Thibodeau would like quiet trade deadline
NEW YORK — With the trade deadline approaching and the Knicks exceeding expectations, coach Tom Thibodeau indicated team President Leon Rose would have to be blown away by a deal to disrupt the status quo.
“We love our team,” Thibodeau told reporters after the Knicks toppled the Magic on Tuesday.
“If something were to happen, it would have to be something he felt very strong about that would improve the club. But we know we have a really good roster that we like. We know that we have a lot of good young players that will get better as time goes on.”
There are small deals that wouldn’t necessarily alter the on-court rotations and chemistry, such as unloading DNP regulars Cam Reddish, Evan Fournier and/or Derrick Rose. But the bigger trades potentially available to the Knicks — whether it’s acquiring OG Anunoby from the Raptors, Malik Beasley from the Jazz, Josh Hart from the Blazers or something else worthy of unloading future draft picks — would certainly change the rotation.
As it stands with Mitchell Robinson injured, the Knicks have six or seven players logging heavy minutes, depending on how their center position shakes out on a nightly basis. That rotation — which includes Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, Jericho Sims and/or Isaiah Hartenstein — has gone 5-3 during one of the most difficult stretches of the schedule, with victories against the Cavs, Celtics, Heat and Sixers.
The Knicks (30-26) are just percentage points behind the Heat for the sixth playoff spot in the East.
Would changing that rotation without adding a star be worth it? Or, is it just change for the sake of change?
The Nets are reportedly more open to dealing Kevin Durant, but it’s impossible to imagine them dealing the former MVP to the crosstown rival.
“I love our team,” Thibodeau said. “That’s Leon’s job to listen to people, to talk, to see what’s going on in the league. He and the staff are always thinking about the possibilities and how he can improve the team.
That’s his job. He’s responsible for that.”
Sims in slam dunk contest:
Jericho Sims, the high-flying Knicks center, accepted a late invitation into the NBA All-star Slam Dunk competition following Tuesday’s game in Orlando, a source told the Daily News. The opportunity arose because one of the other four original competitors —Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe — withdrew to reportedly “concentrate on the rest of the season.”
Sims, who was endorsed for the contest by Ja Morant, was previously considered for a spot, but, according to sources, the league was first waiting to hear from Knicks forward Obi Toppin, who was waffling back and forth on whether he’d defend his 2022 title.