The Knicks’ training camp roster is set.
20 year-old Small Forward Justin Brownlee has accepted New York’s training camp invite. Brownlee played in the D-League last season after playing at St John’s in college. He is very unlikely to make the team, but we’ll see how it plays out.
-Tommy Rothman
In what is a stunning move to say the least, Glen Grunwald has been relieved of his duties as the General Manager as the Knicks. Grunwald, who became the team’s GM after Donnie Walsh resigned in 2011, did a very solid job of building around Carmelo Anthony despite having little cap room to work with. He will remain with the team as an advisor.
Former MSG President Steve Mills will replace Grunwald and become the President and General Manager of the Knicks. Mills is an experienced executive who has worked for both MSG and the League Office.
I am pleased to be able to welcome Steve back to the Knicks. He is a well-respected sports executive with a strong background in basketball, as well as a familiarity with NBA operations and our company. We look forward to his leadership and believe he is the right person to help us reach our ultimate goal of winning an NBA Championship. We are grateful for Glen’s many years of valuable service and pleased that he will remain with the organization.”
— James Dolan
It remains to be seen what Mills will do with the roster, and what this means for the job security of coach Mike Woodson (who was very close with Grunwald).
According to ESPN, Former Knick and current Assistant GM Allan Houston will have a bigger role with the team: “Mills is a top-notch executive with solid connections around the league, but he is not known as a talent evaluator. It’s fair to assume that Houston, a longtime Knicks player with close ties to team owner and MSG chairman James Dolan, will play a bigger role in talent evaluation and personnel decisions.”
I’m not sure if I agree with the move, especially given the timing (training camp is a few days away, and the season starts in a month). I guess we have to wait and see what Mills (and Houston) do with the team.
-Tommy Rothman
Tyson Chandler finally has a backup. The Knicks signed Center Cole Aldrich to a non-guaranteed deal on Tuesday, meaning that they have 19 people in training camp (the max is 20). Aldrich was drafted 11th overall in 2010, but has battled knee problems throughout his career. Aldrich is a good rebounder, a good shot blocker, and a decent scorer. He boasts fantastic per-36 minute stats of 9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game (2, 2.3, and 0.5 in 8 minutes). Aldrich is certainly a nice addition, and will be a good backup for Chandler… if he can stay healthy
-Tommy Rothman
The New York Knicks have invited PF Ikechukwa (Ike) Diogu to training camp, meaning they have 2 spots left. Diogu is a bit undersized for a big man, but his absurdly long arms make up for that. He can’t do much on offense, but he seems athletic and could be a decent option on the roll (a very poor man’s Tyson), and on defense he should be competent. He also can rebound decently, so he should make some noise in the 15th man race. Still, he seems like little more than Jeremy Tyler insurance. Carry on.
-Tommy Rothman
The Knicks have signed PF Josh Powell to a non-guaranteed training camp contract. Powell is strong, athletic, and a good rebounder. Powell last played in the 2010-2011 season as a 28 year-old, averaging 4 points, 2.5 rebounds, in 12.1 minutes per game, which translates to a healthy “per-36” line of 12.3 PPG and 7.5 RPG.
New York has 3 more spaces left on their Training Camp roster, which currently consists of Ray Felton, Pablo Prigioni, Toure Murry, Beno Udrih, Iman Shumpert, J.R Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr, Chris Smith Carmelo Anthony, Metta World Peace, CJ Leslie, Andrea Bargnani, Amar’e Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin, Powell, Tyson Chandler, and Jeremy Tyler.
Felton, Prigioni, Udrih, Shumpert, J.R, Hardaway, Carmelo, Metta, Bargnani, Stoudemire, Martin, and Chandler will definitely be on the roster, leaving Leslie, the injured Tyler, Chris Smith, Powell, Murry, and 3 other yet-to-be determined training camp invitees to compete for the final 3 roster spots on Coach Woodson’s team.
-Tommy Rothman
He certainly has his work cut out for him. -Tommy
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