(Friday, May 18, 2018 8:24:37 PM)
CHICAGO — Oklahoma point guard Trae Young, who claimed himself the best player in the NBA draft, isn’t sure yet if he will grant a private workout to the Knicks, who have the ninth pick. Under the draft combine rules, the Knicks requested Young, who became one of their 20 interviewees Friday. It’s hard to…
(Friday, May 18, 2018 7:05:50 PM)
CHICAGO — John Calipari admitted his freshman small forward Kevin Knox is a project, but if the Knicks drafted him at 9, the Kentucky coach said he believes he could become a better player than the more established Mikal Bridges in three years. The outspoken Kentucky coach said maybe it’s time for Knicks brass to…
(Friday, May 18, 2018 3:09:16 PM)
CHICAGO — It was saved as the final question of Duke big man Wendell Carter’s interview with the Knicks on Friday morning. Because it is by far the only question that really matters. The Duke center, who played alongside likely top-three lottery pick Marvin Bagley III, was asked by general manager Scott Perry how he…
(Friday, May 18, 2018 12:01:19 PM)
CHICAGO — Villanova coach Jay Wright has been in talks with Knicks general manager Scott Perry this month. No, the topic was not Wright leaving the NCAA champion Wildcats to coach the Knicks — a possibility the Knicks wanted to explore, but which Wright politely declined. The topic of these talks was Villanova small forward…
(Friday, May 18, 2018 8:11:51 PM)
CHICAGO — Kentucky coach John Calipari believes freshman forward Kevin Knox will be a very good NBA player, but it might take some time.
(Friday, May 18, 2018 7:46:24 PM)
CHICAGO — Oklahoma guard Trae Young met with the Knicks at the NBA Draft Combine, but he isn’t sure if he’ll work out for them.
(Friday, May 18, 2018 11:08:43 PM)
Villanova head coach Jay Wright may not have talked to the Knicks about becoming their new head coach. But that didn’t stop him from talking about his players — particulary SF Mikal Bridges.
(Friday, May 18, 2018 1:00:39 PM)
The Knicks badly need to take an impact player this year that they can potentially insert in the starting lineup
(Friday, May 18, 2018 8:38:07 AM)
When new Knicks head coach David Fizdale flies to Europe to visit with franchise player Kristaps Porzingis, he hopes he can get him to buy into a new team culture.
[NYDN] Pat Riley: David Fizdale is the perfect hire for Knicks, NYC (Friday, May 18, 2018 9:52:28 PM)
The greatest Knick coach since Red Holzman has stamped David Fizdale with his approval.
[NYDN] John Calipari: Kevin Knox would be a steal for the Knicks (Friday, May 18, 2018 9:50:36 PM)
In touting his Kentucky player as a strong fit for the Knicks, John Calipari said Kevin Knox has untapped potential.
[NYTimes] Flying With the Enemy: The Warriors Give the Rockets’ Daryl Morey a Lift (Saturday, May 19, 2018 12:14:57 AM)
The Houston general manager was invited to join the Warriors’ contingent on a private plane to the N.B.A. combine soon after Game 2 of the Western Conference finals between the two teams.
[NYTimes] On Pro Basketball: When Even LeBron James’s Best Might Not Be Enough (Friday, May 18, 2018 8:57:29 PM)
A string of seven consecutive appearances in the N.B.A. finals by James-led teams is in jeopardy, and no solutions are presenting themselves.
[NYTimes] Lindsay Whalen Juggles Jobs as a W.N.B.A. Player and an N.C.A.A. Coach (Friday, May 18, 2018 3:01:43 PM)
Whalen has taken on dual duties this year: point guard for the W.N.B.A.’s Minnesota Lynx and coach of the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team.
37 replies on “Knicks Morning News (2018.05.19)”
Copying forward from previous thread–
I think Carter and KP would be fine together, although I would prefer someone with quicker feet that could allow KP to be at the 5 full-time eventually. If the idea is to have a guy that can play with KP, protect him from all the banging inside, and be the rebounding/rim-protecting center while KP chases dudes around the perimeter, I’d rather pay KOQ 3 years $21MM and spend the pick on a wing.
(side note – I solidly believe that KOQ should be able to become at least an average 3 point shooter given how good he is from midrange and that he’s a 77% FT shooter for the last 4-5 seasons – at least good enough that teams would have to come out and guard him a little).
Relatively small sample but lineups with Frank, KP, and KOQ had a DRtg of 98.1 (98th percentile) in 266 possessions.
I think KOQ would thrive in the Marc Gasol role — honestly they are pretty similar players, and KOQ’s defensive metrics are better than Gasol’s in many respects.
By showing up at Fizdale’s press conference (and saying over and over he wants to be a Knick), he’s basically begging to give a hometown discount to stay. I’d take him up on that.
The reason to draft Mikal Bridges if he is available is that while he is old for this draft class, he’s still only 21 years old. He WILL get stronger in an NBA strength/nutrition program. If he can put on 5-10 pounds of muscle he would basically be Jaylen Brown size and be able to play the 4 in spots. So by age 24-25 he could guard 1-4 and play anything from SG-PF on offense, whereas someone like Carter (who I really do like) would be basically pigeonholed as a 1 or 2 position player.
RE: his rebounding – a fair amount has been made of how Jay Wright used Bridges as the head of his 1-2-2 zone, so basically he was always guarding the dude farthest from the rim. I can imagine that would impact his rebounding stats.
Lonnie Walker’s presser and combine stats certainly didn’t hurt his stock. Is he this year’s Donovan Mitchell? Except as a freshman?
Divincenzo has the highest vertical at combine, is this true?
He was impressive in the tournament, calling him the American dincic
Who sez white men can’t jump? Di prob locked up a late 2nd round flier slot. Good for him!
He may be this years donovan Mitchell. A playmaker pg with clutch shot making and hops! I’m sold on him as our second rounder.
I’ve seen buzz around SGA and Sexton as risers. I feel pretty good about this draft. I’d love Porter to fall but if he doesn’t, I feel like one of the other consensus top 8 might, and even if not there are some very intriguing players in the 9-14 range. I was pretty anti trading back but if for the clippers 2 picks I think I’d be fine with that too.
I just wish at some point in the last two summers we’d seen the real position of this team and used our space on acquiring picks instead of on Noah, Lee and Hardaway. Hindsight is 20-20 but it’s hard not to envy the teams with multiple firsts right now.
Theories about KOQ wanted to stay validated
href=”http://https://twitter.com/Kyle_OQuinn/status/997827671869583361″ rel=”nofollow”>
Shit, I’m behind the times, nbaDraft.net had Boston taking DiVincenzo at #27. So I guess he’s already a late first round prospect, which he absolutely should be. Dude can ball!
Divencenzo to Boston is the rich getting richer… we need to get more picks. Trade down the draft is so deep.
I mean, not every draft has a Donovan Mitchell in the first place.
I’m more interested in Jalen Brunson as a second round flier, but DiVincenzo can reeeally shoot and his athleticism and motor are great, there’s no reason not to give him a shot.
Speaking of the rich getting richer, Boston has Sacramento’s pick next year as part of the draft swap with Philly (unless it’s #1, which of course it won’t be, because, Celtics) And this year, they give up one of their gazillion Nets picks to the Cavs and of course Brooklyn plays better than expected and it turns into #8.
Does any move Danny Ainge makes ever turn into anything but a complete home run? God, I hate the fucking Celtics.
divencenzo shout def be a first rounder he is borderline lottery. Someone is going to get really lucky because he has the range and has X factor type of player ability. Why isn’t he even discussed as a lottery pick?
The ringer draft board has him going to us in the second round but no way he is available. He was the reason Villanova dominated in the finals not mikail. Another one is Brunson, he is like prime example of overrating lottery picks. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either of them with long nba careers.
Phoenix’s GM says they’re open to trading the first pick in the draft.
Good point.
The problem is what it would take to get it.
At this point I’m sure Phoenix is just doing the backstage work to see if something insane comes up, even if they’re scared Doncic will bail they like Ayton and would just pick him up.
They’re just throwing it out there to see if a desperate team Billy King’s, it’s just too valuable of a pick.
I would offer them the #9 pick for the #1 pick, straight up. Take it or leave it, Phoenix!
First you’d have to get them to hire Isiah Thomas as GM…
The Karl Towns stuff coming out of Minnesota is really interesting. I could imagine PHX offering the #1 straight up for Towns, maybe taking some $ back from Minnesota into their cap space too.
That said, I’d offer #9, next year’s #1 and Frank…
…the poster, not the player…
That was funny Z-man
@7
It’s sure starting to sound like O’Quinn will be back. Management wants him back, he wants to stay, and now it appears he’s willing to give us a home team discount.
The Suns are probably really interested in Towns, and there’s no reason not to at least contemplate the idea of making a move for him if he’s available. He’s probably already the player which is Ayton’s development best case scenario. Who knows, maybe Milwaukee melts down and Giannis is available, stuff like that, there’s no reason to not investigate.
We should offer Porzingis and Noah for Towns
Towns is supposedly unhappy (who knows if it’s true), but I can’t see the T-Wolves making any move with him unless the situation is hopeless. Even if you could get great draft value for him, it’s basically starting over. They didn’t bring in Butler, Teague, and Gibson to start over with a some draft picks. They are making their “play” now hoping that Towns, Wiggins, and Jones develop enough to get them to the next level or they can move Wiggins to some sucker or maybe make another good move.
…just kidding, Frank…
@25
They’d say frank and kp fir Kat
That’s why I don’t want to trade Frank. If we get a decent two-way player at the 3 in this draft (maybe Mikal), our D will be very, very good assuming KP returns healthy. I believe our path to contention will be though defense, not offense.
On offense, we lack creators (except Trae)…but we have good shooters. That is a team just crying out for a good offensive system where everyone shares the ball. That’s on the coach. I don’t know if Fiz can do it, but it’s within our grasp. Get the right guy this year, don’t make any stupid moves, get Kanter outta here, and 2019-2020 could be the start of a rise to relevance.
Trea Young and KP could be the most fun offense ever. But This? Not so much.
@29
I agree 100%.
KP, Frank, and a lock down player at SF and this team can be better than people think very quickly. We actually have a pretty good bench. The problem is that some of them are starters for us (lol), but I can imagine getting good quickly with some development and a solid pick this year.
Problem is (or at least was) we we’re starting two guys who can’t or don’t pass.
I’d be pretty unhappy in Minnesota too if my coach rode me like Secratariat and Andrew Wiggins was on a max deal.
Karl Anthony Towns for Kawhi Leonard and whatever to make the salaries match would make me very happy. Pop and Towns together? That would be amazing.
They at least changed the rules where two teammates can’t get mega-maxes, right?
Mark Jackson is the wozst.
Lebron is not
Remember when Joe Alexander proved that white men can jump at the combine and the Bucks picked him #8 because of it? #goodtimes
http://www.nbadraft.net/2008_nbapredraftcamp_combine.html
(Pat Connaughton also had the highest vertical at the 2015 combine, fwiw)
Well, Joe Alexander was also an absolutely horrible shooter where DiVincenzo was pretty damn good at it, so at least he does have one skill besides jumping really high.