Knicks · Interesting tid bits from Berman on the remaining spots, last years guys etc. (page 1)

Grateful Shved?

According to an NBA source, the Knicks are contemplating offering productive Russian combo guard Alexey Shved their $2.8 million room exception given to under-the-cap teams that have reached the cap benchmark.

Shved, appreciative the Knicks gave him a chance after a couple of rocky, unfulfilled seasons with Minnesota, Philadelphia and Houston, would probably accept it.

But he’s just one candidate. The Knicks are still shopping what is left of their money to spend this offseason — sans the minimum contracts they can offer. They have had talks with 35-year-old shooting guard Caron Butler, who played last season with Milwaukee, and veteran shooting guard Willie Green, 33, who played for Orlando last season.

According to the source, Shved has two other NBA teams interested as well a handful of European offers. Shved, 26, told The Post after last season he hoped to return to New York after grasping team president Phil Jackson’s triangle offense before suffering a broken rib in late March, ending his season.

With an ability to drive the ball, draw fouls and shoot from deep, the 6-foot-6 Russian averaged 14.8 points in 16 games and impressed Jackson immensely after he traded for him at February’s deadline, giving up Pablo Prigioni and a trade exception. The Rockets dealt the former Timberwolves draft pick because they feared he was headed back to Europe.

Ricky Ledo
Photo: NBAE via Getty Images

Of the spots left, four could get filled by grinders from last season’s 17-65 squad and, no, Andrea Bargnani is not in the picture. Jackson had said he didn’t want to bring in “nine new players’’ and maintain some semblance of chemistry.

Ricky Ledo, the 22-year-old 6-7 shooting guard, will be on the Knicks’ summer league team that debuts Saturday and has a small guarantee for next season. Jackson envisions Ledo being able to play some backup small forward in a pinch. Ledo played 12 games down the stretch after being waived by Dallas and showed he can shoot from outside and drive to the hole. He wasn’t in the best shape, needs to improve defensively and take better care of the basketball. He has been working out with Knicks coaches for most of the last 2 ¹/₂ months.

Jackson wanted to re-sign center Jason Smith, but he is expected to have offers greater than what’s left for the Knicks to give him — a starting wage of $2.8 million. It’s too bad because Smith told brass he wanted to come back, believing the system fit him perfectly because of his mid-range jumper.

Also from last season’s roster, defensive forward Lance Thomas and gritty center Lou Amundson have interest in returning, but only the veteran’s minimum is available. Last March general manager Steve Mills said he would like to have both high-character guys back in the locker room

TPercy wrote:Pil should just give Shved half of the room excpetion. No other decent SG/SF is going to come here, just get it done.

I think he'd give him the FULL Room Exception. It's only $2.8 mil. You have to make it worth his consideration given that he could make more somewhere else, like Europe. I think Shved should be brought back. It's a perfect fit for both parties.

nixluva wrote:

TPercy wrote:Pil should just give Shved half of the room excpetion. No other decent SG/SF is going to come here, just get it done.

I think he'd give him the FULL Room Exception. It's only $2.8 mil. You have to make it worth his consideration given that he could make more somewhere else, like Europe. I think Shved should be brought back. It's a perfect fit for both parties.

TPercy wrote:No Jason Smith? No Bargs? YESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Bargnani hate is unrealistic. When he wasn't injured he held up his end of the bargain. He definitely came around during the latter part of the season.

Ledo played 12 games down the stretch after being waived by Dallas and showed he can shoot from outside and drive to the hole. He wasn’t in the best shape, needs to improve defensively and take better care of the basketball. He has been working out with Knicks coaches for most of the last 2 ¹/₂ months.

This caught my eye.

Will be interesting to see how he performs in SL.

WaltLongmire wrote:

Ledo played 12 games down the stretch after being waived by Dallas and showed he can shoot from outside and drive to the hole. He wasn’t in the best shape, needs to improve defensively and take better care of the basketball. He has been working out with Knicks coaches for most of the last 2 ¹/₂ months.

This caught my eye.

Will be interesting to see how he performs in SL.

CrushAlot wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

Ledo played 12 games down the stretch after being waived by Dallas and showed he can shoot from outside and drive to the hole. He wasn’t in the best shape, needs to improve defensively and take better care of the basketball. He has been working out with Knicks coaches for most of the last 2 ¹/₂ months.

This caught my eye.

Will be interesting to see how he performs in SL.

I thought that was interesting. There was a youtube video out about a month ago where he was working out with MCW. I think he and MCW are pretty close.

Ledo's got some talent. He was not ready last year after being ignored and not developed by the Mavs. I think he's taking this opportunity seriously. His game fits this system very well and there's a need for more scoring and a player that can create his own offense, pass and get to the basket as well as catch and shoot. I'm really pulling for this kid.

Sangfroid wrote:

TPercy wrote:No Jason Smith? No Bargs? YESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Bargnani hate is unrealistic. When he wasn't injured he held up his end of the bargain. He definitely came around during the latter part of the season.

The last time Berman or his sources were right about anything was when he was covering tennis. Smug little man which no none likes. He is trying to make it seem as its Phil's choice about Smith or Bags. Fact is he knows they will get higher offers from other teams. Hope Shved takes the 2.8m but with all these other role/bench players getting such large contracts, think he is going to get better offers. And I don't think anyone is going to take less money to play with us. It is funny how the hate keeps people from seeing that some of the guys from last year played well at the end. Yet talk big about guys like Quinn and Lopez. Grass is always greener.

that line made me want to puke

mreinman wrote:Jackson wanted to re-sign center Jason Smith, but he is expected to have offers greater than what’s left for the Knicks to give him — a starting wage of $2.8 million. It’s too bad because Smith told brass he wanted to come back, believing the system fit him perfectly because of his mid-range jumper.

that line made me want to puke

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:Jackson wanted to re-sign center Jason Smith, but he is expected to have offers greater than what’s left for the Knicks to give him — a starting wage of $2.8 million. It’s too bad because Smith told brass he wanted to come back, believing the system fit him perfectly because of his mid-range jumper.

that line made me want to puke

I think he loved being a Knick. But I don't think he signs for the vet mini and I think Shved might be the better signing.

My issue was that I hate that stupid shot and its our shining piece of this archaic offense.

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:Jackson wanted to re-sign center Jason Smith, but he is expected to have offers greater than what’s left for the Knicks to give him — a starting wage of $2.8 million. It’s too bad because Smith told brass he wanted to come back, believing the system fit him perfectly because of his mid-range jumper.

that line made me want to puke

I think he loved being a Knick. But I don't think he signs for the vet mini and I think Shved might be the better signing.

Alex should be an absolute priority.

Finestrg wrote:If it comes down to Shved vs. a 35-year-old Caron Butler or 33-year-old Willie Green, come on now...Shved easily over those 2. No brainer... Interested to see Daniel Hackett play in SL--that could be Shved's biggest competition.

The only reason they go with Caron is for the locker room presence / leadership, but I think that is putting the cart before the horse. Go with the young talent upgrade.