PAIN IN THE TRIER
Undrafted guard rubbed vets wrong way, something free agent Durant may help with
If Kevin Durant becomes a Knick, rookie guard Allonzo Trier will have at least one teammate who will like him.
Trier admitted last week he’s “absolutely’’ hoping the Knicks can land his mentor from Oklahoma City, where the Arizona product attended two years of high school.
However, according to multiple sources connected to the Knicks, Trier’s lack of popularity among his veteran teammates was something of a concern in the locker room. Maybe Durant can help him if he comes.
While Trier got along swimmingly with fellow rookies Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson, some vets felt Trier’s one-on-one style didn’t help the team’s culture during its leagueworst 17-65 season.
Trier’s self-proclaimed nickname is “IsoZo” and Knicks coach David Fizdale levied praise on him as a bright spot, lauding his work ethic and overachievement as an undrafted player. Trier turned a two-way GLeague contract into a spot on the 15-man roster in December. But there were warts. “His play on the court was cancerous,” one NBA source said. “A lot of guys didn’t like the way he didn’t play team ball. He cared about himself too much. He looked guys off who were open.’’
During a Nov. 27 game in Detroit, Trier brought the ball up the court with Trey Burke all alone ahead. Trier didn’t throw it ahead for the easy layup. Instead, Trier barreled toward the basket.
While he drew a foul, players on the bench yelled at Trier, scolded him for not feeding Burke, who held his palms up, shaking his head after the whistle.
The more publicized incident occurred Jan. 23, when Tim Hardaway Jr. chewed out Trier on the court after Trier failed to pass to him on a two-on-one fast break with Hardaway open on the left.
Another NBA source familiar with the situation said when players would choose sides for pickup games before or after practice, he often was one of the last chosen. The Knicks players wanted to play with guys who passed to the open man.
Both Hardaway and Burke were shipped to Dallas days after that oncourt incident, part of the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster. The trade opened up two max-salary slots, allowing the potential of Durant bringing along a star sidekick.
“I don’t have to watch social media,’’ Trier said last week when asked how he will follow July’s fireworks. “I’ll speak to him directly. Whatever he decides to do, it’s on him.”
The possibility is music to Trier’s ears. Durant used to attend some of his high school games in Oklahoma. While Trier chatted with two reporters recently, a Knicks public relations official warned Trier about tampering.
“I really don’t bother him [during the season],’’ Trier said. “If he wants to congratulate me on [me] playing well, [he’ll text,] ‘Keep it up.’ When we talk he says if I ever need advice, I should talk to him. He’s grown. I’m not a young man [any more,] I don’t want to be a burden. He’s a good family friend to have. He’s like a brother to me.”