning things around and making their marriage a long-term one? Vote in our poll below, and jump into the comments section to weigh in with your thoughts!
How long will Derrick Rose remain a Knick?
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He'll leave the Knicks in the offseason 54% (794)
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He won't finish the season with the Knicks 30% (446)
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He'll remain with the Knicks into next season 16% (232)
Total votes: 1,472
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