Knicks News

Source: Knicks Nuts for Almond
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July 3
New York Post
 
"Grant Hill isn't the only Lon Babby client the Knicks hope will be on their club come October. In fact, the Knicks may have found their "Almond in the Rough." In another sign of Nate Robinson's looming exit, the Knicks signed Morris Almond, Utah's 2007 first-round pick out of Rice, to their summer-league team. According to a team source, the Knicks fully expect to sign the free agent sharpshooter for next season as long as he performs decently in Las Vegas. The summer league begins July 14. Hill, 36, will visit the Knicks on Monday as the club looks to add a character player with leadership skills. The Knicks had no captain last season. That both Babby clients are heavy Knicks targets is ..."
Raps setting their sights on Knicks' big man Lee
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July 2
Toronto Star
 
"The Raptors are widening their NBA free-agent search that now includes one of the more intriguing players on the market. Capping a whirlwind 24 hours to open the negotiating period, league sources say Toronto is trying to obtain David Lee, an energetic rebounder who is a New York Knicks restricted free agent. The sources couldn't say whether the move on Lee would be a straight offer or whether it would be a sign-and-trade transaction with any of Toronto's current free agents. Lee's name is added to a list that began with Charlie Villanueva – who ultimately signed a five-year, $40 million deal with the Detroit Pistons – and Denver's Linas Kleiza, a solid if unspectacular part not in the ..."
Grizz Out of David Lee Hunt; Knicks Targeting Hill
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July 2
New York Post
 
"On the first day of free-agency, the Knicks received good news on David Lee, bad news on Jason Kidd and OK news on their new target, forward Grant Hill. Lee's most ardent suitor, Memphis, is out of the picture after trading former Knick Quentin Richardson to the Clippers for former Knick Zach Randolph to fill its power-forward need. Meanwhile, Kidd met for more than two hours with coach Mike D'Antoni and team president Donnie Walsh yesterday at the Garden, but they remain heavy underdogs. Dallas owner Mark Cuban already is in negotiations with Kidd on a three-year deal reportedly worth $25 million. Instead, the Knicks will try to use their $5.7 million mid-level exception on Phoenix's ..."
Seeking Legitimacy, the Knicks Pursue Kidd and Hill
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July 2
New York Times
 
"The Knicks are a team caught between eras, with one foot in the past, their heart in 2010 and a head full of conflicting goals. Their off-season shopping list reflects the confusion, but also abundant optimism. On the first day of free agency, Knicks officials met with Jason Kidd and reached out to Grant Hill, two aging stars who still have enough ability and clout to restore some pride to Madison Square Garden. Landing either player is a long shot, but it demonstrates an aggressive agenda by Donnie Walsh, the team president, and Coach Mike D'Antoni as they try to resuscitate the franchise. They also made contact with the restricted free agents David Lee and Nate Robinson, two young ..."
Foreclosure Is Latest Challenge for Knicks' Curry
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July 2
New York Times
 
"Eddy Curry is facing foreclosure on his Chicago-area home, the latest sign of apparent financial distress for the Knicks' beleaguered center. According to court documents, Curry is behind on $217,502 in payments on a $3.7 million mortgage. The foreclosure filing, which was first reported by The Chicago Sun-Times, was made Monday in Cook County Circuit Court. The Sun-Times reported that Curry took out a 30-year mortgage, with initial monthly payments of $28,675, when he purchased the home in the Burr Ridge suburb in July 2006. Based on that figure, Curry would appear to be seven months behind on his payments. Curry's lawyer, Kelly Saindon, declined to comment. Two years ago, Curry and his ..."
Mavs offer Kidd three-year deal
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July 1
ESPN.com
 
"The Dallas Mavericks opened the free-agent period early Wednesday by letting guard Jason Kidd know that they are prepared to sign him to a three-year deal, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations. The specifics to be determined in those talks center on the money, with the Mavericks believed to be proposing a deal in the $21 million to $25 million range for the 36-year-old guard, and Kidd said to be seeking more. Kidd also attended his scheduled Wednesday meeting at Madison Square Garden with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni, who works with Kidd as an assistant coach with Team USA. Kidd has legitimate interest in the Knicks given his strong ties ..."
Jason Kidd holds three-hour meeting with Knicks at Madison Square Garden
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July 1
New York Daily News
 
"Jason Kidd met for three hours with Knicks officials early Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Kidd, the veteran free agent point guard, gave Dallas the first crack at talking to him when he met with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban just after midnight. The Knicks feel they have a good chance to sign Kidd. However, the Mavs can offer him more money than the Knicks. Kidd greeted reporters but declined to comment."
Mark Cuban set to talk with Jason Kidd before Knicks' meeting
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July 1
New York Daily News
 
"By the time the Knicks take Jason Kidd on a grand tour of Madison Square Garden Wednesday, Mark Cuban will have already made an offer to keep the veteran point guard in Dallas. Cuban, the Mavs owner, confirmed to The News in an e-mail Tuesday that he planned to meet with Kidd at 12:01 a.m., the official start of the free agent recruiting period. It is believed that the Mavs will offer Kidd a contract starting at $8 million per over two years with an option for a third. Unless the Knicks negotiate a sign-and-trade with Kidd and Dallas, the club can offer him only its mid-level exception starting at approximately $5.8 million. Knicks president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni are hoping ..."
As free agency beckons, Stephon Marbury could use an assist
Comment
July 1
New York Daily News
 columnist Mitch Lawrence
"In what's mainly a warm-up act around here for next summer, free agency in the NBA opened at 12:01 a.m. today, with Rasheed Wallace, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Jason Kidd and Ben Gordon topping the list of 150 free agents. Next summer, the Knicks will try to sign LeBron James, with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire also potential free agents. As for this summer's market, verbal agreements can be reached today, but players can't sign until the salary cap is set on July 8. A look at the top players, by position: POINT GUARDS 1. Andre Miller - Probably off to Portland in sign-and-trade with Philly, with Steve Blake heading to the Sixers. 2. Jason Kidd - The Mavs plan to offer ..."
Foreclosure Is Latest Challenge for Knicks' Curry
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July 1
New York Times
 
"Eddy Curry is facing foreclosure on his Chicago-area home, the latest sign of apparent financial distress for the Knicks' beleaguered center. According to court documents, Curry is behind on $217,502 in payments on a $3.7 million mortgage. The foreclosure filing, which was first reported by The Chicago Sun-Times, was made Monday in Cook County Circuit Court. The Sun-Times reported that Curry took out a 30-year mortgage, with initial monthly payments of $28,675, when he purchased the home in the Burr Ridge suburb in July 2006. Based on that figure, Curry would appear to be seven months behind on his payments. Curry's lawyer, Kelly Saindon, declined to comment. Two years ago, Curry and his ..."
Lee's agent: No discount
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June 30
Bergen Record
 
"David Lee insists he wants to stay in New York, but not enough, according to his agent, to accept a "hometown discount" when negotiations begin Wednesday. "They've kind of had a home-team discount the last four years," agent Mark Bartelstein said Monday of the Knicks, chuckling from his Chicago office. "He was the 30th pick of the draft, so they've had a great discount for the last four years." Lee averaged slightly more than $1 million a season via the predetermined rookie salary scale for the final first-round pick since the Knicks chose him in 2005. Although he and Bartelstein won't specify an asking price, they're expected to seek eight to 10 times higher, whomever the suitor. The ..."
Milicic worthy of a flier
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June 30
Bergen Record
 
"For Darko Milicic, already the latest draft-flop poster child, the Knicks represent his fourth NBA team since the Pistons drafted him second overall after LeBron James and before Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and so many others six years ago. Pish-posh. Six years before that, the Celtics - their dream of Tim Duncan dashed by the lottery - drafted a guard third overall, who ended up playing for six teams in his first six NBA seasons. But with team No. 6, Detroit, Chauncey Billups made four All-Star appearances, and won a title in 2004 before he got traded back to one of his first five teams (Denver) last season. Maybe that's another apples-oranges comparison and some liken ..."
Knicks to meet with free agent PG Kidd on Wednesday
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June 30
New York Daily News
 
"Jason Kidd plans to meet with Knicks officials Wednesday morning, opening day of the free agent recruiting period. A league source told the Daily News Monday night that Kidd is scheduled to sit down with Knicks president Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni early Wednesday. Kidd said in January that he would strongly consider signing with the Knicks. Kidd, who helped the Nets reach back-to-back NBA Finals before being traded to Dallas two years ago, is giving the Mavericks the first chance to re-sign him. The future Hall of Fame point guard will speak with Dallas officials before he talks to the Knicks. It is believed that Kidd also will talk to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Knicks ..."
Knicks to Clear Up Lee, Robinson Situations
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June 30
New York Post
 
"The agent for David Lee scoffed at speculation yesterday the Knicks' acquisitions of big men, first-rounder Jordan Hill and Darko Milicic, mean his rugged-rebounding client is done as a Knick. The shaky futures of restricted free agents Lee and Nate Robinson will become clearer in the next 24 hours. "You're talking about a guy who led the league in double-doubles," Mark Bartlestein told The Post. "I don't know that a draft pick and a guy like that (Darko), you can't really compare them. I didn't think much of it." Lee and Robinson become free at midnight. They played four seasons with the Knicks, who went 23-59, 33-49, 23-59 and 32-50 during that time. Walsh plans to make Lee an initial ..."
Knicks' Free-Agent Focus Likely to Be on Their Own
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June 30
New York Times
 
"The N.B.A. free-agent season is ruled by a single cliché: the midnight phone call. Teams and players are permitted to talk the moment July 1 arrives - 12:01 a.m. Eastern, give or take a few seconds - and so a ritual was born. It is considered good form to call a coveted free agent as soon as possible. So Donnie Walsh, the Knicks' president, will surely reach out to the representatives for David Lee and Nate Robinson late Tuesday night, whether the gesture is necessary or not. "Do you really want me to call you at 12:01?" Walsh said last week with a chuckle. "Is that important to the guy? If it's important, I'll call at 12:01." The Knicks' priorities are clear. They badly want to re-sign ..."
Knicks Taking a Shot in the Darko
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June 29
New York Post
 
"Darko Milicic is still in Serbia, where he and his wife, Zorana, are awaiting the birth of their first child this week. Sometime in August, the 7-foot-1 Milicic will arrive in New York to meet with the Knicks coaching staff as he attempts to revive his disappointing career. Three teams, three failed experiences and countless references to being a draft bust after being selected with the second pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by Detroit. But he just turned 24 and Knicks president Donnie Walsh is hoping the fourth time -- with head coach Mike D'Antoni, who plans to use Milicic differently than he was used in Detroit (by Larry Brown), Orlando and Memphis -- is the charm. "There's three or four ..."
It's time for point guard Rubio to pipe down
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June 29
Washington Examiner
 
"few years ago, Yi Jianlian refused to sign with Milwaukee for six months after the draft. You'd have thought they were the Red Army instead of an NBA team willing to pay him millions. Eventually he won out -- sort of -- by getting shipped to New Jersey. And now Ricky Rubio is pulling the same stunt. He has options, but so does Minnesota, which can afford to wait. Rubio's agent claims he has offers from Turkey and Spain. Heaven knows the NBA might fold if he stays overseas. Agents always bring up the marketing opportunities, or lack of them, in certain places. Let's see: Tim Duncan (San Antonio); LeBron James (Cleveland) and Dwight Howard (Orlando) all have fared just fine. Hmm; win and ..."
Rubio Receives Overseas Offers
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June 28
New York Post
 
"A representative for Ricky Rubio's agency in Spain told The Post yesterday the 18-year-old flamboyant point-guard phenom is receiving offers this weekend to play for a club in Turkey and Real Madrid, which would decrease the likelihood of him playing in the NBA next season. Meanwhile, Knicks team president Donnie Walsh spoke to Timberwolves general manager David Kahn yesterday. According to a source, Kahn's being patient and is not interested in talking trade yet and is "trying to keep him." Tim Shea, the former Knicks European scout who is a consultant for Rubio's agency, Winners Factory, said he expects a formal offer from a Turkish club tomorrow. The offer would be about $1 million, ..."
Not to worry about Curry
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June 28
Contra Costa Times
 
"There they sat, Warriors general manager Larry Riley and Davidson star guard Stephen Curry. The interview was part of the pre-draft camp in Chicago in late May. He was a bit concerned, perhaps even nervous. Wanting badly to make a good impression, the questions raced through his head. Is he even interested? Does he even know who I am or how good we can be together? But the uncertainty, the concern wasn't on the part of the 21-year-old college junior. He had already nailed his first impression. The fret belonged to the 64-year-old first-time NBA executive. "I did a sales job," Riley said. "I was concerned that he might not be as interested in us as he should be. . . . All the other guys we ..."
Offseason Overview: New York Knicks
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June 28
Rototimes.com
 
"The Knicks welcomed in GM Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni last season, and the two put an entertaining, if not very good, team together. D'Antoni's coaching philosophy led to breakout seasons from Nate Robinson, David Lee, and Chris Duhon, among others. The team made deals with the Warriors, Clippers, Thunder, and Bulls in efforts to clear up cap space for the summer of 2010 and also endured an ugly back-and-forth with former Knick Stephon Marbury, who eventually received a buyout for nearly $19 million. The 2009 summer could bring more building for the summer of 2010. Cap situation: $70.9 million committed to 11 players. The team should be able to deduct $9.5 million of Cuttino ..."
Walsh says Knicks will reach out to Minnesota about Ricky Rubio
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June 27
New York Daily News
 
"The Knicks aren't giving up on Ricky Rubio just yet. Friday, team president Donnie Walsh contacted his one-time protégé, Timberwolves GM David Kahn, after Rubio's father told a Spanish news agency that his 18-year-old son may opt to remain in Europe for one or possibly two more years. Rubio has not said publicly that he won't play for Minnesota, but on the day after the Spanish point guard was selected with the fifth pick in the NBA draft, there is a growing sense that Rubio wants to be traded, preferably to the Knicks. On Wednesday, Rubio joked that his mother is worried about him living in a cold-weather city. A person close to the family said Friday that the Rubio clan "doesn't even ..."
Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings travel the same European path to the NBA
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June 27
New York Daily News
 columnist Dick Weiss
"Ricky Rubio has prodigy written all over him. The slender 6-4, 180-pound point guard with the floppy Pete Maravich haircut and flashy game from DKV Joventut in Barcelona became the youngest player to appear in a Spanish ACB League game on Oct. 15, 2005 when he was just 14. Two years later, he led the Spanish national team to the FIBA Europe 16-and-under championship, scoring 51 points, grabbing 24 rebounds and contributing 12 assists and 7 steals during a 110-106 double overtime victory over Russia. His fame spread internationally when he was selected FIBA Europe's Young Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 and was a starter on his country's Olympic team, holding his own against Chris Paul ..."
Knicks Hope To Pry Rubio From Wolves
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June 27
New York Post
 
"The Ricky Rubio sweepstakes is back on! Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he's calling Timberwolves general manager David Kahn to see if the Spanish point guard phenom can be had after Rubio's father told a Spanish Web site that Rubio likely will stay in Spain for the next two seasons instead of paying off a buyout. In another sign he wants nothing to do with Minnesota, Rubio, an 18-year-old, 6-foot-5 showman, was not at yesterday's introductory press conference in Minneapolis, preferring to relax in New York -- a good omen for Knicks fans. Kahn said he didn't ask him to attend. A Minnesota official said there's no timetable for Rubio to report. The T'wolves picked Rubio at No. ..."
Still Needing Point Guard, Knicks Keep Interest in Rubio
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June 27
New York Times
 
"A pair of eager, bright-eyed prospects held up their new Knicks jerseys Friday morning and smiled for the cameras, another yearbook image bursting with optimism. Forward Jordan Hill and guard Toney Douglas, each drafted by the Knicks on Thursday night, stood as the latest standard-bearers of a better future. "We're a little better today than we were yesterday," Coach Mike D'Antoni said, seeming less than content with modest progress. When the draft ended, the Knicks were still searching for a star point guard, a pursuit that may lead back to where it began - to Ricky Rubio. Rubio, the dazzling 18-year-old Spanish guard, was taken with the fifth pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He ..."
Knicks Will Check On Rubio
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June 26
New York Post
 
"Knicks president Donnie Walsh said today he will call the Timberwolves to inquire about Rickey Rubio's availability in the wake of his father threatening the point-guard phenom would play in Spain the next two years. Walsh and Wolves GM David Kahn are friends, with Kahn having worked for Walsh in Indiana. "I haven't spoken to Minnesota; I will," Walsh said at the press conference to introduce draft picks Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas. "He (Kahn) took a lot of point guards. I want to ask him why he did that. I just want to find that out. "He (Rubio) was one of (our) top players," Walsh added. "I would never say never to anything. We're in the offseason. We'll be checking everything out." ..."
Knicks grab "hair" Jordan
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June 26
Bergen Record
 
"As the draft dominoes fell Thursday night, the Knicks got within one pick of Stephen Curry and were just about ready to grab him when … Whoa, Nellie. Golden State's Don Nelson, a former Knicks coach, snatched him away with the seventh overall pick and at No. 8, Donnie Walsh declined to go the expected guard route, instead selecting Arizona power forward Jordan Hill. The second Arizona forward picked by the Knicks in the last four drafts (Isiah Thomas chose Channing Frye with the eighth pick in 2005), Hill heard a typical reaction from the New York crowd when his name was announced: "Boooo." The crowd produced the same reaction not only when Curry went to the Warriors, but when Spanish ..."
NBA Draft: Knicks set to roll dice
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June 26
Bergen Record
 
"Ricky Rubio, the teenage Spanish point guard whom the Knicks would love to snatch at tonight's NBA Draft, didn't hide his thoughts about that possibility Wednesday. "New York," he said, a little more than 24 hours before the annual extravaganza, "is the dream team." He might want to start dreaming about Graceland, wind sweeping down the plain, Gov. Ahh-nold or Garrison Keilor, since his future could be in Memphis, Oklahoma, Sacramento or Minnesota. Stephen Curry also may have to alter his geographic outlook, for although he repeated his desire to play for Mike D'Antoni, he, like Rubio, doesn't seem likely to slip down to the Knicks, sitting with the eighth-overall pick. Unless the Knicks ..."
Knicks latest draft pick Jordan Hill will grow on Madison Square Garden crowd
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June 26
New York Daily News
 columnist Mitch Lawrence
"Before the Knicks made Arizona big man Jordan Hill their top pick Thursday night at the Theater at the Garden, some enterprising fan in the crowd held up a white No.23 jersey with the name "James" on the back. Talk about getting ahead of yourself. After another season of losing at the Garden, there's nothing wrong with dreaming about 2010. It's coming sooner than you think. But the reality is that the Knicks still have another long season in store before they can finally make a play for LeBron James. Until then, they have to hope that Jordan Hill was the right pick. From this vantage point, he was. Not that the Knicks did everything right Thursday night. There was really no reason to ..."
New York Knicks Select Jordan Hill out of Arizona in first round of NBA Draft
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June 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Arizona product Jordan Hill was booed by Knicks fans in attendance at the NBA Draft Thursday night after the team selected him eighth overall -- they were hoping the Knicks would snag Davidson's Stephen Curry -- but that didn't faze the 6-10, 235-pound power forward. "It's a wonderful feeling, coming out here, having fun, getting the process over with,'' Hill told ESPN. "I feel it's a real good pick for me." Hill played for three different coaches during his time at Arizona and thrived nevertheless. He believes that will help him at the NBA level. "I can't control who coached the team, and I'm glad I witnessed it in college, because in the next league, you can change coaches every year,'' ..."
Lakers sell two draft picks with an eye on free agents
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June 26
Los Angeles Times
 
"With one eye toward free agency and another toward the bank, the Lakers sold two of their picks in Thursday's NBA draft for a combined $4.5 million. The Lakers sat out the first round for a second consecutive season, selling the 29th overall pick to the New York Knicks for $3 million. Then they sent the 42nd overall pick to the Miami Heat for $1.5 million. In both deals, the Lakers also received a 2011 second-round pick. All told, the Lakers are $6.2 million richer than they were before the draft, raking in $4.5 million while saving another $1.7 million that would have been guaranteed to the 29th pick over the next two seasons. Thursday's cost-conscious activities will only help the ..."
With Stephen Curry gone, Knicks pick Arizona's Jordan Hill 8th in NBA Draft
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June 26
New York Daily News
 
"One pick was all that stood between the Knicks and Stephen Curry. Now, they are separated by nearly 3,000 miles. In a matter of minutes, the NBA draft went from buzz to boos for the Knicks after the star-crossed franchise selected Arizona forward Jordan Hill at No.8, just after the Golden State Warriors grabbed Curry with the previous pick. It was a stunning turn of events that seemed to disappoint Curry, while leaving Hill and Donnie Walsh as the two most unpopular people at the Theater at the Garden. When NBA commissioner David Stern announced the selection of Hill, the partisan crowd booed. "I've been through that in Indiana," Walsh said. "They booed Chuck Person. They booed Reggie ..."
Knicks send cash and future 2nd-round pick to Lakers for 29th pick
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June 26
New York Daily News
 
"The Knicks have acquired the Lakers first round pick - No. 29 overall - in Thursday night's NBA draft, the Daily News has learned. Sources said that the Knicks paid $3 million for the pick and are also giving the Lakers their second round pick in 2011. The Knicks appear to be targeting Georgetown 6-8 forward DaJuan Summers with the selection. The Knicks have made it known over the past few days that they want to add a second No. 1 pick to their No. 8 selection. With Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza becoming free agents on July 1, the Lakers didn't want to take on a new guaranteed contract and had been actively trying to sell or trade their pick."
The Knicks Deal, but Don't Get What They Want
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June 26
New York Times
 
"The home crowd serenaded Jordan Hill with its usual patter of disgruntlement. For Hill, a forward from Arizona, it served as both his introduction and initiation into professional basketball in New York. He walked the steps of the Theater at Madison Square Garden to the same soundtrack that many a Knicks draft pick had before. The selection topped a frenzied day as the Knicks continued to purge their recent past and looked to clarify their still murky future. They also shipped the swingman Quentin Richardson to the Memphis Grizzlies for the backup center Darko Milicic and bought the rights to the Los Angeles Lakers' 29th overall selection for $3 million and a 2011 second-round selection. ..."
Knicks select Jordan Hill of Arizona with 8th pick in NBA Draft
Comment
June 25
New York Daily News
 
"One pick was all that separated the Knicks from drafting Stephen Curry Thursday night. Now, they are separated by nearly 3,000 miles. Curry was taken seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Draft, a stunning turn of events that left Jordan Hill and Donnie Walsh as the two most unpopular people in New York. Walsh selected Hill, a 6-foot-10 forward from Arizona, eighth overall much to the dismay of the partisan crowd inside the WaMu Theatre. "I've been through that in Indiana," Walsh said. "They booed Chuck Person. They booed Reggie Miller. I can go on and on." Walsh called Hill "one of the best if not the best big men" in the draft. He averaged 18.3 points and 11 rebounds as ..."
Knicks buy Lakers' pick
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June 25
Yahoo! Sports
 
"New York Knicks officials are telling peers they have purchased the Lakers' No. 29 pick. The Knicks are planning to draft a point guard with their choice at No. 8, and sources say they're targeting a big man at 29. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said on Wednesday the team hoped to sell its pick and use to money to help re-sign free agents Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza."
Rumor Roundup: Brand, McGrady, Rondo, Darko, Farmar
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June 25
SI.com
 
"The 76ers have shopped Elton Brand. ... Other teams "very aggressive" in pursuit of Tracy McGrady, according to Rockets GM Daryl Morey. ... The agent for Rajon Rondo, the subject of trade rumors, is unhappy with Celtics boss Danny Ainge. ... The Knicks are close to acquiring Darko Milicic. ... The Lakers have contacted Houston about acquiring Jordan Farmar or buying their first-round pick."
Jennings Sliding?
Comment
June 25
SI.com
 
"As the candidates woke to draft day, the player sliding out of the lottery appeared to be point guard Brandon Jennings, who bypassed his freshman year of college in order to spend last season with the Euroleague club Lottomatica Rome of Italy. By my count, the only top-10 teams considering Jennings are the Knicks at No. 8 and the Bucks at No. 10, and Jennings is unlikely to go to either of them unless one or more trades change the order of the draft. The smart move would be to take Jennings out of the green room, but Jennings and agent Bill Duffy had yet to meet as of Thursday morning. I'm sure Duffy will remind Jennings that the order of the draft is meaningless; what matters is that he ..."
Donnie Walsh, Knicks close to acquiring Darko Milicic from Grizzlies
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June 25
New York Daily News
 
"The Knicks are on the verge of acquiring the second pick of the NBA draft. The second pick of the 2003 draft, that is. A deal that would send Quentin Richardson to Memphis for Darko Milicic, the player selected after LeBron James and before Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, is close to being finalized. The 7-foot Milicic has been a disappointment since entering the league but he would give the Knicks a shot-blocker on their front line. Both Milicic and Richardson are entering the last year of their contracts. "We're just having conversations," said one Knicks source. "Nothing is done yet." The potential trade on the eve of the draft signals the start of what figures to be a busy offseason ..."
T'Wolves Trade Likely Dashes Knicks' Rubio Hopes
Comment
June 25
New York Post
 
"The Knicks hopes of trading up in the draft for Ricky Rubio -- always a longshot -- looked to be dashed last night when two NBA GMs told The Post that Minnesota was close to a deal with Washington, and possibly Memphis, to move up to the second slot. Minnesota would gain Washington's fifth pick and would try to package the fifth and sixth to Memphis to move up to No. 2, according to sources. That scenario was similar to the one the Knicks had discussed with Washington, obtaining the Wizards' fifth pick. The Knicks then would have dealt their own eighth pick and fifth to Memphis for the second pick in tomorrow's draft, as reported yesterday by Peter Vecsey. The Knicks offered Larry Hughes ..."
Nash and Bosh Talk Knicks and Draft
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June 25
New York Post
 
"Tonight teams will converge on the Garden for the NBA draft, hoping to make the pick that changes their futures. But last night, Phoenix' Steve Nash and Toronto's Chris Bosh _ two stars the Knicks hope can change their future _ were in Chinatown squaring off against each otherain soccer. They played in the Showdown in Chinatown, a charity game Nash founded with ex-U.S. soccer star Claudio Reyna. The Suns guard had a first-half hat-trick, but Bosh was the crowd favorite, partly because he couldn't play a lick but mostly because they just want to him in a Knick uniform in 2010. They may be part of a 2010 free-agent class that includes LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and perhaps Nash's teammate ..."
Possible Picks for Knicks at No. 8
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June 25
New York Post
 
"The Knicks, wrecked by Minnesota dealing for Washington's fifth pick, are not going to win the Ricky Rubio sweepstakes. Memphis point guard Tyreke Evans, whom the Knicks rate almost as high, should be gone when the Knicks pick at No. 8. Same for Stephen Curry, once thought to be a shoo-in to be around. If Curry and Evans are gone as expected, the Knicks will mull three consolation prizes -- the next PG on their list, UCLA freshman Jrue Holiday; 6-foot-10 Arizona junior power forward Jordan Hill, once projected as high as 3; and the sleeper, Duke junior SG Gerald Henderson, whom Mike D'Antoni raved about at the Chicago combine. But tonight's NBA Draft won't be a total loss for the Knicks. ..."
Grizzlies may move Darko to Knicks
Comment
June 24
ESPN.com
 
"The Grizzlies aren't just entertaining the idea of parting with the No. 2 overall pick in Thursday's draft. They've also engaged in advanced discussions with the Knicks that should put former No. 2 overall pick Darko Milicic in New York by week's end ... unless Memphis winds up needing Milicic's expiring contract in another draft-related trade. Sources say that the proposed swap would send Milicic to the Knicks for swingman Quentin Richardson and cash. Milicic is scheduled to earn $7.5 million next season in the final year of a three-year deal he received from the Griz in 2007; Richardson has a player option for next season at $8.7 million. If the teams go through with the trade, Milicic ..."
Knicks, Grizzlies revive trade talks
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June 24
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies are pushing hard on a Quentin Richardson-Darko Milicic trade, and an agreement could come this week, league sources said. The two teams have revived discussions from the February trade deadline on the deal. Richardson has an expiring $9.3 million contract and would be another athletic wing player to go with O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay. Milicic, a 7-foot forward-center, is in the final year of his contract and could give the Knicks some rebounding and presence near the rim."
Former Duke guard Gerald Henderson figuring into Knicks draft mix
Comment
June 24
New York Daily News
 
"Gerald Henderson could emerge as the surprise pick of the NBA draft's first round, assuming the Knicks' top three targets - Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans - are off the board. The Knicks own the eighth pick in Thursday's draft and are trying to move into the top four in order to take Rubio, the highly touted point guard from Spain. Rubio, Curry and Evans are all projected to go in the top seven. When it comes time for the Knicks to make their pick, point guards Brandon Jennings and Jrue Holiday should both be available, but people familiar with the club's thinking claim that Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni prefer Henderson, a 6-5 shooting guard from Duke and son of the former ..."
Long-range shooter Stephen Curry could be Knicks' pick in NBA Draft
Comment
June 24
Palm Beach Post
 
"Stephen Curry, the razor-thin, sharp-shooting point guard from Davidson College, epitomizes the uncertain quality of Thursday's NBA Draft. He's definitely a big-time prospect, but no one is sure whether he'll be a big-time player. Regardless, Curry isn't expected to slip past New York, which has the No. 8 selection. "There's a little concern for me defensively," said an NBA scout. "But the guy can just shoot. If you defend him at 22 feet he moves out to 24. If you defend him at 24 feet he moves out to 28." Curry, the best shooter available in the draft, led the nation in scoring last season at 28.6 points per game. In November, he had a career-high 44 points against 12th-ranked Oklahoma, ..."
Knicks Extend Qualifying Offers to Lee and Robinson
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June 24
New York Times
 
"David Lee and Nate Robinson received qualifying contract offers last week from the Knicks, making both players restricted free agents this summer. The move was not announced by the Knicks, although it was considered a formality. The players' agents confirmed that they received the paperwork just after the N.B.A. finals ended. The restricted free-agency designation means that the Knicks have the right to match any offer that Lee or Robinson receives after hitting the market on July 1. Had the Knicks not made the qualifying offers by the end of this month, Lee and Robinson would have become unrestricted free agents. The one-year qualifying offer to Lee was about $2.7 million and Robinson ..."
Knicks May Draft Jrue Holiday
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June 23
New York Post
 
"After Donnie Walsh met the media yesterday, the Knicks president watched UCLA guard Jrue Holiday in one final workout -- Holiday's second with the Knicks after being asked back for a redo. Holiday participated in the Knicks' final workout because he may be the last man standing when the Knicks select Thursday at No. 8. The two point guards they have rated higher than Holiday -- Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans -- could well be gone, Curry at No. 7 to the Warriors and Evans at No. 6 to Minnesota. Arizona power forward Jordan Hill is the other player they covet, but he could be scooped up at No. 5 by Washington. Barring a sensational drop by Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio to 8, that leaves ..."
With eyes toward draft, Knicks looking at Spanish guard Ricky Rubio
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June 23
New York Daily News
 
"Donnie Walsh has three days to put together a package that will allow the Knicks to trade up in the NBA draft andSpanish guard Ricky Rubio, the player the club has targeted for months. There have been reports that Rubio, because of his $6 million buyout with his European team, could fall to the Knicks at No. 8. Walsh did not rule out that scenario, saying Monday that Rubio and UConn center Hasheem Thabeet could both drop. "I'm not confident that they will be in the top four," Walsh said from the Knicks' training facility in Greenburgh. "They could. It's possible. I'm not saying it's going to happen." Rubio's agent Dan Fegan has told Memphis and Oklahoma City, second and third overall, ..."
Knicks most likely to seek fortunes with Curry
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June 23
Newsday
 
"The Knicks did not win the lottery, but they might have a higher power on their side for Thursday's NBA draft. For instance, when Hasheem Thabeet opened a fortune cookie Monday in midtown while lunching at Tao, the message read: "Buddha says: Please get drafted by the NY Knicks." Someone at that restaurant in charge of writing fortunes is an optimist. But for the Knicks to fulfill Buddha's request and land a valuable big man such as the 7-3 Thabeet, who would fill a critical shot-blocking need, it will take a move up in the draft from the Knicks' current position at No. 8. Donnie Walsh Monday said he has been trying. "Of course we've had conversations," he said, "but I don't know if we're ..."
Knicks: Let's make a deal
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June 23
Bergen Record
 
"Ricky Rubio won't meet with or work out for the Knicks, team president Donnie Walsh said Monday - but that doesn't mean they won't try to make an effort to pick him in Thursday's NBA draft. Walsh indicated he plans to construct a number of potential scenarios with which the Knicks could trade up from eighth to wherever they can get the player they want. That could be Rubio, the mop-topped teenage point guard whose complex negotiations to alter his $6 million buyout from his Spanish team couldhim out of his once-projected top-three spot. Or it could be Stephen Curry, now considered a potential top-five pick. Or Memphis combo guard Tyreke Evans, Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn or UCLA point ..."