ESPN's Marc Stein reports that the Clippers take the threat of a Spurs free-agent pursuit of Chris Paul very seriously despite San Antonio's current lack of cap space. That could impact the Knicks: if Paul signs with SAS, it would likely diminish the Clippers' interest in pursuing a Carmelo Anthony trade.
Knicks president Phil Jackson and GM Steve Mills were among dozens of NBA executives on hand to watch Kentucky guard Malik Monk play today at his agency's pro workout day in New York, per sources. Members of the Knicks organization have been enamored with Monk but it would surprise Draft observers if Monk is available when the Knicks pick at 8. The Knicks are likely considering several options with the No. 8 pick. Included among those options are Monk, French guard Frank Ntilikina, Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox and N.C. State's Dennis Smith Jr., per sources. An earlier post incorrectly stated that he was not there. We regret the error. Many of Excel's draft prospects, including Harry Giles, worked out in front of execs.
Kristaps Porzingis appears to be poking a little fun at himself during a boxing workout. He posted this photo on social media with an Ivan Drago reference (courtesy of Thomas Duffy):
Nice job by ex-Knick John Starks, who visited renowned NYK fan Fred Klein and watched a game with him late in the season. Klein, a long-time fan and season ticket holder, was also visited by ex-Knick Larry Johnson.
Hal Childs, a former assistant general manager for the New York Knicks and public relations director for the Golden State Warriors and Seattle Mariners, has died of complications from heart disease. He was 84.
The Knicks workout today included Iowa State's Deonte Burton, Kentucky's Bam Adebayo, Purdue's Caleb Swanigan and LSU's Antonio Blakeney today, ESPN has learned. Kentucky's Hamidou Diallo was supposed to work out but pulled out. Diallo is reportedly deciding on whether or not to stay in the draft. One detail from the workout: Burton, who scouts see as having the upside of a Jae Crowder-type defender, said that he felt very comfortable in the Knicks' triangle offense and the free-flow setting of the offense.
The Minnesota Timberwolves view Derrick Rose as a potential free-agent target this summer, league sources told ESPN. Rose, 28, will be a free agent for the first time in his career after spending last season with the New York Knicks. It is unclear at this point which other outside teams besides the Timberwolves view Rose as a potential free-agent target. Some rival executives believe the San Antonio Spurs may have interest in Rose, depending on how the free-agent market for point guards develops. The Knicks, as of late in the regular season, hadn't ruled out the possibility of re-signing Rose, per sources.
Point guard Derrick Rose, who spent last season with the Knicks, could be a free-agent target of the Timberwolves this summer.
With the Knicks needing a point guard, the 18-year-old French product could be an option with the No. 8 pick.
Ex-Knick Lou Amundson will play as a reserve for the Tri-State team in the Big 3 League - a 3-on-3 league for ex pros created by Ice Cube.
Finding free agents who are well rounded, like forwards P.J. Tucker and Dante Cunningham, will be a priority for the Knicks this offseason.
Like most NBA teams, the Knicks are looking for players in free agency who can contribute on both ends of the floor. Per sources, the Knicks have preliminary interest in veteran free agents P.J. Tucker and Dante Cunningham. Both players have shown that they can knock down perimeter shots and defend.
Amin Elhassan, BIG Wos, Black Tray and Mariano Bivins welcome Brandon Jennings to talk Paul Pierce, Knicks stories, Jaylen Brown's comments about LeBron and Biggie's birthday.
The Knicks, who have a strained relationship with Kristaps Porzingis, aren't retaining an assistant coach who has a close tie with the Latvian star.
Phil Jackson met with Kristaps Porzingis' brother to talk about the Knicks forward skipping his exit meeting at the end of the season, but no substantial progress was made to settle the issues between the Knicks and the young star.
New York Knicks president Phil Jackson spoke recently with Kristaps Porzingis' brother, Janis Porzingis, about the young big man skipping his exit meeting due to frustration with the franchise. There was no substantial progress made during the conversation to settle the issues that led to Porzingis skipping the meeting, sources with knowledge of the meeting confirmed. The news was first reported by the New York Daily News.
Dennis Smith Jr., one of several point guards the Knicks are looking at, could be available when the team selects at No. 8.
Former Knick Charles Smith is working to help athletes excel beyond their peak earning years through his Pro Athlete Alumni Counsel. The group hosts an annual Sports, Business and Entertainment Conference. This year's conference is on June 2-4, 2017 in New York City. Smith says the goal of the gathering is to provide an opportunity for business leaders to connect and establish relationships with athletes beyond the traditional spokesperson/brand ambassador role. Knicks guard Sasha Vujacic and ex-Mets manager Bobby Valentine are scheduled to attend.
Iowa State point guard Monte Morris is scheduled to work out for the Knicks on June 8, agent Ron Shade of Octagon told ESPN. New York is one of several teams who Morris is scheduled to work out for. The Knicks currently two second-round draft picks (44 and 58) and the eighth pick in the first round. Morris is viewed by college observers as a steady, dependable, high-IQ guard, as evidenced by his 1.2 turnovers per game average while playing 35.3 minutes a night. Morris averaged 16.2 points and 6.2 assists per game for the Cylones as a senior.
Carmelo Anthony's soccer club has fired the head coach and technical director, Puerto Rico FC announced. Team president Tom Payne said said the "front office in New York", which presumably includes Anthony, was in full support of the decision. Carmelo has played for five coaches in New York, so this kind of transition is nothing new for him.
Members of the Knicks organization have been in touch with representatives for N.C. State point guard Dennis Smith Jr. about scheduling a pre-draft workout, a league source confirms. There has been no workout scheduled yet but the contact between the Knicks and Smith's camp - which was first reported by ZagsBlog - is an indication that the Knicks would like to take a closer look at Smith Jr. as a potential first-round draft pick. The Knicks have the No. 8 pick in June's draft. Team president Phil Jackson says they are looking at guards and wings. Other players whom members of the organization are fond of include French point guard Frank Ntilikina and Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, per sources.
Isiah Thomas has unveiled his line of Cheurlin Champagne, which is sold at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons legend and two-time NBA champ's line is called the Cheurlin Thomas Black Label Collection. Maybe they will have it in the locker room the next time the Knicks win a title?
The should surprise no one: there were no Knicks among the 30 players to receive votes for an All-NBA team.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 53 | 29 | .646 | - | W3 |
| Toronto | 51 | 31 | .622 | 2 | W4 |
| New York | 31 | 51 | .378 | 22 | W1 |
| Philadelphia | 28 | 54 | .341 | 25 | L8 |
| Brooklyn | 20 | 62 | .244 | 33 | L2 |
| YEAR | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 31 | 51 | .378 |
| 2015-16 | 32 | 50 | .390 |
| 2014-15 | 17 | 65 | .207 |
| 2013-14 | 37 | 45 | .451 |
| 2012-13 | 54 | 28 | .659 |
