luca doncic

Knicks News, 7/11: Doncic loses favorite coach, Luca Vildoza update after loss to Australia

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luke doncic, knicks

There are very few players in the NBA worth unloading the farm for, and Dallas Mavericks star point guard Luka Doncic is one of them. While the New York Knicks are still a distant competitor for Doncic in a trade scenario, the All-NBA player lost his favorite coach in the organization on Sunday, as the Orlando Magic scooped up Jamahl Mosley as their next head coach.

There were reports that Doncic favored Mosley as Dallas’s next head coach, after the organization parted ways with their general manager and HC. Doncic went as far as to say “he’s got the things that are needed for a head coach.”

Does this open up a small door for the Knicks to gauge any trade interest? Possibly, but it is still very unlikely owner Mark Cuban allows Luka to even consider a departure. At the end of the day, the Mavericks have the ability to offer him a max contract on his rookie deal, which is more beneficial and lucrative than acquiring one on a different team.

At just 22 years old, Doncic is already averaging 27+ points on a nightly basis, in addition to 8.6 assists, and a 48% clip from the field last season. Attempting 8.3 shots from downtown, he’s also hit on 35%, which is solid for a high volume shooter.

With Dallas’s organization falling apart at the seams and losing coaches left and right, Luka could force his way out at some point, but he must figure out whether he values a massive payday or the chance to be happy with another organization.

Checking in on Luca Vildoza, New York Knicks foreign signing:

On Saturday, Argentina took on Australia, falling by just three points in Las Vegas during an exhibition match. The Knicks are excited to see what Vildoza can offer them during the 2021-22 season, as a two-way guard that has adequate shooting and solid court vision.

In the defeat on Saturday, Vildoza finished with 11 points, two assists, and hit three shots from range over eight attempts. He shot 33% from the field and 37.5% success from downtown weren’t exactly efficient, but he only featured in 18.5 minutes, a small sample size of work.

As he continues to increase his playing time and chemistry with the Argentinian national team, Luca should see his production increase, and the Knicks will be watching closely.

Knicks news, 6/19: Zion Williamson, Kemba Walker, Luca Doncic enter the realm of ‘possible’

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Zion Williamson, knicks

August is going to be an extremely exciting and entertaining month for the New York Knicks as they look to bolster their team with plenty of resources to capitalize on. With upwards of $60+ million available in funds, they can target the cream of the crop in free agency, but there’s also a chance they consider executing a trade for a bonafide star.

Of course, using their available money and retaining their draft capital would be the most efficient move, but there are some players who have entered the realm of ‘possible’ recently with rumors indicating their displeasure and the overturning of front offices.

The New York Knicks enter the realm of “possibility:”

Zion Williamson:

Even before Williamson was drafted in 2019, he was heavily connected to New York. Unfortunately, he ended up in New Orleans with the Pelicans, where he has become one of the best players in basketball. However, according to The Athletic,” Zion Williamson and his family” are not entirely content with New Orleans’ management.

Even Williamson himself hopes that the Knicks would land him with the No. 1 overall pick, so there is undying interest between the two sides. Of course, the Pelicans would have to agree to part ways with a player going into his third season who averaged 27 points this past year on .611 shooting from the field. This is probably the most unlikely of the three scenarios presented, not that any of them have true grounds to stand on just yet.

Kemba Walker:

The most likely player out of the three to land with the Knicks is Kemba Walker, who was traded on Friday to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a blockbuster deal. The Boston Celtics were looking to rid themselves of Kemba and his contract, as he is set to earn $36 million next season and has a player option for the 2022-23 campaign.

Kemba is one of the premier point guards in the NBA, but he has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons, missing out on the All-Star game in 2021. When at the peak of his game, though, Walker is undoubtedly an elusive PG who can run an offense at an elite level.

The Knicks will have to part ways with their first-round selections to acquire him from Oklahoma, just to take on his massive contract coming off an injury-riddled season where he played just 43 games (traditionally a Knicks move). The only way this occurs, in my opinion, is if Kemba is willing to restructure his contract considerably. At 31 years old, the Knicks will likely consider sticking on the younger side and going after Lonzo Ball alternatively.

Luca Doncic:

Another shot in the dark, the Dallas Mavericks turned over their entire front office this week, as they fired their general manager and watch their stoic head coach Rick Carlisle walk with two years left on his contract.

There is a slight possibility that Luka Doncic, one of the rising stars in the NBA, decides to force his way out of Dallas with the most recent transgressions going down.

In that case, the Knicks could look to unload the farm for Doncic, who would represent a shift in culture for New York. Doncic is currently eligible for a rookie Supermax extension, which constitutes five years and $201 million. It would be very difficult for him to turn that down and force his way out, but they are pictures of him in a Knicks jersey growing up, so there could be a clear-cut connection.

Knicks: One analyst believes Luca Doncic heading to New York is ‘feasible’

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luke doncic, knicks

Could the New York Knicks turn their attention to Luca Doncic after Dallas crumbles?

While the New York Knicks’ attention might be on Damian Lillard and prying him away from the Portland Trailblazers, the Dallas Mavericks have imploded this week, firing their general manager and watching their stoic head coach, Rick Carlisle, walk despite having two years left on his contract.

Dallas now faces significant issues, opening up the door for a potential Luka Doncic departure, which still remains unlikely. Doncic is currently under contract for the next two seasons, as the Mavericks can execute a club option in 2022, but if Luca refuses to play with management set to overturn, he could force his way out of Dallas and to a team with the necessary capital to acquire him.

Now, is there even the slightest chance the New York Knicks could be implied for a player as lucrative as Luca?

Jay Williams believes it’s “feasible” that Doncic could come to New York, given the draft capital they currently possess. However, Dallas owner Mark Cuban would have to sign off on this move, which is extremely unlikely considering Doncic represents the entire franchise.

Last season, Doncic averaged 27.7 points, 8.6 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and shot .479 from the field and .350 from three-point land. The 21-year-old Slovenia native is the poster boy of the NBA, and he might not even be able to maneuver his way out of his current contract.

It is well known that Doncic grew up a Knicks fan, but his disdain for the Mavericks franchise would have to run so deep he’s willing to risk a lucrative super-max deal. Forcing his way out of the organization would be an astronomical development, and considering he was just named an All-NBA First Team player, he is eligible to sign a super-max extension on August 6. The prospective deal would amount to more than $200 million over five seasons, a difficult number to turn down in hopes of joining a team he desires.

Doncic sounded disappointed that his head coach parted ways with the team early, but as of now, he seems dedicated to the club as he prepares for the Olympics in Tokyo with the Slovenia National Team.

While the Knicks might have the ammo to unload if he ultimately forced his way out, this remains a pipe dream and nothing more.