Zach Lowe with some strange NYK speculation:
Utah trades Dante Exum and Tony Bradley for (maybe) Marcus Morris
I like this trade for both teams, even if both would likely say "no" now. It's an all-in move for Utah -- their means of nabbing another backup power forward and someone with a track record of jostling with the big wings in Los Angeles. New York gets a high-lottery talent who just turned 24.
Yeah, the Knicks have three point guards. So what? Exum has been at least as much wing as point guard for a while now.
Barring a surprise twist -- i.e., a trade involving Ingles or Bojan Bogdanovic -- this Exum/small salary package is Utah's only realistic means of upgrading the frontcourt. Unless Exum finally pops, I'd expect it to be in play.
Gad, we just went through one erratic Utah training-wheel PG. Now we're back for seconds? We couldn't get something better for mercenary Morris to help a playoff contender?
I guess 3 PG's isn't enough.
Realyl the Knix probably have led the league in rostered PG's, and starting PG's the past five years. Time to stop the crowded carousel.
Trey has been playing well for Philly, and Emmanuel for Utah, so, there is life after Knicks.
The "TRADE" is something I would anticipate from some sorry blogger, not a beat guy.
Point guards? Like the Knicks don't have enough GUARDS, period.
Trier surely made a case for sixth man status last night, as he can create one on one off the dribble.
Ellington has played with energy and purpose, and some D, but in the pre-season, has rarely received the ball in rhythm with ball movement around the horn, feet set, in rhythm, where he can do the most damage. Not so much a create his own shot kind of sniper, like Reddick demonstrated frequently last night.
Good to see Dotson nail his first trey.
RJ has played better and better in each game, seemingly more comfortable both inside and outside...motherfucker just makes plays, makes things happen.
And yeah, 19-year olds don't get tired, but they do tweak their knees (Zion), and there are so many players who could benefit from and benefit for the Knicks with floor time. Maybe 30 minutes a night for RJ, eh, Coach?
Portis and Mitchell showing some nice progress, and Randle demonstrating a good all-around game (willing and effective passer), but have to wonder why we are not rebounding more effectively.
Also, Randle is a genuine threat from trey, and was lighting it up there for a hot minute, the last miss, notwithstanding.
But is it just me...at crunch time, must every play out of a time out be a trey?
Anyway, we kept scrapping, didn't give up, and showed defensive intensity and purpose, if not always acumen. As someone pointed out, we are getting kerfuffled on pick and rolls, and as a result, find ourselves scrambling to cover the corner and wing kick outs. A problem, along with rebounding and consistent/non-stickyball movement, we must address over the next two months, or there is going to be a rain of threes pouring out of the night sky.
PS: Was it Berman, 'natch, who ran some article about how Barrett got no votes for potential top rookies. Clearly our first two picks would've been Williamson and Morant, but at #3, in lieu of sign and trades? Who else? Darius Garland? Sure, and Knicks gave him a long second look. DeAndre Hunter? Excellent 3&D with an NBA-ready outside shot. Both players with serious up side. S&T? Hachimura, Reddish, Coby White? Impressive talents. But while RJ's long range jumper and FT shooting are works in progress, I like what Wally said about him last night, how THE GAME IS SLOWING DOWN for RJ. One of the reasons Fizz is so enamored of him, and can't seem to keep him off the floor, is because he makes good things happen, with or without the ball, on both ends of the court, and he is already PLAYING LIKE A LEADER. Of course he is still a puppy, and will have plenty of speed bumps, but he said he was ready for the challenge of NY, and so far, the motherfucker seems up to it.
PPS: RJ is a personable, intelligent and exceptionally handsome young man, but has anyone noticed the interesting contours of his cranium when viewed in profile.
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