Day: March 7, 2016

Knicks Sign Point Guard Tony Wroten to 3-Year Contract

The Knicks are finalizing a three-year deal with free agent fourth year point guard, Tony Wroten, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Shams Charania (who has become one of the top “scoops” guy in the business).

So far in his career, Tony Wroten has been awful. Just awful. However, he’s only 22 years old, he’s very fast (although he’s coming off of a significant injury) and the three-year deal is likely not guaranteed beyond this season (although we’ll know for sure later today when it is finalized). EDITED TO ADD: There are minimal guarantees for the 2nd and 3rd seasons. With the exploding cap, it’s basically meaningless.

In general, one of the best things you can do for your team is to sign young players to long, non-guaranteed minimum salary contracts. That way, if they hit, you get them cheap. If they miss, you cut them.

It is extremely unlikely that Wroten will hit, but since they weren’t doing anything else with this roster spot, it’s fair enough. Worst case scenario, they cut him. Slightly better than worst case scenario, they use his unguaranteed contract in a trade. Best case scenario, he is not awful.

Knicks Morning News (2016.03.07)

  • [New York Daily News] Who won Carmelo Anthony trade: Knicks, Nuggets or no one (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:14:08 GMT)

    Five years have passed since Carmelo Anthony forced his way from the Nuggets to the Knicks, and now both teams are struggling.

  • [New York Times] Flopping Calls Way Down This Season in the NBA (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 07:09:33 GMT)

    The flop epidemic may be over.

  • [New York Times] N.B.A. Game of the Week: Wizards at Trail Blazers (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 05:14:55 GMT)

    Wasington visits Portland on Tuesday, and the Wizards have performed below expectations while the Trail Blazers have defied predictions.

  • [New York Times] N.B.A. Roundup: Rockets Top Raptors Behind 40 From Harden (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 03:20:13 GMT)

    James Harden scored 40 points and had 14 assists, and the Rockets ended the Raptors’ franchise-record 12-game home winning streak.

  • [New York Times] Harden, Rockets End Raptors’ Home Win Streak, 113-107 (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 02:30:45 GMT)

    James Harden had 40 points and 14 assists, and the Houston Rockets beat Toronto 113-107 on Sunday night to end the Raptors’ franchise-record, 12-game home winning streak.

  • [New York Times] Lakers 112, Warriors 95: As Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant Converge, Basketball Universe Tilts on Its Side (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 02:03:54 GMT)

    Curry and Bryant, at opposite ends of the spectrum in their brilliant careers, were among those who witnessed a rarity on Sunday: powerful Golden State falling to lowly Los Angeles.

  • [New York Times] NBA Capsules (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:57:44 GMT)

    Jordan Clarkson scored 25 points, D’Angelo Russell added 21 and the Los Angeles Lakers stunned the Golden State Warriors 112-95 on Sunday, handing the defending NBA champions just their sixth loss of the season, all on the road.

  • [New York Times] Being Paid to Play Basketball, Pat Connaughton Is Dreaming of Diamonds (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:55:57 GMT)

    Connaughton, a rookie with the Portland Trail Blazers, also wants to pitch in the major leagues, and one baseball official said Connaughton “has the talent to be a top-of-the-rotation guy.”

  • [New York Times] Jackson Scores 30 to Lift Pistons Over Portland 123-103 (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:51:40 GMT)

    Reggie Jackson scored 30 points in another big game against Portland, and the Detroit Pistons beat the Trail Blazers 123-103 on Sunday night.

  • [New York Times] Whiteside Helps Heat Rally Past 76ers, 103-98 (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:45:44 GMT)

    Hassan Whiteside had seven blocked shots, including a pivotal one late as the Miami Heat won their fifth in a row, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 103-98 on Sunday.

  • [New York Times] Augustin’s Free Throws Lift Nuggets Over Mavs in OT, 116-114 (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:18:39 GMT)

    D.J. Augustin scored Denver’s last eight points of overtime, including two free throws with 0.9 seconds left, and the Nuggets beat the Dallas Mavericks 116-114 on Sunday.

  • [New York Times] Lakers Stun Warriors 112-95 for Golden State’s 6th Loss (Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:09:51 GMT)

    Even a team that dominates the way the Golden State Warriors have this season is bound to stumble every now and then.