Tag Archives: knicks rumors

Does Metta Want Back In With Phil In Town?

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Metta World Peace, who played (or rather, rode Coach Woodson’s bench) for the Knicks earlier this season before asking for a buyout and being released, reportedly wants back in now that Phil Jackson is running the team. This story first caught some eyes when Metta told reporters he “absolutely” would NOT have accepted a buyout had he known that Jackson— with whom World Peace won a ring while playing for the Lakers— was coming on board. Today, CBS and the NY Post are reporting that sources close to Metta claim that he “abso-bleeping-lutely” wants another shot with the Knicks next season. Metta knows how to play defense, which means he could fill a need for this team. Jackson has specifically complained on the Knicks’ lack of perimeter defense and proper footwork. With Phil in and Mike Woodson almost certainly on the way out, this could be worth watching.

-Tommy Rothman

 

Phil Jackson, Knicks Finalizing Agreement

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Earlier this week, we reported that Phil Jackson, who won 11 NBA championships as a coach with the Lakers and Bulls and 2 as a player with the Knicks, was leaning towards accepting James Dolan’s offer to become the Knicks’ President of Basketball Operations. Now, reports are leaking that the two sides have agreed in principle to a deal that would make Jackson the highest-paid executive in NBA history, and possibly net The Zen Master a minority ownership stake in the team. The details should become more clear in the coming days, but as things stand, it appears that Dolan has gotten his man.

-Tommy Rothman

REPORT: Phil Jackson Leaning Towards Accepting Offer From Knicks

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ESPN is reporting that legendary coach and former Knick Phil Jackson is leaning towards accepting the position of President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks. Jackson, who won 2 championships as a player with the Knicks and 11 championships as the coach of the Bulls and Lakers, had reportedly met with the Knicks’ front office recently to discuss a return to the game. The Daily News had been reporting that Jackson was uninterested in coaching but willing to consider a front-office role. Jackson had reportedly expressed that his acceptance of the job would be largely conditional on Knicks Owner James Dolan’s willingness to give him major control of basketball decisions, and an assurance that Carmelo Anthony would re-sign with the team this summer. It is not known whether Jackson was given either of these things, and Stephen A. Smith’s reports should always be taken with a grain of salt, but with multiple outlets reporting recently that Jackson was seriously considering a return, it seems very possible that the “Zen Master” will indeed join the Knicks’ Front Office in the near future. 

-Tommy Rothman 

Chris Smith Released From Knicks’ D-League Team

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Chris Smith, who made the Knicks’ opening day roster before being cut in January, has now been released by the Knicks’ D-League affiliate in Erie. Smith, who was quite clearly given a roster spot just because he is J.R. Smith’s brother, was on the roster when capable point guards such as Kendall Marshall and D.J. Augustin were free agents, so his short stint with the Knicks has been a sore spot for many. ESPN is reporting that Smith had some run-ins with the coaching staff in Erie, and Adrian Wojnarowski, one of the most reliable sources in the league, recently reported that Smith had left the team several days ago due to dissatisfaction with his lack of playing time. I’m sure more amusing details will be on the way soon, so let’s stay tuned. -Tommy R

BREAKING: Knicks to Sign Shannon Brown

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Sources are reporting that the Knicks will sign 28 year-old guard Shannon Brown. 

Brown provides perimeter scoring, solid defense, and incredible athleticism. He is an exciting player and a pretty good one, too. The one problem with this signing? Brown is more of a shooting guard than a point guard, and the Knicks biggest need right now is at the point. Still, Brown can handle the ball a bit, and he can certainly guard opposing point guards on the defensive end, which is where New York’s PG’s have been the most lacking so far. Signing somebody like Jimmer Fredette would have been more fun, but this is a nice move.

-Tommy Rothman

BREAKING: Knicks to Sign Earl Clark

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The New York Knicks are finalizing an agreement with Small Forward Earl Clark, sources are reporting.

Clark, the 14th pick in the 2009 NBA draft, has shown that he has potential through his solid performance during limited minutes in his first few seasons. Last year, Clark cracked the Lakers’ starting lineup for part of the season and was quite good. If you look at Clark’s career “Per-36” stats to examine what his numbers would look like if he got a starter’s minutes, he has per-game (36)  averages of 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal. Clark is a decent defender, and his athleticism and versatility ultimately make him a plus on the defensive end.

Clark is only 26 years old, so, while the Knicks will not have his Bird Rights at the end of the season, it seems like a smart move to give him a look down the stretch and see what he can bring to the table. If this move works out, the Knicks could try to take the steps necessary to lock him up for a few more years at season’s end.

-Tommy Rothman