Knicks · Knicks “Youth Movement” (page 1)

I’m disappointed the Knicks didn’t land a legit player (so close to Proctor), but realistically the Knicks already have Kolek, Dadiet, Hukporti, and possibly Nnaji and McCullar all as 1st and 2nd year players possibly making the roster. In addition to the top 7 already under contract, that leaves the Knicks with potentially 12 roster spots set and space for 2-3 vets. Maybe the Knicks keep McCullar on a 2-way contract for now, but either way, they are filling out the remaining spots via taxpayer MLE and/or vet minimums, baring trades.

The Knicks go into next year with their own 1st round pick, plus multiple 2nds, and the Washington pick, which will either be a top 10 pick or a high 2nd rounder in both 2026 and 2027. The 31st and 32nd picks this year both brought back 4 future 2nd round picks. So either way this is a great asset. This simply adds up to being a gap year in the draft, after drafting 4 players last year and likely being busy next year. I’m intrigued by Nnaji who was the 30th pick in the draft only 2 years ago, and is probably considered this year’s rookie prospect for the team. Knicks have a good group of young guys even without doing anything in the draft this year. Next stop Summer League.

We have too many youngins already. Just need to develop them. We are prime. Just need a coach that can develop and compete at the same time. I still think JVG is the way to go.

Lots of good players added to rosters over the draft. Veterans will shake loose from teams for the Knicks as a result

Our SL team (and Westchester Knicks) is about to be stacked!

Kolek
McCullar
Pacome
Dia
Huk

Nnaji
Beauchamp
Watson
Dink

…I think some will be traded prior to the season though.

Knixkik wrote:I’m disappointed the Knicks didn’t land a legit player (so close to Proctor), but realistically the Knicks already have Kolek, Dadiet, Hukporti, and possibly Nnaji and McCullar all as 1st and 2nd year players possibly making the roster. In addition to the top 7 already under contract, that leaves the Knicks with potentially 12 roster spots set and space for 2-3 vets. Maybe the Knicks keep McCullar on a 2-way contract for now, but either way, they are filling out the remaining spots via taxpayer MLE and/or vet minimums, baring trades.

The Knicks go into next year with their own 1st round pick, plus multiple 2nds, and the Washington pick, which will either be a top 10 pick or a high 2nd rounder in both 2026 and 2027. The 31st and 32nd picks this year both brought back 4 future 2nd round picks. So either way this is a great asset. This simply adds up to being a gap year in the draft, after drafting 4 players last year and likely being busy next year. I’m intrigued by Nnaji who was the 30th pick in the draft only 2 years ago, and is probably considered this year’s rookie prospect for the team. Knicks have a good group of young guys even without doing anything in the draft this year. Next stop Summer League.

Was hoping for Proctor at the point he was swiped right before our pick.

NYKBocker wrote:We have too many youngins already. Just need to develop them. We are prime. Just need a coach that can develop and compete at the same time. I still think JVG is the way to go.

I think Van Grundy has been black balled for ever for the way he quit and relationship with Doalan.

We could get some good minutes from likes of Huck, Kolek, McCullar or Pacome but this years coming down to CORE and the 2 or 3 vets we can add.

Think the new aprons are pushing more guys down into vet level deals - good for Knicks.

Tax MLE has only been used 2X in something like last 5-10 years and only by 1 team (Nuggets) and both of those deals went bad quickly.

R Jackson signed for 2 years and Nuggets had to add draft comp to dump his MLE deal.
D Saric also gave Nuggets zilch last year and they have his deal,on books now (I think).

Teams just have’s been using the MLE and a guy like Katz said he gives small,odds they use it this year - thinks they will have vet min options where they don’t need to go 2 years and commit and also avoid cap at 2nd apron.

LivingLegend wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:We have too many youngins already. Just need to develop them. We are prime. Just need a coach that can develop and compete at the same time. I still think JVG is the way to go.

I think Van Grundy has been black balled for ever for the way he quit and relationship with Doalan.

We could get some good minutes from likes of Huck, Kolek, McCullar or Pacome but this years coming down to CORE and the 2 or 3 vets we can add.

Think the new aprons are pushing more guys down into vet level deals - good for Knicks.

Tax MLE has only been used 2X in something like last 5-10 years and only by 1 team (Nuggets) and both of those deals went bad quickly.

R Jackson signed for 2 years and Nuggets had to add draft comp to dump his MLE deal.
D Saric also gave Nuggets zilch last year and they have his deal,on books now (I think).

Teams just have’s been using the MLE and a guy like Katz said he gives small,odds they use it this year - thinks they will have vet min options where they don’t need to go 2 years and commit and also avoid cap at 2nd apron.

I like the idea of a Coach on Pop's coaching tree (and his staff) working with the yoots. Warming up to Borrego.

PassTheBall wrote:Our SL team (and Westchester Knicks) is about to be stacked!

Kolek
McCullar
Pacome
Dia
Huk

Nnaji
Beauchamp
Watson
Dink

…I think some will be traded prior to the season though.

Who is Watson - not ringing a bell for me?

Older guys like J Butler, Z Smith and also Maxwell Lewis on the street and could be decent adds for summer league.

GustavBahler wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:We have too many youngins already. Just need to develop them. We are prime. Just need a coach that can develop and compete at the same time. I still think JVG is the way to go.

I think Van Grundy has been black balled for ever for the way he quit and relationship with Doalan.

We could get some good minutes from likes of Huck, Kolek, McCullar or Pacome but this years coming down to CORE and the 2 or 3 vets we can add.

Think the new aprons are pushing more guys down into vet level deals - good for Knicks.

Tax MLE has only been used 2X in something like last 5-10 years and only by 1 team (Nuggets) and both of those deals went bad quickly.

R Jackson signed for 2 years and Nuggets had to add draft comp to dump his MLE deal.
D Saric also gave Nuggets zilch last year and they have his deal,on books now (I think).

Teams just have’s been using the MLE and a guy like Katz said he gives small,odds they use it this year - thinks they will have vet min options where they don’t need to go 2 years and commit and also avoid cap at 2nd apron.

I like the idea of a Coach on Pop's coaching tree, and his staff, working with the yoots. Warming up to Borrego.

He could be sneaky hire —- at least offensively.

I think this particular group needs someone who is going to click with them emotionally and get them to play TOGETHER on BOTH ends of court.

That is my worry with offensive coach (Borrego?) — where I think Jenkins/Brown can squeeze good D out of this squad.

Alpha1971 wrote:Lots of good players added to rosters over the draft. Veterans will shake loose from teams for the Knicks as a result

Good point.

LivingLegend wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:We have too many youngins already. Just need to develop them. We are prime. Just need a coach that can develop and compete at the same time. I still think JVG is the way to go.

I think Van Grundy has been black balled for ever for the way he quit and relationship with Doalan.

We could get some good minutes from likes of Huck, Kolek, McCullar or Pacome but this years coming down to CORE and the 2 or 3 vets we can add.

Think the new aprons are pushing more guys down into vet level deals - good for Knicks.

Tax MLE has only been used 2X in something like last 5-10 years and only by 1 team (Nuggets) and both of those deals went bad quickly.

R Jackson signed for 2 years and Nuggets had to add draft comp to dump his MLE deal.
D Saric also gave Nuggets zilch last year and they have his deal,on books now (I think).

Teams just have’s been using the MLE and a guy like Katz said he gives small,odds they use it this year - thinks they will have vet min options where they don’t need to go 2 years and commit and also avoid cap at 2nd apron.

I like the idea of a Coach on Pop's coaching tree, and his staff, working with the yoots. Warming up to Borrego.

He could be sneaky hire —- at least offensively.

I think this particular group needs someone who is going to click with them emotionally and get them to play TOGETHER on BOTH ends of court.

That is my worry with offensive coach (Borrego?) — where I think Jenkins/Brown can squeeze good D out of this squad.

Thats where JVG would be a great hire for assistant coach.

Dolan has some qualities I dont admire, but he's shown repeatedly that he's willing to forgive and forget.

JVG burnt out his last time he was here..big time. Unfortunately that can happen at any time. If JVG thought his mental health was at risk, then it was the right thing to do.

He was a workaholic like Thibs, who probably needs a vacation himself lol.

Been saying this since we hired Thibs.

PLAY THE YOOTS

Said it so much it made BRIGGS leave.

And finally Leon speaks on the hiring Mike Brown. And what do you know. 5 yrs later he fires Thibs for……………wait for it………

NOT PLAYING THE YOOTS

For those who want to say he played the YOOTS, stop it right now. I’m not going back and forth with anybody who believe this. Yes IQ ok. But Grimes and Deuce played due to injuries. We all watched the same 82 games during Thibs tenor. I’m not hear to go back and forth with Thibs lovers or anyone else who disagree.

BUT, I want to finally see a new coach, Brown just meet Leon’s expectations to……………wait for it:

PLAY DA YOOTZ

Granted they look like HOT GARBAGE right now, but it’s their 1st summer league game. At least we know nobody will offer these bums any offers. Which keeps the farm deep.

2026 KNICKS CHAMPIONSHIP

Which reminds me, where is BRIGGS?

Knixkik wrote:I’m disappointed the Knicks didn’t land a legit player (so close to Proctor), but realistically the Knicks already have Kolek, Dadiet, Hukporti, and possibly Nnaji and McCullar all as 1st and 2nd year players possibly making the roster. In addition to the top 7 already under contract, that leaves the Knicks with potentially 12 roster spots set and space for 2-3 vets. Maybe the Knicks keep McCullar on a 2-way contract for now, but either way, they are filling out the remaining spots via taxpayer MLE and/or vet minimums, baring trades.

The Knicks go into next year with their own 1st round pick, plus multiple 2nds, and the Washington pick, which will either be a top 10 pick or a high 2nd rounder in both 2026 and 2027. The 31st and 32nd picks this year both brought back 4 future 2nd round picks. So either way this is a great asset. This simply adds up to being a gap year in the draft, after drafting 4 players last year and likely being busy next year. I’m intrigued by Nnaji who was the 30th pick in the draft only 2 years ago, and is probably considered this year’s rookie prospect for the team. Knicks have a good group of young guys even without doing anything in the draft this year. Next stop Summer League.

Good summary on picks - etc.

I thought Nnaji looked brutal out there today - can't recall seeing such a big guy make himself look so small. Slumpy shoulders, hands down - he doesn't look like an NBA player at all to me.

Kolek I think will be an NBA player - especially if operating in a more defined system with some structure where he knows where guys will be. Dadiet I'm really intrigued by --- McCullar it's going to be about can he develop a pull up and a 3 point shot. His floor game and ability to get near rim is solid.

PassTheBall wrote:Our SL team (and Westchester Knicks) is about to be stacked!

Kolek
McCullar
Pacome
Dia
Huk

Nnaji
Beauchamp
Watson
Dink

…I think some will be traded prior to the season though.

This is NOT stacked -- you have to compare what we have vs what rest of league has. Our youngsters overall are BOTTOM tier vs what other teams have running around.

Good part is our actual roster is pretty damn solid.

LivingLegend wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:We have too many youngins already. Just need to develop them. We are prime. Just need a coach that can develop and compete at the same time. I still think JVG is the way to go.

I think Van Grundy has been black balled for ever for the way he quit and relationship with Doalan.

We could get some good minutes from likes of Huck, Kolek, McCullar or Pacome but this years coming down to CORE and the 2 or 3 vets we can add.

Think the new aprons are pushing more guys down into vet level deals - good for Knicks.

Tax MLE has only been used 2X in something like last 5-10 years and only by 1 team (Nuggets) and both of those deals went bad quickly.

R Jackson signed for 2 years and Nuggets had to add draft comp to dump his MLE deal.
D Saric also gave Nuggets zilch last year and they have his deal,on books now (I think).

Teams just have’s been using the MLE and a guy like Katz said he gives small,odds they use it this year - thinks they will have vet min options where they don’t need to go 2 years and commit and also avoid cap at 2nd apron.

Black balled by the entire league? No one wants him or Jackson

I always thought both were vastly over-rated

blkexec wrote:Been saying this since we hired Thibs.

PLAY THE YOOTS

Said it so much it made BRIGGS leave.

And finally Leon speaks on the hiring Mike Brown. And what do you know. 5 yrs later he fires Thibs for……………wait for it………

NOT PLAYING THE YOOTS

For those who want to say he played the YOOTS, stop it right now. I’m not going back and forth with anybody who believe this. Yes IQ ok. But Grimes and Deuce played due to injuries. We all watched the same 82 games during Thibs tenor. I’m not hear to go back and forth with Thibs lovers or anyone else who disagree.

BUT, I want to finally see a new coach, Brown just meet Leon’s expectations to……………wait for it:

PLAY DA YOOTZ

Granted they look like HOT GARBAGE right now, but it’s their 1st summer league game. At least we know nobody will offer these bums any offers. Which keeps the farm deep.

2026 KNICKS CHAMPIONSHIP

I guess you work in the Knicks front office and are "in the know". Back here on planet earth in the real world - none of us really knows for sure why Thibs was fired, but for those of us not pre-occupied by patting ourselves on the back in admiration for ourselves.... logic would dictate that the reason had to do with the veterans, their usage patterns and the fact that the roster construct required more flexibility in offensive coaching schemes and approach than Thibs was willing to bend to.

It's much more likely that Leon's edict is to win a championship...and not to "play the Yoots" as if this is a rebuilding roster. Anyone who's examined the total minutes and current roster construct will realize that barring injury or further significant roster moves, there are 9 players who will recieve a majority of minutes for next season. 5 starters from last season, Mitch, Deuce, Clarkson and Yabo. Unless Brown goes to a 10 man rotation, get ready for dissappointment as none of those would be considered "Yootz".

If JVG was blackballed by the NBA for ditching on his contract with Knicks and Dolan, why did The Rockets hire him two years later where had a .555 winning record there and was 4th in COY in 2006? He coached 4 years and perhaps had a great roster but Yao Mings health was a big part of his failure to not win a chip.

Overrated? Perhaps given his auspicious start with Knicks married to Ewing and had some high exposure success.
Mark Jax? He recently on a podcast did the "victimized" thing and asking why nobody hired him?

Nobody disputed his coaching acumen and he was not fired for it. He was fired for being openly homophobic in perhaps the most liberal cities in America and had polarized his staff and FO to where they could not stand him. It's part of the job to not be a fucking asshole. That he further polarized folks with his religious beliefs did not help. You can' get in peoples faces about it. Him and his wife had a church and he was very active. He had a 6 year affair with a stripper and while he and his wife did reconcile, as its their business to or not, to be very outwardly proactive as he was and then have that come out is offensive to some folks. Teams have sponsors and the coach is a very high profile position that you pay very well to demonstrate leadership.

What JVG has done over the years was stay active with team USA and attended off season coaching clinics the NBA puts on for assistants and those not employed to stay in the game. I met Cartwright and SVG 10 years ago at one in a hotelI was staying at and was curious about it. Cartwright was cool and explained the purpose. What I never read was Jax ever even interview for an assistant gig as others looking to prove worthy of another chance. Jason Kidd did it with Lakers after bad endings with BKN and Mil. JVG is currently assistant to Tyrone Lue with clippers. This after taking a consulting gig with Celtics. No whiney ass articles about him complaining why he was not given another chance. Im not advocating JVG be given another gig as he has been out of the game for some time but.......He has stature and if kept modern it's not like he going to try to coach as he did 20 years ago.
He has to demonstrate and maybe thats what he is doing. Jax? Has he shown he is not a pompous preaching homophobic judgmental divisive leader of men? I guess not.

There are many fired coaches who got other opportunities after taking assistant roles or at least tried. Jax instead had a nice TV career (he managed to not infringe while doing so) and rather than go the route JVG when it ended he complains about it.