Knicks

The Knicks have a clear-cut trade deadline target after being demolished by Indiana

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knicks, myles turner

The New York Knicks are coming off a disappointing blowout defeat against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, but they received a splendid audition from big man Myles Turner, who posted 22 points in the victory.

The Knicks have struggled considerably on defense this season, despite both of their centers being known for blocking and defensive rebounding. Nonetheless, Tom Thibodeau’s squad ranks 24th in defensive rating at 110.7. Their interior defense has been decent, but they were completely dominated by Turner and Domantas Sabonis on Wednesday, who finished with 21 points.

Turner has been linked with New York in the past, notably, this past off-season as the Knicks looked to increase their scoring production at the center position. Unfortunately, they were unable to secure his services via trade with Indiana, but Leon Rose could be active at the deadline in the coming months looking to acquire a big man with scoring production.

Simply put, neither Nerlens Noel nor Mitchell Robinson are capable of posting double-digit points regularly, and Turner brings another element to the team.

This season, Turner is earning $17.5 million in base salary and will make the same amount during the 20 22–2023 season. Investing in his services would do the Knicks well, injecting a defensive maestro into their starting unit with elite scoring production from the center position. The former first-round pick from 2015 is averaging 12.6 points per game on 39.5% shooting from three-point range and 52.6% shooting from the field. He’s also posting 2.8 blocks per game and 7.5 rebounds.

In the month of November, Turner posted 11 games with double-digit scoring production and just four games with single-digit points. He shot 42% from three-point range and posted 42 total blocks, including four games with 4+.

To acquire Turner via trade, Rose will have to part ways with a few talented pieces. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Pacers are moving toward a rebuild and will listen to potential trade offers regarding Caris LeVert, Sabonis, and Turner.

In a potential deal, they would likely have to part ways with Mitchell Robinson and a first-round pick. Emptying Kemba Walker and Kevin Knox in the deal would be ideal, but the Pacers will want more than just a few castaways and fringe starters. They may look to acquire a young player like Obi Toppin or Immanuel Quickley, who the Knicks would prefer to retain. However, Turner makes them a significantly better team and more competitive in the paint, which is a step in the right direction. Given his expensive contract, it’s always possible Indiana is looking for a team to take on his salary, which could drive down his price tag. However, most consider him a valuable asset on both sides of the ball, so he won’t be a cheap target.

Pacers 122, Knicks 102: Myles Turner puts on a show in audition for potential trade

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myles turner, knicks

Just one day after demolishing the San Antonio Spurs, the New York Knicks came crashing back down to earth with a disappointing loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana, who had lost four of their last five games before annihilating New York, put on a show in front of their home crowd, posting 122 points.

The Knicks simply didn’t show up to play in this contest, lacking energy and offensive efficiency throughout. Scoring just 19 points in the third quarter, they didn’t stand a chance against a Pacers team that shot 37% from three-point range for the game and was hitting on over 40% going into the fourth quarter.

The Pacers finished with a 53.5% success rate from the field, hitting 10 shots from deep as the Knicks connected on just 30% from three-point range and 42% from the field.

With big man Nerlens Noel ruled out, Taj Gibson received the start, and his zero points and four rebounds certainly didn’t replicate Noel‘s production. Mitchell Robinson came off the bench, but he was only able to contribute four points and two rebounds. Not a single Knick was able to record more than eight rebounds in the contest, as Julius Randle led the team while posting 18 points but turning the ball over five times.

Randle was unproductive in the loss, recording a -22 +/-. RJ Barrett was also spotty on defense, despite posting 19 points and hitting on 3-of-5 shots from deep.

Ultimately, if New York is unable to get their act together on defense, it is going to be a long season full of blowout losses. Their offense isn’t capable of keeping up with proficient teams, and with a starting unit like Indiana’s, they didn’t stand a chance.

Every starter for the Pacers record double-digit points, with a high of 23 from Chris Duarte, the rookie out of Oregon, and 22 from Myles Turner, who put on a show in his audition for the Knicks.

Turner was linked with New York at the trade deadline last year and during the off-season. The front office was unable to strike a deal with Indiana, but it is entirely possible they target him at the deadline in a potential move to bolster their interior presence with an elite scorer and rebounding center.

The lack of a true scoring big man has limited New York considerably, and Turner would solve that weakness with ease.

Do you think the Knicks should try and trade for Turner? Comment here!

Knicks’ RJ Barrett had a valid excuse for his cold-streak, but turned a corner Vs Spurs

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rj barrett, knicks

The New York Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak on Tuesday evening against the San Antonio Spurs, dialing up at 121 point performance, thanks to third-year guard RJ Barrett.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau made a few changes in the contest, including starting Nerlens Noel and bringing in Mitchell Robinson off the bench. This seemed to be a productive move, as Robinson played 22 minutes, earning 11 points, 14 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. Robinson has struggled with stamina lately, but easing him in off the bench and utilizing him in a complementary role sparked his production.

“It doesn’t matter who starts and comes off the bench. Today it worked,” Barrett said. “We’ll see how it is moving forward but whoever starts and come off the bench, we’re rocking with it.”

However, Barrett was the stand-out player in the contest, posting 32 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals over 39 minutes. Barrett hasn’t been able to play an exorbitant amount of minutes in recent days, dealing with a stomach bug that has kept him on edge.

The Knicks are a much better team with RJ Barrett is slicing and dicing:

Barrett shot just 29% from three-point range in the month of November, far below his 40% clip in 2020. The stomach bug has only been affecting him for the past four or five games, notably against the Atlanta Hawks.

Against the Brooklyn Nets, a game the Knicks should’ve mounted a resilient victory in, Barrett was pulled after just nine minutes due to the illness. He posted 25 minutes against Denver, but was mainly ineffective, shooting 14.3% from deep. His 87.5% shooting from three again San Antonio burst his cold streak, hitting seven shots from range.

The Knicks desperately need the best version of Barrett if they want to win games moving forward, given his excellence on defense when healthy and productive scoring. His increased energy fueled the starting unit, putting pressure on ball-handlers, getting into passing lanes, and fighting the positioning.

To open the year in October, he was regularly posting double-digit points and even recorded 20+ points on five consecutive games from October 28 to November 5. During that stretch, he tantalized teams like Chicago, Toronto, and Milwaukee.

When RJ is scoring adequately, it takes a ton of pressure off tower forward Julius Randle, opening up the floor for him to drive and also take shots from beyond the arc. Hopefully, his performance against San Antonio will spark a hot streak moving forward, as the Knicks desperately need to string a few wins after bringing the record back to .500.

Knicks 121, Spurs 109: RJ Barrett explodes to break out of dunk with 3-PT barrage

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rj barrett, knicks

The New York Knicks overcame the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday evening by a score of 112-109. After losing three consecutive games, it was clear that the Knicks had a newfound sense of urgency, dragging their record back to .500 on the season. However, it was several individual performances and a dominant outing from RJ Barrett who willed them to victory.

The third-year guard posted 32 points on the evening, connecting on 11-of-20 shots from the field and 7-of-8 from three point range. Barrett has struggled as of late, shooting just 29% from three-point range in the month of November and 36% from the field.

December has already started off far better, playing 39 minutes against the Spurs, his highest number since November 8 against Philadelphia. His 87.5% success rate from downtown was exactly what he needed to get back into form. He also contributed five rebounds, two assists, and two steals on the evening, leading the Knicks to victory.

However, I would be remiss not to mention the contributions of Alec Burks, who recorded 18 points, Julius Randle, who posted 15, eight assists, and seven rebounds, but also Mitchell Robinson‘s dominance in the paint.

Robinson had been criticized lately for his lack of stamina but played 22 minutes off the bench, as Thibodeau rolled with Nerlens Noel as the primary starter, a shift in strategy that clearly paid off. Tom Thibodeau said of Robinson’s reaction to being relegated to the bench, “cartwheels.”

Robinson recorded double-digit points with 11, 14 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists in the win.

Clearly, Robinson needed a bit of a push to exert maximum effort, and being relegated to the bench may have been a catalyst. This was the first time since November 17 where Robinson posted 10 or more points, and 14 rebounds were his highest since the double-overtime victory against the Boston Celtics on opening night.

This was a clear offensive master-class from New York, as they shot 47.4% from deep and 47.3% from the field, recording just 10 turnovers, 23 assists, and 52 rebounds. While the Spurs shot 38.7% from deep, the Knicks needed this offensive performance to get back on track. They will look ahead to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, a team that has lost four of their last five games.

2 Knicks players who deserve more playing time moving forward

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obi toppin, knicks

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has already indicated that he is mulling over potential changes moving forward. After benching Kemba Walker and making a few lineup shifts, the Knicks are still losing games without much resilience. Currently, on a three-game losing streak, the Knicks will look to take down the San Antonio Spurs, who have won four of their last five games, just barely dropping to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.

San Antonio’s starting team is playing well, and they have a strong bench that offers plenty of value when they are called upon. The Knicks simply need more energy, a factor that has lacked this season of times, as players have indicated so.

One way they can spark a bit more effort is by utilizing some of their young reserve players and increasing their minutes, notably two who have performed well lately.

Two players who deserve more playing time for the Knicks:

1.) Obi Toppin

If the Knicks are looking for a better transition offense and more energy, calling on Obi Toppin would be a sufficient move. Toppin has played 19+ minutes in the last two games, offering a combined 12 rebounds and 15 points. While his offensive game is still developing, especially as a shooter, he was one of the only Knick players to record a positive +/- against Denver.

Toppin’s minutes have been sporadic this season, but he is seeing a slight increase lately with the struggles of the starting team. The Knicks need more energy, but Toppin needs a point guard who understands his game and can help him thrive in transition. Pairing Obi with Immanuel Quickley would be a benefit since Quickley‘s aggressive mindset puts Toppin in a position to make electrifying plays.

The problem is that Toppin’s defense can be spotty at times, but his effort certainly stands out from the rest.

2.) Quentin Grimes

Another player who could help the Knicks tremendously is Quentin Grimes. He has also seen an uptick in minutes lately. Grimes featured in 12 minutes against Denver, posting six points and playing aggressive on-ball defense.

Having Grimes lockdown one of the Spurs’ top scoring guards would be ideal during portions of the game. His energy is contagious, and giving him more opportunities to score might also be beneficial. Grimes shot 50% from three-point range against Denver, hitting 2-of-4 attempts.

The Knicks need a bit more 3-and-D style players in the lineup, and Grimes offers that plus fantastic perimeter defense. He is a bit small at 6’4″, 210 pounds, since San Antonio utilizes two small forwards and center, but having him lock down the perimeter with another guard is ideal.

Are changes coming as Knicks prepare to take on San Antonio Spurs?

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quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks are coming off a three-game losing streak as they prepare to face off against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. The Spurs, on the other hand, have won four consecutive games, most recently against the Golden State Warriors, taking down Seth Curry and his 27 point performance.

However, the Spurs’ starting unit was dominant, as Dejounte Murray posted 23 points and Derrick White logged 25. However, San Antonio has a few solid bench pieces, including Lonnie Walker, who posted 21 points in the win, and Bryn Forbes.

The Knicks will be looking to stifle their winning streak in San Antonio, but they could be preparing to make a few changes with distributing minutes and player combinations.

“If we’re not performing well, look, there may be more changes coming,” Tom Thibodeau said over the weekend.

Thibodeau has already benched Kemba Walker for his lackluster defense, but it is possible they start to decrease the minutes of Evan Fournier, who’s provided nothing short of lackluster defense and poor positioning. His shot-making abilities and inconsistent shooting have plagued the Knicks and their attempt to hold leads in recent days, which could suggest a minor shift in defensive strategy.

Ultimately, the Knicks need better perimeter defense and efficient communication, something that has been lacking recently. Effort has also been a catalyst for the team’s struggles, which has been noted by multiple starters, including Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.

One player who could earn more time on the floor is rookie Quentin Grimes, who has provided phenomenal defense in recent days. Against the Denver Nuggets, he was one of only two players to record a positive +/-. Grimes has slowly been earning more time on the floor, posting 12 against Denver and six against the Chicago Bulls, an increase from three minutes against Brooklyn.

With Reggie Bullock taking his talents to Dallas, the Knicks need more 3-and-D players — it seems they made a poor decision investing in Fournier to try and out-score opponents (it disrupted the identity of the Knicks). Grimes can post up in the corner and offer an outlet option but also provide on-ball defending that makes life hectic for the opposing ballhandler. Pairing him with Immanuel Quickley on the floor might be a good move.

However, San Antonio utilizes two small forwards and a center, putting in work in the paint, which is the Knicks’ strong suit. White and Murray both make up the majority of the Spurs’ three-point shooting, so having Quickley and Grimes mark them could be beneficial for the defensive efforts.

Nonetheless, more effort and better communication are the keys for the Knicks moving forward, but the moment they find themselves in a deficit, they begin to implode with poor shot selections and lack of discipline.

Knicks’ Kemba Walker opens up about being benched, unsure what the future holds

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knicks, kemba walker

The New York Knicks got a bit too excited this past off-season, adding offensive playmakers, but they completely forgot how dominant their defense was during the 2020–21 season, which created a new identity for the team.

They elected to spend big money on acquiring Evan Fournier on a four-year, $72 million deal and landed Kemba Walker on a two-year, $17.9 million contract. However, both Fournier and Walker have been awful contributors on defense, failing to get into proper positioning and guarding the perimeter.

This led to head coach Tom Thibodeau pulling Walker from the rotation, especially after an abysmal November, where he shot just 29.6% from three-point range and 39% from the field. He posted more single-digit production games than double-digit scoring, shooting over 33% in just four contests.

However, the benching didn’t derail Walker’s attitude and confidence, indicating he would always be a team-first guy and support in any way he can. It’s not a bad gig for a player to earn $8 million to hang out on the bench and remain healthy for his next opportunity.

“I’ve always been a team guy first,” Kemba said. “It’s not about me, it’s about the team. So if he feels that’s what’s going to make the team better, then so be it. I’m just going to be here for my teammates. I’m here to help in any way, shape or form that I can.”

“I love being around my teammates,” he said. “I’m going to cheer them on until I can’t anymore. That’s what it’s about.”

Ultimately, the Knicks haven’t been much better in the absence of Walker, losing their last three games against Brooklyn, Chicago, and Denver. They will look to turn things around against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, but the squad has to find a new home for Walker at some point this year, which could come in a potential trade.
Kemba indicated that he is not sure what the rest of the season holds, but it is possible the Knicks need him down the line if injuries begin to mount. However, Thibodeau seems to be more reliant on Immanuel Quickley and even Miles McBride in a worst-case scenario rather than pulling walker back into the mix.

Should the Knicks consider trading Mitchell Robinson at the deadline?

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mitchell robinson, knicks

With the New York Knicks dipping below .500 on the season, management could be looking to make big changes ahead, specifically at the trade deadline as they potentially target a star player to pair with Julius Randle.

However, the team still needs to correct several issues within their own ranks, one of them being the inconsistent play of Mitchell Robinson this season. Robinson, who is preparing to turn 24 in a few months, is averaging 6.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.

Robinson is averaging his lowest points total in his career through 20 games this season and has seen a considerable regression compared to his sophomore campaign back in 2020. During that season, Robinson averaged 9.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game.

The biggest negative that Robinson presents is poor health, dealing with a myriad of injuries this season, including ankle, hip flexor, and primary lower-body issues.

While most fans love Mitch and what he brings to the table, including physicality and blocking proficiency, he’s essentially a nonexistent scorer that relies on put-back dunks as his catalyst on offense.

Seeing some of the more sufficient scoring centers in the league should indicate that a change might be necessary for the future. The Knicks have been tantalized by players like Myles Turner, Nikola Vucevic, and Nikola Jokic in recent days, showcasing what scoring big men can provide for a team.

It is clear that Robinson isn’t contributing a ton toward the team’s defensive efficiency, given the Knicks currently rank 23rd in defensive rating at 109.8. In addition, they’ve dropped to 17th in total rebounds per game but host the third-best interior defense in basketball.

Nonetheless, teams have tortured them from the perimeter, driving into the paint and kicking the ball out to the corners for easy shots. While Robinson isn’t responsible for this, the communication with his teammates has been poor.

The question is, should tom Thibodeau and the front office consider Robinson a trade piece of the deadline? Given he’s in the final year of his rookie contract, earning 1.8 million this season.

The only way this makes sense is if the Knicks pursue a scoring big man with solid defensive attributes. Of course, acquiring a player like Myles Turner would be a luxury, but it would also cost them young talent they may not be willing to part with.

However, based on Robinson’s growth and consistency issues, the Knicks may be better off utilizing him as a trade piece instead of banking on him as a long-term solution given stamina struggles and inefficient scoring.

Alternatively, Robinson gives the team much-needed physicality inside and still has plenty of untapped potential to exploit. Robinson has seen an increase in field goals made unassisted this season, hitting 42.9% compared to his 37.4% last year. An increase in muscle mass has hurt his stamina and effort at times, but that theoretically should improve as the season progresses.

Do you think the Knicks should consider trading away Mitchell Robinson? Comment here!

Could Knicks call up former 1st round pick from G-League to bring new energy?

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luka samanic, knicks

The New York Knicks need some new blood in their rotation coming off three consecutive losses to Brooklyn, Chicago, and Denver. In their most recent defeat to the Nuggets over the weekend, they were utterly embarrassed at home in front of their fans.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau indicated that his squad lacked energy, which has been a frequent occurrence this season among a myriad of struggles. Ranging from porous defense to inefficient shooting, the Knicks are looking for a new identity after displaying aggression and intensity during a hopeful 2020–21 season.

Fast forward to present-day, and Thibodeau was just looking for answers with the team looking to get back in the win column against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. The Spurs are struggling considerably this year, but after laying an egg against Denver, who had lost seven of their previous eight games, there’s no guarantee the Knicks can beat anybody at this point.

Thibs indicated that he may change their scheme and rotation again after dropping Kemba Walker last week in favor of Alec Burks as the starting point guard.

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One lowkey change that Thibodeau can make is bringing up Luka Samanic, a former first-round pick by the San Antonio Spurs. Samanic played in 33 games last season, averaging just 3.7 points per game.

However, he’s not even 22-years-old yet but has been lighting up the G-League with impressive numbers. Over six games, Samanic is averaging 32.8 minutes on the floor, posting 21.8 points on 44% shooting from the field and 30% shooting from deep. His 8.7 defensive rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.7 offensive rebounds stand out among his well-balanced stat sheet.

The Croatian international deserves an opportunity to help a struggling team find their identity. Samanic has the qualities to be a productive player but simply didn’t earn the opportunity during his time in San Antonio.

Considering New York is preparing to take on his former team, the game represents a perfect chance for him to gain some revenge and showcase what he can do at the professional level. While six games in the G-League doesn’t exactly provide much of a sample size, the Knicks simply need to shake up the rotation and provide some new blood. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Miles McBride get the call, either.

Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau calls out team for lack of effort

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tom thibodeau, knicks

Coming off three consecutive losses, the New York Knicks are trying to find ways to get back in the win column. After a 2020–21 season that proved the Knicks belonged in the playoff conversation, they’ve lost some of their grit and intensity.

Allowing Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock to walk in free agency seemed like a good move this off-season, but the loss of defense has proved to be significant for the Knicks, who have struggled considerably in recent days to match the intensity of last season. They currently rank 19th in defensive rating.

In fact, some are calling Tom Thibodeau’s team “soft,” as a lack of effort and hustle has hurt the team’s identity. Thibodeau called out his squad for the lack of effort in recent days, especially on defense, where they fail to rebound effectively and guard the perimeter.

“We’ve got to fix the effort part,” Thibodeau said, “and then we’ve got to go from there.”

Interestingly, the players have also acknowledged that they need to fight instead of letting teams use them as a punching bag. They don’t seem to be as hungry and motivated as last season, and when the fans begin to turn against them, it can be hard to find the motivation to succeed.

“We’ve just got to fight,” RJ Barrett said. “At the end of the day all the X’s and O’s, that doesn’t matter. We’ve got to play defense and we’ve got to fight.”

The Knicks added primary scorers in Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier this past off-season, but neither contribute on defense effectively. Walker has since been benched in favor of Alec Burks as the starting point guard, and Fournier simply doesn’t offer the defensive efficiency needed to supplement his inconsistent scoring. At this point, the front office may be regretting the massive four-year contract they offered to Fournier to replace Bullock as a shot-creating sharpshooter.

All-star power forward Julius Randle indicated that the team needs to play harder, showing aggression and maximum effort. He admitted they get a bit too lax at times, and taking on great teams like Brooklyn and Chicago, is an unacceptable excuse.

“In order to win games,” Randle said, “we’ve got to play really hard, extremely hard. … Who we are as a team, how we built this team and this culture, is just fighting defensively, the togetherness, just the effort and the hustle plays.

“I feel like that’s what the city of New York loves, that’s what the fans love, when they know we’re out there giving it our all. I think sometimes we’re just a little bit too lax, or we might think the little details don’t matter sometimes.”

Randle is spot on, New York expects toughness and grit — showcasing a lack of effort is an abysmal justification for losing, especially for professional players earning big money. Dropping three consecutive games, two of which came down to the final moments, the Knicks need to find ways to come out on top. It will always be through their defensive efficiency.

However, it starts with effort, and lacking hustle is never a good excuse for failure.