Am I missing why PJ Washington hasn't been signed yet? Seems like a great young talent that could thrive in a good system. He didn't kick his dog on IG Live or something, did he?
I feel Iike they have made the Knicks a better regular season team. But not a better playoff team.
If RJ could get to another level maybe, but I just think he doesn’t have the foot speed and fluid hips to make any sustainable jump.
I think the Knicks should try and make a big trade for a young player on another team rather than the old guys. Someone who hasn’t yet become a full stop star. That said, I have no idea who that would be.
So happy with having a drama less summer. Even having a no name Summer League Team will be relaxing. Although Isaiah Roby seems to be dividing issue brewing on Twitter. Yuval Noah Harari in his book Sapiens, contends gossip is one the the major reasons Homo-Sapiens have progressed to where are as a species. Nothing could be truer than the Knicks fan base. The Twitter wars, if it were weapons instead of words would be on the level of any of the big wars in history. That being said I can’t wait for the games to begin.
Great analysis today. Assuming the Bucks, Heat, Celtics and maybe the Sixers will be the teams to beat in the East, who, if anyone, is in the second tier with the Knicks and Cavs?
I could see Orlando jumping up the standings if Banchero makes a leap to All-Star caliber. They were an above .500 team for the last chunk of the season (post-ASG? Second half of the season?). Plus their division is weak - they’ll have a lot of games against Charlotte and Washington, and even Miami might be gettable in the regular season. I’m not sure it’s something I would bet on, but sometimes these young teams surprise when everything clicks into place.
It’s a bit surprising that the Knicks would go into the season with no back-up 4. Randle has certainly been an iron man but has a bum ankle to account for and at 28 (29 very early in the season), he can’t be expected, nor should he, play 38 minutes a night.
Hart and RJ can certainly play some minutes at PF but I think that’s flirting with disaster if they are counted on for 20+ minutes a game at that spot. While the days of the huge, lumbering Karl Malone types are gone, there are still a number of 6ft 9inch 6ft 10 inch, guys who could make life miserable for our smaller swing men.
There was a rumor last night about the Knicks interest in RFA Grant Williams but it was only reported in one place so hard to tell if is an accurate report or not. Regardless, I’d like to see them sign a more traditional PF to back-up Randle.
They may still find a way to bring in a warm body that's not currently on the roster, but that player will not be in the night to night rotation, not unless someone currently in the rotation goes out. Minutes just aren't there.
I was talking to a friend last night about how during the season there were times when Hartenstein and Sims shared the floor with Hart kind of playing the PF. I think Hart was looking like a really good passer and a capable defender. I could see him as the backup PF especially if Sims can get a little better on defense.
Need for a backup Four? Maybe... Baring an injury to Randle, I think some combination of Hart, Hartenstein, Simms, RJ, and Roby should get the Knicks through the season. Let's be real, when it came to defense and rebounding, Obi played much smaller than his size. And, today's League just isn't filled with a lot of old fashioned Power Forwards. There are many big guys who play soft and smaller guys who play tough. Most of the time, size doesn't matter more than will.
I like that we are basically running it back primarily because (a) the team was good last year after going to the 9 man rotation and adding Hart and (b) I think it's reasonable to expect further development and improvement for RJ, IQ, and Grimes. Some reasons for optimism:
1) RJ will be on the Canadian national team for FIBA World Cup with SGA and Jamal Murray. Most of the players on the American team have said in the past this is a big help for them improving their games. We can watch Hart and Brunson on Team USA but it will be interesting to see whether RJ has a bigger role than either of them with a different coach and with some arguably better talent than he plays for on the Knicks. Hard to believe but entering year 5 at age 23, RJ will still be the youngest Knicks rotation player. At 23, Jimmy Butler was just entering his 2nd year and only scored 8 ppg.
2) RJ had the weird finger injury which probably had some impact on the terrible 3pt shooting percentage. If he keeps grinding, improves finishing just a little bit and gets the 3pt shot up to slightly below league average, he could become a moderately efficient player. In that regard, improved spacing provided by DDV vs Obi should help the finishing on the 2nd unit.
3) IQ is going to be motivated after and great regular season and poor playoffs. Expect Grimes to continue to improve, especially off the dribble, since he works so hard.
I’m mentally prepared to go to battle with this current roster. I’m not however praised to have a guy named Charlie Brown Jr on our summer league roster. What kind of parent gets stuck being named after a Snoopy cartoon and then puts that burden on his son too?
Between this newsletter and Fred’s article, I don’t know what to think!! I tend to lean in Jon’s direction. The FO is perfectly fine rolling into the season with this roster.
Jon, what do you think about the rumor that the Knicks are one of the 5 or 6 teams in on Grant Williams?
I’d think a mid-season move is most likely. The current roster is unbalanced but you can make it work, especially early in the year when execution issues tend to cost more games than talent issues. Most of our guys are “+” from the neck up and play hard as hell, so I’d think they’ll play with fewer errors than most. We’ll see what we need and what becomes available as teams shake things out over the next couple months.
Fred Katz in his article today, and on the KFS stream, mentioned the Knicks we’re targeting these “prime” veteran wings with packages of their young players. ...I guess Lavine, OG, and George fit that, but wondering who else that is/was.
Jon - are there no Bird Rights or ability to extend OG if they traded for him to avoid unrestricted free agency next summer?
Will answer in tomorrow's newsletter!
Good question
Am I missing why PJ Washington hasn't been signed yet? Seems like a great young talent that could thrive in a good system. He didn't kick his dog on IG Live or something, did he?
That would be a weird dynamic if somehow Doncic found his way here now that Brunson is the king of the city.
I feel Iike they have made the Knicks a better regular season team. But not a better playoff team.
If RJ could get to another level maybe, but I just think he doesn’t have the foot speed and fluid hips to make any sustainable jump.
I think the Knicks should try and make a big trade for a young player on another team rather than the old guys. Someone who hasn’t yet become a full stop star. That said, I have no idea who that would be.
So happy with having a drama less summer. Even having a no name Summer League Team will be relaxing. Although Isaiah Roby seems to be dividing issue brewing on Twitter. Yuval Noah Harari in his book Sapiens, contends gossip is one the the major reasons Homo-Sapiens have progressed to where are as a species. Nothing could be truer than the Knicks fan base. The Twitter wars, if it were weapons instead of words would be on the level of any of the big wars in history. That being said I can’t wait for the games to begin.
Roby is going to go from forgotten to ridiculously important to some folks as soon as we lose a game.
Great analysis today. Assuming the Bucks, Heat, Celtics and maybe the Sixers will be the teams to beat in the East, who, if anyone, is in the second tier with the Knicks and Cavs?
I could see Orlando jumping up the standings if Banchero makes a leap to All-Star caliber. They were an above .500 team for the last chunk of the season (post-ASG? Second half of the season?). Plus their division is weak - they’ll have a lot of games against Charlotte and Washington, and even Miami might be gettable in the regular season. I’m not sure it’s something I would bet on, but sometimes these young teams surprise when everything clicks into place.
Indiana then next tier Brooklyn, ATL, Orlando, Chicago then Toronto in a tier by itself then Detroit, CHA then Washington
Was thinking perhaps Indy can put together a respectable regular season.
It’s a bit surprising that the Knicks would go into the season with no back-up 4. Randle has certainly been an iron man but has a bum ankle to account for and at 28 (29 very early in the season), he can’t be expected, nor should he, play 38 minutes a night.
Hart and RJ can certainly play some minutes at PF but I think that’s flirting with disaster if they are counted on for 20+ minutes a game at that spot. While the days of the huge, lumbering Karl Malone types are gone, there are still a number of 6ft 9inch 6ft 10 inch, guys who could make life miserable for our smaller swing men.
There was a rumor last night about the Knicks interest in RFA Grant Williams but it was only reported in one place so hard to tell if is an accurate report or not. Regardless, I’d like to see them sign a more traditional PF to back-up Randle.
They may still find a way to bring in a warm body that's not currently on the roster, but that player will not be in the night to night rotation, not unless someone currently in the rotation goes out. Minutes just aren't there.
I was talking to a friend last night about how during the season there were times when Hartenstein and Sims shared the floor with Hart kind of playing the PF. I think Hart was looking like a really good passer and a capable defender. I could see him as the backup PF especially if Sims can get a little better on defense.
So you don’t think the Grant Williams interest is real?
Need for a backup Four? Maybe... Baring an injury to Randle, I think some combination of Hart, Hartenstein, Simms, RJ, and Roby should get the Knicks through the season. Let's be real, when it came to defense and rebounding, Obi played much smaller than his size. And, today's League just isn't filled with a lot of old fashioned Power Forwards. There are many big guys who play soft and smaller guys who play tough. Most of the time, size doesn't matter more than will.
I like that we are basically running it back primarily because (a) the team was good last year after going to the 9 man rotation and adding Hart and (b) I think it's reasonable to expect further development and improvement for RJ, IQ, and Grimes. Some reasons for optimism:
1) RJ will be on the Canadian national team for FIBA World Cup with SGA and Jamal Murray. Most of the players on the American team have said in the past this is a big help for them improving their games. We can watch Hart and Brunson on Team USA but it will be interesting to see whether RJ has a bigger role than either of them with a different coach and with some arguably better talent than he plays for on the Knicks. Hard to believe but entering year 5 at age 23, RJ will still be the youngest Knicks rotation player. At 23, Jimmy Butler was just entering his 2nd year and only scored 8 ppg.
2) RJ had the weird finger injury which probably had some impact on the terrible 3pt shooting percentage. If he keeps grinding, improves finishing just a little bit and gets the 3pt shot up to slightly below league average, he could become a moderately efficient player. In that regard, improved spacing provided by DDV vs Obi should help the finishing on the 2nd unit.
3) IQ is going to be motivated after and great regular season and poor playoffs. Expect Grimes to continue to improve, especially off the dribble, since he works so hard.
I’m mentally prepared to go to battle with this current roster. I’m not however praised to have a guy named Charlie Brown Jr on our summer league roster. What kind of parent gets stuck being named after a Snoopy cartoon and then puts that burden on his son too?
I assume everyone watch Julius on the PG Pod. If not I really recommend it. https://youtu.be/FRpn4kR8fw8
Remember when the whole thing was that the Knicks had way too many power forwards? My how the tables have turned.
Between this newsletter and Fred’s article, I don’t know what to think!! I tend to lean in Jon’s direction. The FO is perfectly fine rolling into the season with this roster.
Jon, what do you think about the rumor that the Knicks are one of the 5 or 6 teams in on Grant Williams?
I’d think a mid-season move is most likely. The current roster is unbalanced but you can make it work, especially early in the year when execution issues tend to cost more games than talent issues. Most of our guys are “+” from the neck up and play hard as hell, so I’d think they’ll play with fewer errors than most. We’ll see what we need and what becomes available as teams shake things out over the next couple months.
Ah, you answered it above.
I like this roster, I like this team. #BrunItBack to ECF.
Fred Katz in his article today, and on the KFS stream, mentioned the Knicks we’re targeting these “prime” veteran wings with packages of their young players. ...I guess Lavine, OG, and George fit that, but wondering who else that is/was.