COMFORT ZONE
NFL’s upcoming virtual draft could allow Giants GM Gettleman to stay set in his ways
Allegiances fall elsewhere when a new team president takes over and the Knicks are again staring at roster turnover. Eight players can become free agents. The five definitely under contract were acquired by Steve Mills, who was fired in February and replaced by longtime agent Leon Rose.
There’s a lot up in the air for the Knicks, beyond the question of when or if the season will resume. Nobody seems to have a good answer. According to a source, the players union told NBA agents Tuesday that there are neither firm plans nor a cutoff date for a decision. Union boss Michele Roberts could only offer that the NBA’s efforts have been genuine.
For the sake of this article, we’ll assume the season is over. And even if it’s not, the Knicks effectively finished their 2019-20 campaign a long time ago.
So let’s take a look at their roster and break down the reasons why each player will or won’t return:
BOBBY PORTIS
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: It’s tough to find a reason, but here’s an unlikely scenario: the Knicks decline his $15.8 million team option, strike out in free agency, and re-sign Portis at a lower salary. Portis is not worth $15 million, but he’s still an NBA player.
WHY HE’S GONE: $15.8 million team option. That was above Portis’ market value last summer and it’s especially above his market value next season with a reduced salary cap. The Knicks won’t pick it up and he’ll hit the open market. Portis is a backup and redundant if Julius Randle is playing 30-plus minutes.
KEVIN KNOX
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: There’s no question Knox has been a disappointment as a ninth overall pick. But he’s also only 20 years old with obvious physical tools and has a strong supporter in Kentucky coach John Calipari (who happens to be close with Leon Rose). Trading Knox when his value is this low doesn’t sound intriguing.
WHY HE’S GONE: Rose didn’t draft Knox and therefore has less invested in his development. There have been signs in Knox’s two years that he’s not going to progress beyond an inefficient scorer and a negative defender. Might as well cut ties while you can.
JULIUS RANDLE
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: He averaged 19.5 points and, more importantly, is guaranteed $18.9 million next season. He’s an offensive asset so long as the next coach convinces Randle that ball movement is beneficial.
WHY HE’S GONE: Randle needs the ball and is therefore not conducive to developing young players. His 3point shot is also unreliable, which leads to floor spacing issues. If the Knicks decide to go all-in on RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and their 2020 first-round pick, trading Randle is the better move — even if the return isn’t helpful.
TAJ GIBSON
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: A Brooklynbred veteran leader and a positive influence in the locker room. Retaining Gibson makes more sense if Tom Thibodeau is hired as head coach. Not only did their partnership thrive in Chicago, but Thibodeau was so high on Gibson he brought the center to his next job in Minnesota.
WHY HE’S GONE: That $9.54 million team option is too much. The Knicks shouldn’t spend that much money on Mitchell Robinson’s placeholder. And once the option is declined, Gibson should look to sign with a contender. He’ll be 35 next season.
MITCHELL ROBINSON
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: He’s an athletic specimen with a bright future so long as the basketball IQ eventually kicks in. Robinson is an obvious keeper. The 20-year-old is a pillar to build on.
WHY HE’S GONE: He’s among the Knicks’ most valuable assets and many around the league believe Rose will chase superstars. It’s unlikely the Knicks will pull off a big trade this summer, but if they do, the other team will inquire about the Knicks’ alleyoop machine.
FRANK NTILIKINA
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: Ntilikina is a defender and the Knicks don’t have enough of those. If the team ever gets good, the Frenchman is an asset because the coach can stick him on the opposition’s best perimeter threat.
WHY HE’S GONE: Offensively it’s a constant struggle and it’s fair to question whether Ntilikina can improve enough to stay on the floor. If he can’t hit the open 3-pointer, he’s hurting the Knicks. Trading Ntilikina makes sense if Rose doesn’t plan on re-signing him in 2021.
RJ BARRETT
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: He’s a professional scorer who makes up for a lack of quickness with his strength. It’s easy to envision Barrett as a starting wing of the future. You don’t give that up after one season. He’s the safest bet for a return.
WHY HE’S GONE: Like with Robinson, Barrett is an asset relinquished only in a blockbuster.
DAMYEAN DOTSON
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: Has demonstrated two-way potential and deserved more playing time than he received this season. He’s only 25 and a restricted free agent, meaning the Knicks control his rights. Re-signing Dotson at a reasonable price makes sense.
WHY HE’S GONE: Dotson seemed to regress from last season and was demoted by interim coach Mike Miller, logging only 48 games and averaging 17.4 minutes. That’s not a good sign for the future and the Knicks can easily cut ties in the summer by letting him sign elsewhere.
ELFRID PAYTON
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: The bar was low, but Payton was the team’s best point guard this season. And after Fred VanVleet, the options are underwhelming in free agency. He might be the best option.
WHY HE’S GONE: The $8 million team option is expensive, and the Knicks have two younger point guards
with guaranteed contracts (Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr.). They also could draft their future point guard in June. Payton is solid, but he can’t shoot.
WAYNE ELLINGTON
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: Hmmmmmm. Grasping at straws, but Rose might prioritize Ellington’s shooting and felt he got a raw deal this season. A late-season mini surge pointed the arrow upward.
WHY HE’S GONE: Ellington’s got an $8 million team option and barely played. There were even talks about a buyout before the trade deadline, and it’s hard to imagine a reunion.
DENNIS SMITH JR.
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: Smith Jr. is guaranteed $5.7 million next season and his value is at an all-time low. It’s better to try to get something better out of his athleticism than to trade a 22year-old for nothing.
WHY HE’S GONE: Mills felt an obligation to develop Smith Jr. because he was a main piece recouped in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. But Mills was fired and Rose holds no such ties. Furthermore, Smith Jr. still thinks highly of his game and would rather a relocation than wallow on the bench for another season.
REGGIE BULLOCK
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: That $4.2 million team option for next season is very reasonable, and the Knicks should take advantage. Bullock moved into the starting lineup and produced immediately after back surgery. Imagine if he had an entire training camp and preseason.
WHY HE’S GONE: The cap space can be valuable depending on who Rose is targeting in free agency. Bullock was solid, but nobody is confusing him for a key to the future.
ALLONZO TRIER
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: He’s a microwave scorer and that can be useful off the bench. Trier, 24, also won’t cost much in free agency.
WHY HE’S GONE: Trier was bumped out of the rotation early and logged only 24 games this season. Scouts see his tunnel-vision offense, his shaky defense, and don’t believe it’s conducive to winning.
MAURICE HARKLESS
WHY HE’LL BE BACK: He’s a New York native and a tested NBA professional who can contribute to a winner. A defensive specialist and a team player.
WHY HE’S GONE: Harkless will be an unrestricted free agent and contenders with cap exceptions are the best fit.
If the Timberwolves are hoping to hang Kevin Garnett’s jersey from the rafters one day, it won’t be happening with his blessing any time soon.
It was announced Sunday that The Big Ticket had punched his ticket to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, joining a 2020 class also headlined by Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Even though he began his Hall of Fame career in Minnesota, there is no love lost between Garnett and Twolves owner Glen Taylor.
“At this point, I don’t want any dealings with Glen Taylor or Taylor Corp. or anything that has to do with him,” Garnett said in an interview with the Athletic. “I love my Timberwolves, I’ll always love my guys, I’ll always love the people who f— with me there. I’ll always have a special place for the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota in my heart.
But I don’t do business with snakes. I don’t do business with snake motherf——. I try not to do business with openly snakes or people who are snake-like.”
In 2007, Garnett left Minnesota to join forces with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo in Boston, where the Celtics won a championship the following season. The Nets traded for Garnett, Pierce and Jason Terry in 2014. The next season, Garnett opted to waive his notrade clause with the Nets for a deal that sent him back to Minnesota.
Garnett said he had an agreement in place with then-Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders that, in exchange for waiving his no-trade clause, he would become a member of the Wolves’ ownership group and take on a front-office role after he retired.
That never happened after Saunders died from Hodgkin lymphoma in 2015.
“Glen and I had an understanding before Flip died,” Garnett claimed, “and when Flip died, that understanding went with Flip. For that, I won’t forgive Glen. I won’t forgive him for that.”