Kuz worried he could be odd man out when Noah returns KNICKS NOTES
Mindaugas Kuzminskas says he’ll have “a sleepless’’ night as he awaits the Knicks’ decision on who goes or stays.
If the Knicks can’t make a trade, say getting a late first-rounder for backup center Kyle O’Quinn, the two likely candidates to be waived Sunday to make room for Joakim Noah’s return from drug suspension is either banished point guard Ramon Sessions or the exiled Kuzminskas.
Kuzminskas is a Phil Jackson signee who didn’t dress for a single game until Wednesday in Orlando and got two minutes of garbage time. He was inactive again Saturday for the Knicks’ 118-91 win over the Kings.
Kuzminskas, 28, clearly is having a hard time with not seeing the floor after a promising rookie year.
“Last few weeks, there’s a lot of rumors and I don’t control it,’’ Kuzminskas said before the Knicks beat the Kings 118-91 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. “We’ll see what happens [Sunday]. Decisions will be made — trade, waived.
“The next three years are going to be the best of my career,’’ Kuzminskas added. “I never felt so good physically or mentally. If it’s pos- sible to play here, I’d be more than happy. To play here and win here is a special feeling. If it’s a situation I play here, of course I like to stay. If not, I just want to play. We’ll see what the club’s strategy is.’’
Kuzminskas and Sessions are each in the final year of their deals. The 3-point specialist who starred in the European Championships for Lithuania is in the last of his two-year deal, paying him $3.8 million. Sessions signed just a oneyear deal for the veteran’s minimum of $2.1 million.
An outside candidate to be removed is Michael Beasley, who has yet to shine, outplayed by Doug McDermott. He’s also on a one-year vet- eran’s minimum deal.
When the Knicks headed into the regular season, the plan, according to sources, was to waive veteran guard Jarrett Jack to open up the roster spot in November after Sessions began as starter.
The landscape has changed dramatically as Jack became a savior at the point after the 0-3 start.
Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek alluded to the possibility of alleviating their center glut — which would mean the dependable O’Quinn could be moved for the right price. That would give young buildingblock center Willy Hernangomez a chance to play.
On the flip side, cutting Sessions would open the door for combo guard Ron Baker, who has been mentioned as part of the young core after a promising rookie season, but hasn’t played since the season’s third game. Keeping Sessions would be insurance for Jack’s bad knees and having another mentor for rookie Frank Ntilikina.
Baker and rookie shooting guard Damyean Dotson put up nice numbers in their first game with the G-League Westchester Knicks on Friday. Baker scored 14 points and notched five steals while Dotson collected eight points, 12 rebounds and three steals. Knicks two-way player, center Isa- iah Hicks, was the best of them all with 35 points. Hicks is allowed on the main roster for 45 days under the new two-way rules.
Kristaps Porzingis said on WFAN that Ntilikina is as brash as the Latvian was as a rookie.
“He’s doing well,’’ Porzingis said. “He’s learning a lot. He’s not afraid. That’s what I love about him. His first couple of games, he came back from injury not as confident. He’s getting a feel for the game. He’s playing more in big moments. He wasn’t afraid to take that last shot [vs. the Pacers]. Going forward, he’ll put up even better numbers and keep playing that defense.’’