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Knicks will reportedly add Alec Burks

Free agency tipped off today. Here’s the New York Post with a report that the Knicks are about to add a solid rotation player:

The Knicks’ free-agent foray got off to a slow start, but they made one signing Friday, grabbing swingman Alec Burks on a one-year, $6 million deal, according to a source.

Burks started his career at Utah, where new Knicks assistant GM Walt Perrin drafted him in the first round in 2011. A journeyman, Burks played with the Sixers and Warriors last season but he’s a scorer.

Thunder trade Ricky Rubio to Timberwolves

Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas today announced the team has acquired guard Ricky Rubio and the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels (28th overall) from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for forward James Johnson and the draft rights to Aleksej Pokuševski (17th overall) and Minnesota’s 2024 Second Round Pick.

The Timberwolves are also acquiring the draft rights to Leandro Bolmaro (23rd overall) from the New York Knicks in exchange for the draft rights to Mathias Lessort (50th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft) and the Detroit Pistons’ 2023 Second Round Pick.

“Ricky is a great fit to what we are building here in Minneapolis and we are thrilled to welcome him back to the Timberwolves organization,” said Rosas. “He will be a solid addition to our core in All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell and First Overall Pick Anthony Edwards. Ricky is an elite playmaker and someone who will boost our defense and bring a veteran presence to our team.”

Originally drafted by the Timberwolves with the fifth overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, Rubio played in 353 games over six seasons with Minnesota averaging 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game. He ranks among the top-10 in numerous franchise records including ranking second in total assists (2991), second in total steals (747) and 10th in games played (353). Rubio holds the record for the most assists in a single game in Timberwolves history after dishing out 19 dimes against the Washington Wizards on Mar. 13, 2017. The 6-3 guard played in 65 games for the Phoenix Suns last season, averaging 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, his most since averaging 5.7 rebounds in 2014-15, and 8.8 assists in 31.0 minutes per game.

“Ricky is a needed piece when it comes to being a culture builder, a team-first player and the impact he has on and off the court,” said Timberwolves Head Coach Ryan Saunders. “I’m thrilled to welcome him back to Minneapolis.”

The El Masnou, Spain native began his national team career on Spain’s Under-16 team in 2005, winning a bronze medal at the 2005 FIBA Europe U16 Championships. Rubio was named MVP of the 2006 FIBA Europe U16 Championships after leading Spain to the gold medal where he averaged 22.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 6.5 steals per game during the tournament, including two triple-doubles and a quadruple-double (posted 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and 7 steals in the championship game against Russia). Rubio was named to the Spanish team for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where at age 17 he became the youngest ever to participate in the gold-medal game.

Bolmaro, a 6-6 forward, played his first season with FC Barcelona’s primary team for the 2019-20 season. He appeared in 13 games (two starts) across the club’s ACB and EuroLeague schedule. The Las Varillas, Argentina native averaged 4.4 points and 0.9 steals in 12.9 minutes in seven games in Spain’s top pro league. Bolmaro joined FC Barcelona’s “B” team for the second consecutive season and averaged 14.6 points, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals in 26.8 minutes in nine games in Spain’s third division, LEB Silver. The 20-year-old joined FC Barcelona’s “B” team in 2018-19, averaging 10.4 points in 33 games in Spain’s second division, LEB Gold.

McDaniels, a 6-9 forward joins the Timberwolves after spending one season at the University of Washington where he averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 blocks. He was the only player in any of the major conferences to average at least 1.4 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers made per game in 2019-20. The Federal Way, Washington native is the younger brother of Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels.

Johnson was originally acquired by the Wolves in a three-team deal from the Miami Heat on Feb. 6, averaged 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in 14 games with Minnesota.

Pokuševski (7-0, 195) averaged 10.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals in 22.6 minutes in 11 games with Olympiacos B in the Greek Second Division, HEBA A2 in the 2019-20 season as the team went 17-4 and earned a second-place finish in A2. At the 2019 U18 European Championships, the Serbian native averaged 10.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.7 steals and led with event with 4.0 blocks per game.

Quickley, 6-3, 188-pounds, averaged 10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists, shooting 46.2-percent from the field, including 39.7-percent from three over 67 games (27 starts) at Kentucky. The Havre de Grace, MD-native was named the 2019-20 SEC Player of the Year after helping guide the Wildcats to the SEC regular season championship. During his sophomore season, the 2019-20 All-SEC-First Team selection recorded 16.1 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 42.8-percent from downtown over 33.0 minutes in 30 games (20 starts).

Knicks select Obi Toppin with No. 8 pick in 2020 NBA Draft

The 2020 NBA Draft was Wednesday night, and with their lottery-pick selection, the New York Knicks took Obi Toppin. The New York Post:

Dayton’s 6-foot-9 scoring forward fell to No. 8 on Wednesday night, and Knicks president Leon Rose pounced on the National College Player of the Year, whom he nearly traded up to get…

Toppin’s lone weakness is his fire on the defensive end, and the Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau is a defensive coach.

“I learned a lot about Coach through this pandemic,’’ Toppin said of Thibodeau. “I understand he’s a defensive coach, and that’s one of my biggest things I need to work on. He’s going to make sure that I lock in and make sure that I become great one day. I feel like if I get that defensive scheme down, I’m going to be a really good player one day, a really great player one day.’’ …

The 22-year-old Toppin is a Creative Artists Agency client, and Rose had hoped all along he would fall. Rose used to run CAA, and Toppin has been working out with Rose’s first client, Rick Brunson, in South Jersey. Toppin has been compared to Shawn Marion and Amar’e Stoudemire, for his explosiveness.

And the New York Times:

When Toppin first walked through the doors at Mt. Zion, he stood 6-foot-5, weighed about 185 pounds and had trouble getting the attention of the best A.A.U. teams in his area. Today he is 6-foot-9, weighs 220 pounds and is the holder of the 2020 John R. Wooden Award for college player of the year after he led the Flyers to a 29-2 record last season.

He shoots from long range and midrange, and slashes to the rim, and he is known to electrify audiences with his innovative and acrobatic dunks.

“I don’t rank his dunks,” said Anthony Grant, the head coach at Dayton, “but he will definitely excite a crowd with his explosiveness, variety and showmanship. He’s fun to watch; must-see TV.”

The Knicks are rebuilding, and hope that Toppin will emerge alongside shooting guard R.J. Barrett and forward/center Mitchell Robinson as a key young building block.

Knicks waive Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson, Wayne Ellington and Kenny Wooten

The New York Knicks announced today that the team has waived guards Wayne Ellington and Elfrid Payton, forward Kenny Wooten and center Taj Gibson. The Knicks have also declined to exercise the team options on Theo Pinson and Bobby Portis.

Ellington, 6-5, 207-pounds, originally signed with the Knicks as a free agent on Jul. 8, 2019. The Wynnewood, PA-native appeared in 36 games (one start) for the Knicks, averaging 5.1 points and 1.8 rebounds over 15.5 minutes.

Gibson, 6-10, 232-pounds, originally signed with the Knicks as a free agent on Jul. 8, 2019. The Brooklyn, NY-native averaged 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds over 16.5 minutes in 62 games (56 starts).

Payton, 6-4, 185-pounds, originally signed with the Knicks as a free agent on Jul. 8, 2019. Last season the Gretna, LA-native recorded 10.0 points, 7.2 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.56 steals over 27.7 minutes in 45 games (36 starts).

Pinson, 6-5, 212-pounds, spent last season with the Brooklyn Nets averaging 3.6 points, 1.7 assists and 1.6 rebounds over 11.1 minutes in 33 games. Pinson was claimed off waivers by the Knicks on June 26, 2020.

Portis, 6-11, 255-pounds, originally signed with the Knicks as a free agent on Jul. 8, 2020. The Little Rock, AR-native posted 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists over 21.1 minutes in 66 games (five starts).

Wooten, 6-8, 235-pounds, originally signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Knicks on Sep. 9, 2019 after going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. His contract was converted to a two-way contract on Jan. 14, 2020. The Stockton, CA-native averaged 7.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.56 blocks over 27 games (19 starts) for the Westchester Knicks last season.

Knicks and Jazz trade draft picks, Ante Tomic

The New York Knicks have acquired the 23rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft as well as the draft rights to Ante Tomić from the Utah Jazz in exchange for the 27th and 38th overall selections in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Tomić (7-2, 265-pound center), was originally selected by Utah in the second round (44th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft. He has played his entire professional career overseas, most recently signing with Jovenut (Spain) after playing for FC Barcelona (2012-2020), Real Madrid (2010-12) and Zagreb (2004-10). The 33-year-old, Croatia-native, has won four Spanish Cups (2012, 2013, 2018, 2019) and one Liga ACB title (2014). He was named the Adriatic League MVP in 2009 and is a four-time All-ACB selection and two-time All-Euro League first team selection.

2020 NBA draft prospect Isaac Okoro could be nice fit for Knicks

The 2020 NBA draft is Wednesday evening. Here’s the New York Post with a Knicks note:

Isaac Okoro, the Auburn small-forward defensive specialist, would seem just what Dr. Thibodeau ordered.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is trying to change the franchise’s culture to one that emphasizes winning and defense. And Okoro says that’s all he knows.

Okoro, who has interviewed with Knicks brass ahead of Wednesday’s draft, says he’s tried to tell teams he will “bring in a winning culture.’’ By all accounts, Okoro shapes up as the draft’s best perimeter defender…

The Knicks will select at No. 8 and Okoro remains on the radar with the club potentially passing on a point guard.

The draft will be held virtually this year, over the Internet, based out of ESPN studies in Bristol, Connecticut.

Raptors reportedly ponder using Newark as temporary home for 2020-21 NBA season

A big obstacle facing the world during the coronavirus pandemic is travel. This goes for individual situations, like people working from home instead of having to commute to an office. It also goes for entire team situations in sports, where the less travel, the better.

While the city of Toronto is a pretty quick flight to New York City, Philadelphia, Boston or Washington D.C., a luxury bus ride from, say, Newark, New Jersey is both cheaper and safer. So will the Raptors play in Toronto in 2020-21, or temporarily relocate? Here’s the New York Daily News:

The Raptors have spoken to the operators of the Prudential Center about using their 19,500-seat arena, according to a source. It’s one of a few options for Masai Ujiri’s squad, and a preference for the NBA because of its close proximity to all of Toronto’s division foes.

The Raptors have also discussed playing in Tampa Bay or Nashville or as tenants in another NBA team’s arena, according to a source. Kansas City pitched its T-Mobile Center. Louisville was floated and reportedly shot down. There’s been speculation about the team moving over the border to Buffalo, just like the Toronto Blue Jays during the last MLB season. While some of those destinations offer a warmer climate, none can match the geographical sense of The Rock.

The Raptors playing in Newark sounds like a great idea. Perhaps some other teams might consider a relocation as well. But the Raptors are the most obvious candidate.

Knicks draft and free agency overview

The Knicks are rebuilding. And yes, you’ve heard that one before, but it’s true. They are. As partially evidenced by the mostly short-term contracts they signed players to last offseason and the young age of the roster’s core. And changes to their coaching staff and front office. Here’s the New York Post reviewing their situation this NBA offseason:

Of their 15-man roster, the Knicks have only seven players guaranteed under contract for next season.

Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson, Wayne Ellington, Theo Pinson and Reggie Bullock either have a team option or non-guaranteed deals that have to soon be enforced for next season. Damyean Dotson and Mo Harkless are outright free agents. Only Bullock has a strong chance of returning.

The Knicks will have three draft picks on Nov. 18, including a lottery pick at No. 8. Those rookies will come into camp with no summer-league action and possibly not even more than one preseason game under their belts.

If the Knicks don’t bring back any of the team-option/non-guaranteed guys, they will have $48 million in cap room if the NBA decides to use last year’s number of $109 million because of revenue losses.

With all the uncertainty facing the entire world right now, both in and outside of sports, and the very good chance that free agency is sped up drastically this year, it’s likely that many players with options in their contracts will elect to stick with their current teams. A good guess is that there’s less free agency movement this offseason than usual. Which may make it tougher for rebuilding teams to suddenly make big changes in 2020.

Knicks reportedly open to trading down in 2020 NBA draft

The NBA draft is rarely a sure thing. And even less so when you’re a team in need of serious talent like the Knicks yet whose lottery pick is only the No. 8 selection. Here’s the New York Post on some possibilities:

According to two league sources, the Knicks are seriously mulling trading back in the Nov. 18 draft unless big man James Wiseman or point guard LaMelo Ball fall back to the eighth spot.

It’s become increasingly clear the Knicks’ top priority, Ball, is unlikely to slide. Wiseman, the athletic 7-foot-1 center from Memphis, has seen some mock-draft fluctuations.

However, most NBA draft sources believe it’s improbable Wiseman will make it to No. 8, leaving the Knicks in a quandary.

One source senses the Knicks have Ball and Wiseman as two players they absolutely “love,” and haven’t been as smitten yet with any other prospect in a consensus weak draft.

The Knicks finished this shortened season with a 21-45 record, which was 12th best in the Eastern conference.

On what a Chris Paul trade to the Knicks might look like

Should the Knicks be interested in a legendary point guard who is past his prime and at the tail end of his NBA career? Probably not. But if the team does pursue this deal, here’s what it may look like, per the New York Post:

If Knicks president Leon Rose takes the leap for 35-year-old Chris Paul, he may have to give up on Kevin Knox, according to an NBA source.

The Thunder are motivated to deal Paul and his massive contract after deciding upon a rebuilding campaign following Billy Donovan’s firing. Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti likely will want a first-round pick and a young prospect still on his rookie contract, multiple league officials believe.

According to the source, that young player preferably would be Knox, the ninth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, who is coming off a disappointing sophomore campaign.

The Knicks have a trove of first-round picks to deal (seven first-round picks in the next four drafts). The belief, however, is that they would prefer to keep the 20-year-old Knox in any Paul scenario and offer up either of their 2017 lottery-pick point guards, Frank Ntilikina or Dennis Smith Jr., both of whom will be restricted free agents in 2021.

We don’t see how it makes any sense for the Knicks to pursue CP3 at this time in their rebuild, especially if it means giving up any first round draft picks.