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.
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.
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!
After the New York Knicks lost to the Toronto Raptors, coach Tom Thibodeau talked about losing to a team playing with an edge.
Earlier, they responded to an unexpected loss to a rebuilding Orlando Magic team by playing with an edge against a hobbling Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. He was expecting the same when they traveled to Indiana. But to his surprise, it was Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers who showed up with an edge on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Field House.
Turner repeatedly hurt the Knicks inside and out as the Pacers buried them early in a 111-98 road loss for their first losing streak of the young season. It was another painful reminder of what the Knicks are missing.
The 5-1 start somehow swept the Knicks’ inconsistency and defensive deficiency under the rug. In Tom Thibodeau’s oft-repeated refrain, “When you feel good about yourself and let your guard down that’s when you get knocked down.”
The trade off between a supercharged offense and last season’s stout defense is rearing its ugly head.
The Knicks team that the fans fell in love with last season played with an edge and climbed their way up to the standings with a blue-collar defense anchored by a strong rim protection, perimeter closeouts and selectively allowing outside shots from weak outside shooters.
Turner fits the profile of a weak outside shooter. In three games against the Knicks last season, Turner managed to only hit 4 of 20 three-pointers. Entering Wednesday’s matchup, Turner was just 32-percent outside shooter, hitting 11 of 34 threes in the Pacers’ first eight games.
But against the Knicks, Turner turned the corner.
In what became a familiar sight to Julius Randle, Turner’s confidence notched a level higher every time the Pacers big man hit a three-pointer.
“We missed some shots. Myles got hot early. You know with him [when] he gets [his] confidence early, he’s good and he’s gonna be able to hit shots for the rest of the game,” Randle said.
Randle knows it too well having worked with Turner under the same trainer in their home state in Texas last summer.
Tyler Relph, Randle’s long-time trainer who was responsible in helping him grew into a 41-percent three-point shooter last season, is also doing the same to Turner to expand his game and become a modern big man. It’s a development that could push the Knicks to try harder in teaming him up with Randle.
The #Knicks have been trying hard to get #Pacers to part with Myles Turner. So far, not happening. This and other intel entering free agency. They don’t seem in a hurry to bust up their core. https://t.co/EbXdFIHDO9
Turner’s summer work with Relph was on full display against the Knicks. Turner connected on 7 of 10 threes that opened up the driving lanes for the Pacers guards and wings. He drained two triples and made a putback in the Pacers’ 11-0 start that floored the Knicks.
Indiana shot 16 of 41 from the outside and 26 of 50 inside the arc.
Turner’s backup Goga Bitadze added two threes as they dragged Mitchell Robinson and the returning Nerlens Noel out of the paint on defense. The Knicks’ woes were exacerbated by Indiana’s 18 transition points.
The Knicks know where teams are hurting them. Their transition defense is all about effort. They talked about it openly during Tuesday’s film session.
But it’s easier said than done.
The Knicks never had a chance against the Pacers whose starting unit is long, big, mobile and versatile. They came as close as three points twice later in the game but Turner and the Pacers always punched back harder. New York was a step slower on defense. And their newfound weapon — the three-point shot — betrayed them on this night. They woefully shot a conference-low 5 for 24 from deep.
If not for RJ Barrett’s 12-point third quarter explosion in another strong offensive showing, it could have been worse for the Knicks. Though Barrett had his worst performance over his last four games. He needed 20 shots to get to 23 points.
Randle finished with a monster double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds but was only 6 for 16 from the floor. Evan Fournier only hit 1 of 5 threes and Kemba Walker had his worst shooting night, going 0 for 5 from deep and 2-for-11 overall for four points.
“My thing is I don’t like to pin the blame on any one player,” Thibodeau responded when asked about Walker’s discouraring stats line. “As a group, we didn’t play well. We’re all part of it— coaches, players. And [struggle] is a part of the season. How do we navigate it?”
Six Indiana players finished in double figures led by Turner’s 25 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Malcolm Brogdon was solid in his return from sickbay as he thoroughly outplayed Walker. Brogdon produced 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
“The East is loaded. So every night you got to bring it. And an important part of winning is playing with an edge,” Thibodeau said.
The Knicks simply did not have it in the past two games. They lost to two teams who were beset with COVID-19-related issues and injuries last year. Even in their wins save for their off-the-charts shooting in Orlando, there were signs of cracks in their defense as they could not hold on to double-digit leads.
With the Raptors now back in Toronto after an uninspiring wandering in Tampa Bay, they are off to an impressive start. Their current five-game winning streak is something special as they played with their star Pascal Siakam on the sideline and rookie stud Scottie Barnes joining him in the last two games. The Pacers are starting to round off the edges as they get healthier under a chammpionship-level coach Rick Carlisle.
These two teams are part of the second tier where the Knicks would be competing for a spot in the playoffs and avoid the play-in tournament. Miami Heat’s 6-1 start may have catapulted them to the first tier along with the Sixers, Brooklyn Nets and defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, who are on deck for the Knicks on Friday night.
The Knicks may have reloaded with better talent but it will not matter if they don’t get their acts together on the other side of the ball. Shooting will come and go. But as the cliche goes, hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. The Knicks need to return to outworking and outhustling everybody.
“We got to pick ourselves up and have a determination about it. I always say, you have to be mentally tough when you’re facing adversity, and that’s where we are right now,” Thibodeau said.
They are in the same exact spot (5-3) through the first eights games as last season. What followed next was a five-game losing streak.
We’ll see what this new iteration of Knicks are made of after next week.
It only gets tougher from here as their next five games include the Bucks on Friday, the rejuvenated Cleveland Cavaliers and the Sixers on a back-to-back home-and-away schedule on Sunday and Monday. A rematch with the Bucks and a faceoff against the high-flying Charlotte Hornets complete a trechearous next week for the Knicks.
It’s still early in the season. But adversities like this is something Thibodeau would want to have now rather than later when the stakes are higher.
The New York Knicks are still undecided on Mitchell Robinson being their long-term center. After suffering a fractured hand and foot last season, Robinson performed in just 31 games, starting in 29. He averaged 8.3 points, 1.5 blocks, 8.1 rebounds, and shot 65% from the field. Unfortunately, this was not the campaign New York anticipated from Robinson, who was trying to reach the next level and average double-digit points per night.
Injuries have held Mitchell back, and on the final year of his rookie contract, where he will earn $1.8 million, the Knicks have a big decision coming up centered around his extension.
If the Knicks elect to extend him on a long-term deal, they will have to offer him a pay raise, but there is one other option they are heavily pursuing, according to J. Michael of the Indy Star.
The #Knicks have been trying hard to get #Pacers to part with Myles Turner. So far, not happening. This and other intel entering free agency. They don’t seem in a hurry to bust up their core. https://t.co/EbXdFIHDO9
President Leon Rose could be looking to incorporate Robinson in a potential trade offer for Indiana Pacers big man Miles Turner. Turner is on a four-year, $80 million deal with two years left on the contract. He will earn $17.8 million in each of the next two seasons, but at this point in his career, he’s not only a more refined talent compared to Robinson, but he’s also a better scorer.
Last season, Turner averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and shot 47% from the field. He started 47 games for Indiana, posting a career-high 3.4 blocks. Robinson is known as one of the best shot blockers in the NBA, and his career-high was only 2.4 during his rookie campaign in 2018.
While Turner is earning a significant amount more than Robinson this upcoming year, he’s only 24-years-old and offers just as much if not more defensively, and he’s capable of shooting from downtown, averaging 33% over 4.4 attempts last season. He is a 78% free-throw shooter compared to Robinson at 57%.
For Tom Thibodeau, Turner would be a significant addition, but unless they envision Robinson as the future and don’t want to give up on his potential, they could continue to pester Indiana until they consider a trade offer. With free agency opening up on Monday evening, things will likely move quickly.
By trading for Turner, the Knicks would have to include Robinson in the deal, which could be worth it based on their statistical comparisons.
Would you include Robinson in a trade for Myles Turner? Comment below!
There is a possibility the New York Knicks are forced to replace five players preparing to hit the open market, and one of them is small/shooting guard Reggie Bullock.
Bullock is reportedly receiving interest from multiple teams, including the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Reggie had himself a solid 2020-21 season with the Knicks last year, helping them take a big step forward in the three-point category, shooting 41% over 6.1 attempts per game. He averaged 11 points, 1.5 assists, and shot 44% from the floor over 65 games. In fact, he averaged the most minutes of his entire career last season with Tom Thibodeau’s, playing 30 per game.
Replacing his impact at the price point of $4.2 million is likely impossible, but there is one alternative option the Knicks could view as a long-term solution at small forward.
Golden State Warriors Kelly Oubre Jr. could fit the bill at 25 years old. Last season, he averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and shot 44% from the field. While his three-point percentage was a measly 31.6% over 5.2 attempts per game, the expectation is that he will elevate that number to a more consistent clip. His career-high sits at 35% from range, but it seems as if players under Thibodeau’s perform better, which Oubre hinted at when asked about the potential of signing with the Knicks this off-season.
”To come in and to help help the organization get better. They’ve already started, the uphill trajectory of what they’re trying to get to with this past year, having a great season and balling out, RJ coming into his own, everybody really coming into their own and making a family unit. That was pretty much the biggest thing and that is why I feel like Tom Thibodeau had a very big part in that.”
Replacing Bullock with Oubre has its pros and cons, as the younger of the two offers far better defense and potential, but Bullock is a more refined shooter, which the Knicks will undoubtedly miss unless they supplement his loss in other ways. However, I believe the team is looking to utilize Immanuel Quickley more strategically next season as a shooting guard, which would supplement the loss of Bullock’s three-point percentage to a degree.
Should the Knicks pursue a Myles Turner trade to bolster center position?
The Indiana Pacers could be looking to trade center, Myles Turner this off-season, and he is a player that offers not only quality defense, but scoring prowess. Last season, he average 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and shot 47.7% from the field. In addition, he’s even capable of shooting from range, connecting on 33.5% over 4.4 attempts. He is a legitimate starting big man, who posted a career-high 3.4 blocks per game, indicating a massive step forward with his defense.
Pairing Turner with Mitchell Robinson will give the Knicks one of the best center duos in the NBA, both capable of elite defense and scoring at an efficient rate. However, sharing minutes between the two would be tough — it would open up the door for the Knicks to utilize Robinson as a trade piece.
In fact, trading for Turner might force the team to include Robinson in the deal, but they would be gaining a fantastic player in return who they can depend on regularly. Contractually, Turner signed a four-year, $80 million deal in 2019, and has two years left remaining. He is owed $17.5 million next season, representing a far more expensive player than Mitchell Robinson at $1.8 million. Ideally, the Knicks will roll with Robinson and he will prove to be a force on both sides of the floor next year, earning a second contract with the team that will keep them in New York for the foreseeable future.
When the New York Knicks signed Nerlens Noel, they didn’t expect him to be a defensive maestro for them during the 2020 season. Of course, he offered a 6’11′ shot-blocking center, but he underwhelmed in producing points on the scoreboard. One of the Knicks’ most prevalent struggles during the postseason was their lack of aggressiveness and physicality against a stronger frontcourt, courtesy of the Atlanta Hawks. Noel and Taj Gibson simply couldn’t compete against Clint Capela, which will likely force the hand of management to find another competent center with a physically imposing frame to pair with Mitchell Robinson.
While there is a chance the Knicks bring back Noel, who set a career-high in blocked shots last season with 2.2 per game, they might find their money spent better elsewhere. The Knicks will have $5 million in additional salary to spend, which is what Noel earned last season for starting 41 games, the most since his 2015 campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Gibson could also be a consideration, despite the fact he is 36 years old and was clearly outmuscled during the playoffs. However, he is a relentless player that exerts maximum effort and energy. It doesn’t seem the Knicks are too intrigued by Gibson as a future option, though, considering he played a little bit more than half the season and signed for $2.28 million after Robinson went down with a fractured hand.
Nonetheless, let’s take a look at a few options the Knicks should consider this off-season to further bolster their frontcourt.
Three big men to target this offseason for the Knicks:
1.) Myles Turner
While President Leon Rose would have to trade for Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers, he is an adequate center who offers more offensive production than Gibson, Noel, and Robinson. Last season, he averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and a career-high 3.4 blocks per game. He is a defensive menace at 25 years old and has his best basketball ahead of him. He started 47 games for the Pacers last year, and with Domantas Sabonis also playing a similar position, the Pacers could be looking to part ways with Turner for capital.
Unless Indiana is asking for a behemoth package in return, this is a scenario the Knicks should heavily consider.
2.) Jarrett Allen
Another free-agent target could be Jarrett Allen, who is only 23 and coming off a solid season with the Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Allen is also a more efficient scorer than Robinson, and offering a new point guard a solid option down low who can perform well in the pick and roll game would be ideal.
Bobby Marks of ESPN reported that the Knicks could be intrigued by Jarrett, and while he has a qualifying offer of $7.7 million for this upcoming season, it seems as if Cleveland will allow him to test the market. Of course, Cleveland will have the opportunity to match any offers, but if Allen earns more than the QO, he could easily part ways and find himself transitioning back to the Big Apple.
3.) Hassan Whiteside
If head coach Tom Thibodeau wants to focus on defense, Hassan Whiteside could be an option for the Knicks. As a two-time blocking champ and All-Defensive player in 2015, the 32-year-old could still be an adequate player behind Robinson.
Last year with the Sacramento Kings, he played in 36 games, averaging 8.1 points, 1.3 blocks, and 6.0 rebounds. However, during the 2019 season with Portland, he averaged 15.5 points, 2.9 blocks, and 13.5 rebounds. There’s no question he has plenty of defensive prowess, and at 7’0″ and 265-pounds, he’s exactly the imposing force the Knicks need during the postseason.
Whiteside would likely be the cheapest of the bunch, as he earned just $2.3 million last season with Sacramento.
Out of these three options, who would you want the Knicks to land? Comment below!
The New York Knicks will be speculatively connected to various players this off-season, ranging from stars like Damian Lillard to lesser-known names like Kendrick Nunn. Whether or not the Knicks actually capitalize on any of these links is yet to be seen.
While Vegas has the Knicks as the top favorites to land Lillard, other players are also finding themselves in the mix, and the latest is big man Myles Turner from Indiana.
The Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks have expressed interest in Turner for a significant amount of time. The Minnesota Timberwolves also have strong interest in Turner.
Turner is an intriguing player, and if the Knicks let Nerelens Noel and Taj Gibson walk this off-season, they can save approximately $7.2 million (their 2020-21 earnings combined) and roll it over to a more productive singular player. Turner offers plenty as a solid rebounder and scorer in the pain, and at 24 years old, he has his best days ahead of him.
For a big man, averaging 6.5 rebounds might not stand out, but there is room for improvement, and he had a career-high 3.4 blocks per game this past season over 47 contests. For comparison sake, Noel, who regularly curated blocks throughout the 2020–21 campaign, average just 2.2 per game.
Turner is a stout defensive player, and averaging 12.6 points as a center isn’t too shabby either. However, Turner is currently on a four-year contract, heading into the third season of his deal in 2022. He finds himself in a similar situation to Damian Lillard, who would have to be traded to part ways with his current team. As a former first-round pick in 2015, Turner clearly offers stout defensive play and scoring prowess at 6’11”, the same size as Noel.
The Knicks would have to part ways with players and draft capital to land Turner. There is no possible way they can acquire both Lillard and Turner via trade, so they will have to settle at some point, given a scenario presents themselves. Of course, this is all speculation, and Indiana would have to consider a trade to even make this possible.
Luckily for the Knicks, the Pacers are looking to settle an interesting conundrum they found themselves in, choosing between Myles Turner and Domantes Sabonis. Both play a similar position so parting ways with one of them, likely Turner, makes the most sense. The Knicks actually represent a solid trade partner given their draft capital and a few solid young pieces they could move in a prospective deal.
What do you think about the idea of trading for miles Turner? Let me know in the comments below!
The New York Knicks have thrived and managed to get to as high as the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference without Mitchell Robinson. But after losing three of their last four since the All-Star break, the Knicks desperately need help to finish games.
While Robinson could still be weeks away from returning, his recovery progress has been encouraging.
The Knicks’ young center was seen at team practices and pre-game routines doing some light work without a cast in the last few days. New York coach Tom Thibodeau confirmed that Robinson had been cleared for non-contact drills. The next step for him is to go through practice.
“I know he’s been evaluated. He can get [contact], but not game contact yet,” Thibodeau said after the Knicks’ 99-96 loss in Philadelphia.
Robinson has missed the Knicks’ last 14 games. New York won eight during his absence, relying on Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson and sometimes playing Julius Randle as a small-ball center.
The Knicks were also rumored to be shopping for a big man linking them to Cleveland Cavaliers’ Andre Drummond and Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner.
But it was unclear whether those interests came before or after Robinson went down with an injury. Robinson underwent surgery last February 16 to repair a fracture in his right hand.
It seems his hand has been healing well.
“There’s a progression to what he goes through. Everything looks good,” Thibodeau said.
Initially, Robinson was projected to miss four to six weeks. He’s now on the fifth week of recovery.
“He’s done a lot of running on the court—that sort of thing and ball handling with the left hand. And now, the next phase is for him to go through practice. Take contact there, and we all know the intensity of the game is a lot different than practice. That will be the next step, and then once he clears that, he’ll be ready to go,” Thibodeau said.
There’s no definite timetable yet for his return.
Can the Knicks afford more time to wait for him, or will they pull the trigger on a trade to bring in frontcourt help for their playoff push?
Michael added the Knicks into a group that includes the two Los Angeles teams, Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans, which inquired on Turner’s availability.
Turner is in the second year of a four-year, $80-million deal with $70 million guaranteed money.
The Indiana Pacers, though, aren’t shopping Turner, according to Michael’s report, despite making him available in the offseason in a Gordon Hayward deal with the Boston Celtics that was stalled.
Nevertheless, the story only raised questions about Mitchell Robinson’s future with the Knicks.
It is unclear if the Knicks’ interest in Drummond and Turner began after Robinson went down with a broken hand.
Robinson has firmly established himself as a starter this season after a shaky start with Tom Thibodeau.
Before Robinson’s injury, he was the bedrock of the Knicks’ defense, which was ranked third in the league at that time. Thibodeau has been effusive in his praise for the young big man.
But Thibodeau also didn’t hide in his interviews that he’s seeking established players that can help him win in the league.
“I have a strong bias towards good players. I know they (front office) are looking at all the possibilities. If something makes sense for us, we’ll do it. If not, I love the team that we have. I love the guys that we have on the team,” Thibodeau said last week when asked about the Knicks’ plans as the March 25 trade deadline approaches.
Drummond is the league’s leading rebounder and a two-time NBA All-Star, while Turner has been leading the league in shot blocks since last season. Both are better players than Robinson at this stage of their careers. Between Drummond and Turner, the latter fits more the Knicks’ young core as he will only turn 25 this month. Drummond is three years older.
If the Knicks will be successful in bringing either of them or a player of their caliber, what will happen to Robinson?
Will he be amenable to slide back to the bench, or will the Knicks shop him?
Robinson is on a team-friendly contract with a $1.8 million team option for next season. If the Knicks exercise that option, they can have Robinson for another season backing up or competing for minutes with whoever they bring in. But they could also lose him for nothing via free agency in 2022 unless they flip him in next year’s trade deadline.
There’s also a better scenario for the Knicks, which ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby Marks suggested:
“To protect themselves long term, the smart thing is to decline the option and give Robinson a qualifying offer. That would make him a restricted free agent, and because of his low $2.1 million cap hold, New York can use cap space first and then circle back to sign him,” Marks wrote.
The Knicks will have roughly $45 million cap space this summer.
The next eight days and even this summer will be interesting for Robinson and the Knicks.
