Tag Archives: Knicks news

Flight Cancelled: Knicks to Let Go of James White

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White missed this ambitious dunk in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, as well as most of the shots he took during games. He will not be a Knick next season

The Knicks declined James White’s option on Saturday, according to sources. This means that the 30 year old guard will not be back with the team next season. White was signed for his defense and his explosive leaping ability, but struggled to produce and was a major disappointment in the dunk contest. White became a fan favorite in some ways due to his Youtube legacy and his interaction with fans (and haters) online (including yours truly), but did not bring much to the team from a basketball standpoint, which is why he will not be back next season. White will draw interest from a couple teams, but will likely sign with a team in China or Europe, where he can make more money and have a bigger role. -Tommy Rothman

CHRIS COPELAND OPEN TO REJECTING LUCRATIVE OFFERS FOR KNICKS RETURN (Via RealGM)

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Via RealGM

 

Just last year, Chris Copeland rejected substantial proposals from clubs to fulfill his desire to play in the NBA. After a breakout season with the New York Knicks, Copeland knows he’ll once again have to pass up larger offers for his hope: a return to the Knicks.

European powerhouse FC Barcelona has elevated its pursuit of Copeland and wants to start negotiations on a lucrative contract for the 6-foot-8 forward, league sources told RealGM. Copeland will listen to all potential suitors, but still, he’s made clear his willingness to return to the Knicks even if they aren’t able to match his most pricey offer.

“Returning is very much an option,” Copeland’s agent, John Spencer, told RealGM. “He turned down several options to play, turned down enormous money to get an NBA opportunity last year. He wants to play and wants to contribute. The Knicks are a good organization, with Mike Woodson and the list goes on.

“There’s a chance another team will potentially pick him up, obviously, but the Knicks gave Chris the opportunity to play and he’s loyal because of that.”

Copeland, 29, had scoring outbursts throughout the Knicks’ season, dropping seven 20-point performances including pouring in 55 points over the final two games of the regular season. When given increased minutes in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Copeland averaged 6.2 points on 55 percent three-point shooting.

Several NBA teams are expected to chase Copeland in free agency, but he told reporters at season’s end he only envisions himself as a Knick. To remain with the Knicks, Copeland, a restricted free agent, would have to accept the mini mid-level exception as the most the franchise can offer.

BREAKING: Knicks Select Tim Hardaway Jr.

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The Knicks select Tim Hardaway Jr. out of Michigan with the 24th pick. 

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Which Knicks Will Be Back This Season?

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By Tommy Rothman

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The Knicks head into the offseason with only 8 players under contract (not counting the recently retired Jason Kidd). Who will be back? Who will not? We go through every player on the roster.

Under contract

These players will be on the team unless they retire, are traded, or are released. 

Carmelo Anthony: Obviously not going anywhere.

Chances he is on roster: 100%

Mike Woodson: No way he gets fired before the season starts

Chances: 100%

Amar’e Stoudemire: We couldn’t get rid of him even if we wanted to.

Chances: 99%

Iman Shumpert: The team views him as a future star, would only trade him for a current one.

Chances: 95%

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Tyson Chandler: Good player, important to team. Trade value is a bit low, and contract is hard to trade, anyway. Would only be moved in a package for a star.

Chances: 90%

Raymond Felton: Good point guard, good contract. No reason to trade him, barring a surprise package for a big-time player.

Chances: 85%

Marcus Camby: We would probably love to get rid of his contract. But we probably can’t.

Chances: 85%

Steve Novak: Same contract problem as Camby, albeit probably a more useful player. But other teams could take interest as well.

Chances: 80%

James White: Could be a useful trade chip. His unguaranteed $1 million salary makes him an option for a team looking to save that amount of money (and cap space). Not very useful beyond that.

Chances: 40%

Jason Kidd: Already gone, released from his 3-year contract

Chances: 0%

Restricted Free Agents

These players are free agents. However, the Knicks can bring them back by matching any offer the RFA signs with another team, salary cap permitting. The Knicks are over the cap and do not have Bird Rights for either of their two RFA’s, so to match an offer greater than $1 million, the Knicks would have to dip into their $3.1 Midlevel Exception. To keep both of their RFA’s (or even just the second one on this list), it will likely cost them the entirety of their MLE.

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Pablo Prigioni: Knicks can probably only give him $1 million. Might be worth more, but likes New York, and has defined role here. Team may elect to take another point guard in the draft, which could mean the end of Pablo.

Chances: 50%

Chris Copeland: Worth more than Qualifying Offer of $1 million. Knicks can give him up to $3 million using their Midlevel Exception, which would probably prevent them from signing other Free Agents for more than the minimum. He wants  to stay, and it sounds like they want him back. Will probably receive bigger offers elsewhere, and probably more minutes. He reportedly turned down bigger offers last year to come to New York, and will need to do the same again.

Chances: 50%

Unrestricted Free Agents

These players are free agents and can sign with any team. The Knicks do not own the Bird Rights for any of these players, and they are over the cap. Therefore, they can only offer the minimum to Barron and Richardson. Martin will be offered the minimum, and probably a slight raise (around 20%) if they are allowed to use a Non-Bird Exception on him. Smith will be offered the Early-Bird Exception, assuming the Knicks want him back.

J.R Smith: Has clearly stated his desire to remain in New York. If the Knicks want to commit to him, they can give him around 6 million per year. Other teams might give him a bit more, but his unpredictability on and off the court probably keeps him in our price range. If we want him back, he should be back.

Chances: 80%

Kenyon Martin: Eligible for Vet’s minimum. Held out last year for a bigger contract. Didn’t work. He loves New York, will probably take offer of VM.

Chances: 70%

Earl Barron: Actually can be a useful big man, should be cheap. They should keep him. Not sure if they will.

Chances: 50%

Quentin Richardson: Can’t see the organization bringing him back. Not much upside.

Chances: 10%

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Draft Pick

Whoever we draft will be on the team unless we trade them.

Chances: 90%

Who should the Knicks bring back? Who should be sent packing? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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Copeland Gets Qualifying Offer, But May Be On His Way Out

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The Knicks extended a Qualifying offer to Chris Copeland on Tuesday, making him a Restricted Free Agent. The offer is worth roughly $1 million, and Copeland has until July 23 to accept. The QO is mostly a formality, as Copeland is worth more than $1 million. The Knicks can match any offer up to roughly $3.1 million for the first year. Cope demonstrated a natural ability to score the ball that will certainly draw the interest of many teams. It has been reported that Cope is looking for “Steve Novak Money”, which is a reference to the 4 year, $16 million dollar contract the Knicks gave Novak last summer. It is also being reported that the Pacers are interested in Cope, and that the Pelicans (formerly known as the Hornets) are prepared to make Copeland an offer that the Knicks can’t match. If Cope follows the money, which is something he has every right to do as a 29 year old who has made very little money so far, he will probably end up elsewhere next season. Copeland has shown a desire to be a Knick, and the Knicks would like to keep him, so hopefully, Copeland will remain with the team next season. But with more money out there for him, and probably more playing time, it is no guarantee that Cope will be playing his home games at MSG next season. -Tommy Rothman

 

 

 

BREAKING: Nets to hire Jason Kidd

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Jason Kidd will become the next head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Reporters from Yahoo, ESPN, and CBS are reporting on Twitter than the Nets have agreed to hire Kidd after meeting with their final candidate, Brian Shaw, for four hours. Kidd announced his retirement last week after a 19 year career with the Mavericks, Suns, Nets, and Knicks. A three year deal between Kidd and the Nets will be finalized shortly.

Time will tell if the Nets made the right move by hiring a rookie coach despite being in win-now mode. With other established coaches such as George Karl and Lionel Hollins on the market, Brooklyn’s choice is certainly a questionable one. Kidd was one of the smartest players to ever play the game of basketball, but was plagued by off-court mistakes throughout his storied career.

-Tommy Rothman