SAN FRANCISCO — Evan Fournier nonetheless thinks this Knicks group might work.
Fournier often is the everlasting optimist. Knicks brass is frantically trying to make at the least one transfer to shake up a roster that has nose-dived into twelfth place and a 24-31 file approaching the commerce deadline Thursday.
The Knicks have made the complete roster obtainable, with level guard Kemba Walker the likeliest candidate to be traded. However Fournier and his $78 million contract is also on the transfer.
Dealing Walker and Fournier on Thursday could be an indictment of Knicks president Leon Rose’s blown free-agent summer season.
“He has to connect an asset to a few of them,” an NBA personnel man mentioned. “Don’t assume anybody is lining up on the door for Fournier’s contract.”
Certainly, a prevailing problem is there aren’t a whole lot of groups head over heels over the Knicks’ property. One factor to think about: The Knicks are promoting low, so why promote in any respect?
Julius Randle — on and off the courtroom — has perplexed the group together with his odd habits and inefficient play, however his parting is likelier to happen within the offseason, when there are extra choices. Plus, he has an opportunity to extend his commerce worth. On the present journey, he has averaged 29 factors within the three losses.
“It’s not my job,” Randle mentioned of the deadline. “I attempt to concentrate on issues I can management. This isn’t in my management.”
If Randle is dealt now, it could be endlessly the defining second of Rose’s reign.
There are lots of methods the Knicks can go. In line with ESPN, the Lakers have expressed curiosity in swingman Alec Burks as Knicks administration tries to clear a spot for Cam Reddish. Backup middle Nerlens Noel has suffered by way of a brutal marketing campaign after signing his three-year, $30 million extension. He has been unable to remain wholesome due to a power knee problem.
The Knicks are nonetheless determined for a degree guard, however ready till the offseason, when Jalen Brunson shall be a free agent and Damian Lillard may ask for a commerce, appears like a greater plan.
One NBA supply mentioned administration was extra “collaborative” with coach Tom Thibodeau final season than now.
In line with a supply, Thibodeau wasn’t excessive on the Walker signing. The Put up has beforehand reported he wasn’t all-in on the commerce for Reddish commerce, both. Thibodeau admitted in Denver on Tuesday that he’s not concerned till a deal will get shut.
Phrase across the league since preseason has been the Knicks’ brass is just not on the identical web page, that there are too many cooks within the kitchen with Rose, William Wesley, Scott Perry and Thibodeau.
“I belief Leon, Wes, Scott,’’ Thibodeau mentioned. “They’re doing what they should do. They’re up consistently finding out alternatives. If one thing is smart that they really feel can enhance the staff we’ll do it. If it doesn’t make sense we gained’t do it. They do all of it yr spherical. There’s extra focus due to the deadline. That’s what they must do. In the event that they get shut on one thing they’ll speak to me about it. but it surely’s time of the yr you’re all the chances.’’
Fournier doesn’t need to see a hearth sale.
“I really do [believe],’’ Fournier mentioned. “I’ve solely been right here for a couple of months so that you guys in all probability don’t know me, however after I say one thing I imply it. I’m not right here bullsh–ting or saying one thing simply to say it. I actually do imagine we have now the suitable items. “We simply have to search out ourselves proper now. We’re form of going by way of it. It’s a tricky street journey. It’s a difficult a part of the season, simply earlier than the All-Star break and all of the commerce rumors. Simply concentrate on what issues, man.’’
“We now have expertise, we have now toughness, we have now every little thing. And we’re not that removed from taking part in higher and getting wins. It’s nearly discovering a strategy to play and sticking with that and constructing confidence and all that. Stuff occurs quick within the NBA, if you take a look at the Cavs and the way they’re taking part in. They’re gifted, however not overly loaded. Even how these guys performed final yr — they executed.
The Knicks haven't discovered the suitable chemistry and are taking part in with low confidence in fourth quarters.
Final commerce deadline, the entrance workplace was hesitant to behave and made minor strikes as a result of it didn’t need to mess with the camaraderie of the locker room. The Knicks didn’t add a physique, simply dispatched Austin Rivers and Ignas Brazdeikis in minor offers.
Fourner mentioned at this juncture he’s not bothered by the rumors.
“No, under no circumstances, man,’’ he mentioned. “To be sincere, the very first time I heard my title in commerce rumors was in all probability my second yr in Orlando. At first it’s a bizarre feeling to see your title pop up. Your mates are all calling you, ‘What’s occurring, have you learnt something?’
“The reality is so long as nothing occurs, it doesn’t matter. We now have a job to do, we have now video games to win. We now have to organize the identical approach. So yeah, it actually doesn’t matter. There’s no impact in any respect. Really, the one time I acquired traded from Denver to Orlando there was no rumors in any respect. There was nothing. So stuff like that, it’s only a enterprise. 12 months 10, you simply don’t fear about that.’’
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