Kornet hoping for a full-time NBA contract
Luke Kornet has participated in David Fizdale’s workouts the past five weeks, the new Knicks coach hoping to add another dimension to Kornet’s game and make him not just a 3-point, bigman specialist.
Fizdale wants the 7-foot free-agent Kornet to be able to take it to the rim and finish with authority if the 3-pointer isn’t there.
“He wants everyone to be able to drive and finish,’’ Kornet told The Post in a phone interview. “It’s something I’ve worked a on a lot — being able to finish better. My 3-point shooting is the center of my offensive game and I want to be great at that. But the finishing aspect would really take me to the next level. When guys are trying to pressure and keep you off the 3-point line, to be able to make a play there, make the next play if they take [the 3-pointer] away.’’
Whether Kornet is still launching treys for the Knicks this season is a mystery. Though he’s slated to be on the Knicks summer league team, Kornet became a restricted free agent Sunday.
Kornet was on a reduced two-way G-League deal last season. He played 20 games for the Knicks and 36 with Westchester. Now he has a chance to get a full-blown NBA deal. The minimum for a secondyear player counts for $1.2 million.
According to sources, two teams have expressed preliminary interest in giving Kornet a full NBA contract for their 15-man roster. The Knicks may prefer keeping Kornet on a two-way deal again, which means he wouldn’t be on the 15-man roster.
“The Knicks have definitely showed interest with their development,’’ Kornet said. “They’ve enjoyed having me around. I had a great year here. I would love to be back in New York. I’m kind of waiting to hear. Another year here would be something I’d be excited to have.’’
However, if another club comes through with a $1.2 million offer, the Knicks will have to decide whether to match based on many variables.
If the Knicks’ second-round pick, raw rookie center Mitchell Robinson, looks good in summer league that starts with a July 3 practice — with the team debut July 7 — that could affect their decision to pass.
Also, if they decide to re-sign center Kyle O’Quinn (they can exceed the cap on a one-year deal), that would be another factor in not using a 15man roster spot on the former Vanderbilt star and wanting him back only in his split G-League role.
“I’m entering free agency July 1 and it’s the time to hear offers,’’ said Kornet, whose father Frank played for the Bucks from 1989-91. “I’m kind of waiting to hear. I’d love to stay in New York but I’ll wait to be able to hear the options. The work I put in last year will determine it. There’s nothing I can do having pre-thoughts about it. I’ll wait and make a decision from there.’’