Knicks

Report: Knicks’ Kemba Walker gaining ‘no interest’ on trade market

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knicks, kemba walker

With several Knicks players being ruled out due to Covid health and safety protocols, there was potential for head coach Tom Thibodeau to activate Kemba Walker off the bench and utilize him this week.

However, Walker has remained motionless, as Thibodeau relied on rookie Miles McBride over the veteran who signed a two-year, $17.9 million deal this past off-season.

The Knicks once viewed Walker as an essential piece in their starting five, contributing elite offense to help take them to the next level. After November, that consensus has been forgotten. The analytical masterminds behind the scenes decided he was too much of a liability on defense to continue utilizing him. He shot just 29.6% from three-point range and 39% from the field. The Knicks featured the worst defense per 100 possessions with Walker on the floor. Without him, they had a top-five unit per 100 possessions, showcasing his polarizing style of play.

With McBride dominating in his past two performances after being called up from the G-League, the Knicks will likely try and trade Walker in the coming weeks. The trade market doesn’t seem to be interested in Walkers’ services, noting his troublesome knees.

According to Matt Moore of The Action Network, the Knicks are having trouble finding a suitor for Kemba Walker:

There is no interest league-wide in taking on Kemba Walker according to multiple sources. Walker was benched to try and kickstart the Knicks, a move that has failed, but the league consensus is that Walker’s knees represent too much of a risk even if his play with New York and Boston was more about situation.

Given New York have him on a two-year deal, letting him ride the bench for the majority of his contract is problematic. They would likely try to dump his salary on a needy team, just as the Boston Celtics did with the Oklahoma City Thunder before they ultimately released him.

The Knicks have been connected to a myriad of players this off-season, including Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers and Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers. Walker will not be the focal point of any prospective trade given the value differentials, but finding a way to trade him and his contract allocations would be ideal.

In fact, the contract Evan Fournier earned this past off-season from the Knicks’ front office is also seeming like a net negative. He inked a four-year, $73 million deal.

Fournier has been extremely inconsistent on both sides of the ball this season. This month, the French native shot 31.4% from the three-point range, a spot he is supposed to be proficient in. The Knicks have played eight games during the month of December, and Fournier has produced single-digit point production in five of those games.

It is seeming like the front office struck out in agency this past off-season, meaning they will try to make up for their mistakes at the trade deadline, which is risky business.

Knicks’ Thibodeau may have stumbled upon electrifying guard duo

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immanuel quickley, knicks, miles mcbride

The New York Knicks snapped a four-game losing streak on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, courtesy of young guards Miles McBride and Immanuel Quickley.

Scoring 116 points has been a difficult reality for the Knicks over the past month, but seven 3-PT shots from Quickley led the team to victory. However, his partner in crime, McBride, recorded 15 points in a career-high 36 minutes of action.

Against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, McBride seized his first significant assignment by the basketballs, playing 20 minutes and garnering eight points and one assist. However, he unleashed his facilitation capabilities against Houston, recording nine assists as the team’s primary point guard off the bench.

With veteran PG Derrick Rose leaving the game with a sore right ankle, McBride picked up his playing time and ran with it effectively. Not only was he a phenomenal offensive threat in this game, but he played lockdown defense, posting a +19 +/-.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau might have stumbled across an electrifying duo of guards in this contest with Quickley and McBride. They played well off one another and created opportunities for the players around them, something the Knicks struggled to do in recent days without a true and tried starting facilitator.

After the victory over Houston, Quickley dropped a few words of leadership, not only indicating he’s growing on the court but as a leader behind the scenes.

“We needed it big. Through the tough times, I feel like we’ve stuck together pretty well”

Thibodeau went on to provide a mode of confidence with his young players, stating he sees it every day in practice and that once the opportunity came to fruition, they would be ready to take advantage.

“They’re killer workers, I see it every day in practice. I always feel that when they get their opportunity, they’re gonna be ready to roll.”

It was quite easy to see that McBride was ready to make the jump to the big leagues after dominating in the G-League. McBride averaged 26.8 points per game with Westchester, shooting 40.5% from three-point range and 48.2% from the field. The West Virginia stand-out has proven he can dominate from range but also contribute inside driving to the rim.

Pairing all of these positive attributes with vision and facilitation makes him a viable prospect to be the Knicks’ long-term starter at point guard down the line (or at the very least a great depth piece).

The question is, when McBride hits a wall and has a poor game, can he bounce back and shake off the negativity without skipping a beat? That is what separates good from great, and so far, he’s justifying more minutes alongside Quickley, with the pair combining for 39 points and 13 assists on Thursday.

McBride, Quickley power Knicks past Rockets with 39 combined points

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immanuel quickley, knicks

Despite the loss of RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, and Kevin Knox due to COVID-19 health protocols, the New York Knicks still powered past the Houston Rockets on Thursday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Despite a thin bench, the Knicks’ second-team stepped up big in the win, with a pair of young guards showcasing fantastic defense and even better offensive production. Rookie Miles McBride played 36 minutes compared to 12 from Derrick Rose, posting 15 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and shot 6 of 11 from the field.

It is clear that McBride is becoming a bright young player for New York and is well-deserving of more minutes after a stellar first performance against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. McBride has now strung together two productive outings, meaning head coach Tom Thibodeau will likely keep him in the rotation even when their injured players make a return from the Covid list.

However, McBride wasn’t alone in his quest for success, as second-year guard Immanuel Quickley matched his efficiency and then some. Quickley posted 24 points, four assists, and shot 70% from three-point range, hitting 7 of 10 shots. The duo combined for 13 assists and 39 points, leading the way for New York, who had two starters post zero points.

Aside from the young guards, Julius Randle added 21, and Evan Fournier contributed 23; however, both posted a negative +/-.

The Knicks needed their youngsters to step up and play well, and the emergence of McBride is yet another sign of optimism for a team that continues to rely on their youth to pick up the slack. Luckily, they were up against a weak Houston squad who had dropped three of their last four games heading into Thursday night.

As a team, the Knicks hit 47.2% from deep and 47% on the field, contributing 40 rebounds and 25 assists. They held the Rockets to 34.4%, shooting from three-point range, 24 rebounds, and 29 assists. They out-rebounded Houston by 11, including 10 added offensive rebounds.

This was the high-energy performance Thibodeau needed from his team to get back in the win column, and they can look ahead to the Boston Celtics on Saturday night with a hopeful return of some of their impact players.

Knicks may have something special in rookie point guard

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miles mcbride, knicks

The New York Knicks may be on a four-game losing streak, but they have plenty of things to be optimistic about. Whether it be the 27-point performance from Quentin Grimes against the Toronto Raptors or Miles McBride bleeding confidence on the floor against Golden State, the Knicks have a few spark plugs.

Grimes was projected to take a more prominent role before being ruled out due to Covid health and safety protocols. The Houston product showcased aggressive defense with superb shooting from range, setting a Knicks rookie record with seven three-point shots made.

However, in McBride‘s first legitimate action of the season, he proved he could stand on his own 2 feet without much support. An electrifying step-back jumper from three-point range in the first half stood out as his highlight of the evening, contributing eight points and four rebounds. He hit 50% of his shots from deep and connected on 37.5% from the field.

McBride has been working diligently off the court to prepare for this moment, dominating in G-League performances to prove his value.

“We see it in practice, when he’s had opportunities in the G-League, he’s played really well there as well,’’ Thibodeau stated after the loss to Golden State. “He played well in the summer league. It’s good for him to have an opportunity like that. All the things that he’s working on every day and then to get into a game situation and to see it unfold, it’s good, it’s positive. Our young guys are really hard playing and they’re coming along.’’

Even veteran point guard Derrick Rose spoke to the confidence of McBride and how great he looked against Golden State, stating, “hopefully Thibs gives him the time.”

During G-League play, McBride is averaging 26.8 points per game on 40.5% shooting from three and 48.2% from the field. His 57.1% effective field goal percentage is fantastic, and he’s  73.2% of his attempts unassisted, indicating play-making ability.

The West Virginia standout primarily focuses on shots from less than 5 feet (22 of 85 attempts) in accordance to the rim and between the 25–29 foot range (28 of 85 attempts). While he doesn’t have much of a pull-up jumper game or mid-range, he’s highly efficient from beyond the arc and close to the basket.

Against legitimate NBA talent, those numbers will undoubtedly level out, but seeing his sustainable success in the G-League is motivating for his future. In addition to his scoring proficiency, McBride is also a stellar defender with a sleight of hand attribute. He is incredibly quick to intercept passes, notably having the biggest hands of any guard in the most recent draft class.

Given the team continues to deal with Covid related absences, McBride is deserving of another opportunity to showcase his skill set. Against a struggling Houston Rockets team, Thibodeau should provide him with added minutes.

Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson posts vaguely targeted Instagram story after tough loss to Golden State

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mitchell robinson, knicks

One of the Knicks‘ biggest problems this year is the lack of a scoring big man, going with a traditional strategy at the five, including Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel.

Both of their primary centers are known for their rebounding and defending, but the Knicks had big hopes for Robinson coming off a season struck with injury, including a fractured foot and hand. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old center has failed to take a significant jump in production on both sides of the ball.

In fact, Robinson has seen a decrease in the number of statistics, including points, blocks, and even rebounds, compared to his 2020–21 season, showcased by a similar sample size at this point the season.

After adding a significant amount of muscle to provide more physicality inside, Robinson has dealt with stamina and fatigue issues. His inability to remain potent and aggressive on the court has become a liability at times, something he has mentioned in recent days.

However, after the Knicks’ resilient loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening, Robinson posted a vaguely targeted Instagram story. Some believe it is aimed at free-agent acquisition Evan Fournier, who has provided little to nothing defensively and has been incredibly consistent with his shooting.

Robinson specifically mentioned running for cardio and playing help defense, which could be a statement from head coach Tom Thibodeau and what the team needs to improve on, or specifically what the coaches are telling him.

With the team losing seven of their last eight games and four consecutive, it is possible Robinson could be on his way out via trade at the deadline in a few months. The front office has been connected to a variety of players, including Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.

One way or another, Robinson has put himself in a place to be traded, especially after his failure to take a step forward this season. The Knicks need another scoring threat inside who can also shoot from range, suggesting Robinson is a liability on offense. New York doesn’t necessarily need him as a transition player, given Obi Toppin’s rise and incredible athleticism on dunks.

Unless Mitchell can elevate his game to a level we haven’t seen before, the front office will likely include him in a trade if they manage to execute one at the deadline this year.

The Knicks are facing a challenge that will make or break them

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new york knicks, julius randle

The Knicks currently host a four-game losing streak, losing seven of their last eight competitions. At this point in the season, they face a challenge that will either make or break them with the season still young. Tom Thibodeau and his squad have plenty of time to turn a corner and get back into winning form, but it’s going to take every ounce of effort and a lot of hard work to get there.

The players have been vocal about the time required to build chemistry, especially after signing Evan Fournier to a four-year contract in free agency. Kemba Walker has already been factored out of the equation after being bench due to defensive ineptitude. However, Fournier remains a liability on both sides of the ball, recording just two points in the 105–96 lost to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening.

All-star power forward Julius Randle had encouraging words after the game, indicating his team will get it done, regarding a turnaround:

“We’ll see what happens. Not we’ll see what happens, we’re going to get it done. We’re going to figure it out.”

Randle scored 31 points in the defeat over 37 minutes. He shot 10 of 21 from the field and 5 of 8 from three-point range, including seven rebounds and three assists. With New York shorthanded, playing without RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes due to COVID-19 health protocols, they were forced to rely on reserve players like Miles McBride and Kevin Knox.

Covid issues and injury have hurt the team in recent days, but they were struggling well before these problems presented themselves.

In fact, the Knicks have been dealing with identity issues all season long after featuring one of the top defenses in the NBA last season in a miraculous turnaround. While Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock undoubtedly took the brunt of the blame for a lack of scoring proficiency, it is clear they offered essential defensive positioning and spacing to keep the team competitive.

This season, Thibodeau‘s squad lacks communication and effort at times, allowing Golden State to post 49 rebounds on them compared to just 35 of their own. New York is witnessing a dramatic drop-off in statistical production, dropping to 13th in rebounds per game and 22nd in points.

It is entirely possible the front office makes a few moves at the trade deadline, as they’ve been connected to a myriad of players, including Ben Simmons and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.

Whether they actually strike a deal or not is yet to be seen, but their issues aren’t going to be solved by the injection of talent. The Knicks need to be more physical and play disciplined basketball first and foremost — two solvable problems they simply haven’t managed to decode.

At some point, the players need to back up their words, providing plenty of motivational quotes and statements but failing to replicate it via action. It reminds me plenty of New York Giants head coach Joe Judge and his empty promised coach speak.

Nonetheless, if the Knicks can fight their way out of this current funk and string together a few victories, it will be for the best. Good teams find ways to solve their problems mid-season without needing additional support via trade. There is no question they have all the talent in the world, but playing cohesive basketball with a strategy has been problematic. They can redefine themselves in the coming weeks, and it starts with piecing together a few winds to brew confidence.

Warriors 105, Knicks 96: Curry takes 3-Pt crown, overcoming resilient Knicks in the process

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knicks, julius randle, steph curry

The New York Knicks dropped their fourth consecutive game on Tuesday night, courtesy of Steph Curry and his elite three-point shooting. The Knicks have now lost seven of their last eight games, with their most recent victory coming against the San Antonio Spurs last week.

Curry, who needed just two three-point shots to break Ray Allen’s all-time record, sniped the go-ahead basket early in the first quarter, securing the 2,974th three-point shot in his career. Of course, Madison Square Garden was a perfect place for him to break the record, on the biggest stage in basketball where they honored him with a full stoppage of play and several minutes of celebration.

Only during a Knicks home game would you see such a fantastic display for a player on the opposing team, but it was worthwhile given Curry’s illustrious career.

However, New York has once again found themselves between a rock and a hard place, attempting to break free from the chains of lackluster communication and defense efficiency. For the second straight game, the Knicks have allowed 105 points or more.

Over the past eight games, the Knicks have only held one opponent below 100 points, the Toronto Raptors, who scored 90. Unfortunately, when the Knicks’ defense is playing well, their offense flounders.

In the defeat to Golden State, the Knicks shot well from three-point range, hitting 38.1%, but connected on just 36% from the field in total, an abysmal number. Overall, they were outrebounded 49–35 and had 10 fewer assists than Golden State, who posted 28.

Unfortunately, the Knicks were without RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes, which held them back significantly. If not for COVID-19 health and safety protocols affecting their lineup, the Knicks may have escaped with a win against one of the hottest teams in basketball. Instead, they will look ahead to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night to get back in the win column.

Knicks’ Quentin Grimes ruled ‘out’ due to COVID protocols after career performance

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quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks are preparing to face off against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, but they had already ruled out RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin from the contest due to COVID-19 health protocols. After coming in contact with a positive case against Toronto, the Knicks were forced to play against the Milwaukee Bucks shorthanded, but rookie guard Quentin Grimes stepped up and had a career night.

Grimes posted 27 points on 53.8%, shooting from three-point range and 53% shooting from the field. He hit seven 3-PT shots, a rookie record for New York.

However, Grimes was ruled out early on Tuesday against Golden State, representing another player to be stifled by Covid.

The players are required to have two negative tests within a 24-hour span to return before the 10 day maximum, meaning the earliest Grimes can make a return is on Christmas Day, given he tests negative twice by Wednesday morning.

After his breakout performance, head coach Tom Thibodeau was likely looking to utilize Grimes in a more prominent role, especially with Barrett and Toppin still out. Unfortunately, that will have to wait. The Knicks have a tough stretch of games coming up against Golden State, Houston, and the Boston Celtics.

The Knicks should put more trust in their rookie guard against Golden State

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quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks were most recently embarrassed by the Milwaukee Bucks at home for their third consecutive loss, but they did walk away with one silver lining, the performance of rookie guard Quentin Grimes.

The Knicks allowed every Milwaukee starter to post double-digit points, but Grimes shined for the Knicks, recording 27 points, three steals, three assists, and three rebounds. His defense wasn’t altogether impressive, but a lack of communication and bully-ball by Milwaukee hurt New York’s efficiency, which has dropped to 25th in the league on the defensive side.

Life doesn’t get any easier this week as Tom Thibodeau and his squad prepare to face off against the Golden State Warriors. The Knicks will likely be without RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin once again, who’ve both entered COVID-19 protocols after coming in contact with a positive case against the Raptors.

The Warriors have bounced back from a tough season last year to once again being a dominant team, hosting a 21–5 record. While they have been a bit inconsistent as of late, coming off a 93 point dud against the Philadelphia 76ers, they represent a far more formidable team compared to New York.

Similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo, stopping Steph Curry is simply impossible. Limiting him is your best bet, especially since he’s shooting 40% from three-point range and attempting 13.4 per game, a career-high. Based on those numbers, he’s simply playing at an ungodly level, and he’s only a few three-point shots away from breaking Ray Allen’s all-time record.

Averaging 27.1 points per game, Curry constantly needs to be pressured with an on-ball defender, which is where Grimes may come into play. The expectation is that Alec Burks will return as the team starting point guard, but Grimes should earn significant minutes against Golden State, especially after setting a Knicks record with seven 3-PT point shots made, hitting on 53.8% from deep.

Ultimately, they need to continue building off that confidence and not stifle his progression. Given Quentin’s high-energy style of play and aggressive on-ball defending, he could be the perfect matchup on Curry. At this point, it’s worth a shot. We could see a healthy rotation of Immanuel Quickley and Grimes on Curry throughout, keeping both fresh and a defender in his face all game.

2 factors dragging the New York Knicks into the abyss

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knicks, julius randle

The New York Knicks are currently on a three-game losing streak and have dropped six of their last seven games. Despite benching Kemba Walker on November 26, they still host the 25th ranked defense with a 110.5 defensive rating.

The Knicks have also experienced a significant drop off with their shooting, currently ranking 10th in three-point percentage at 36% after starting the year strong in the category. In addition, they’ve also dropped to 22nd in total points per game at 105.8. Their field goal percentage is 24th in the NBA, landing at 43.8%, and their rebounding has fallen out of the top 10.

Altogether, the team has struggled on both sides of the ball, and head coach Tom Thibodeau is floundering to find a player combination that can pick up the slack. However, he lacks a few key pieces to his team, which have held him back from sustaining his team’s defensive identity. The players have also noted a lack of energy and effort during games, which is an unacceptable justification for poor performances.

Two factors the Knicks are severely lacking:

A true leader on and off the court:

When the Knicks signed Julius Randle to a massive four-year, $117 million extension, they expected him to be a leader on and off the court. Randle has spent more time jarring at the referees than actually leading his team with effort and by example. Randle has seen natural regression take hold of his game, averaging just 19.1 points, and shooting 42% from the field and 32.6% from three point range.

Thibodeau has continued to rely on Randle to be their clutch player at the end of games, but has failed to come through, turning the ball over seven times against the Milwaukee Bucks in the team’s most recent defeat and failing to hit a big shot against the Toronto Raptors to tie the game with seconds left on the clock last Friday.

Randle isn’t known for his outgoing personality, and his constant complaining during games for missed calls has done nothing but harm to his team. The Knicks lack a true leader to help will them out of funks, and after the exile of Walker, one of their more extroverted players, they put themselves between a rock and a hard place.

A scoring big man who can shoot:

The Knicks have relied on traditional big men like Nerlens Noel and Mitchell Robinson for the past few seasons, but it may be time to change up their strategy.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner has been connected to the Knicks as of late, indicating he doesn’t feel valued in his role with Indiana, making a potential trade all the more likely. If the front office is able to acquire a player like Turner, they would find themselves in a far better position, given his elite scoring abilities at the 5.

With Noel averaging 3.8 points and Robinson contributing 6.9 points this season per game, the team is primarily depending on them to be rebounders and defensive players. Considering the Knicks rank in the bottom-5 in defensive efficiency, it may be time to shake things up, and trading for Turner would be a big step in the right direction.