The Knicks are giving talented young point guard Dennis Smith Jr. a second chance. Rookie Kevin Knox has intriguing raw tools that made him the No. 9 overall pick. Second-rounder Mitchell Robinson has shown a special combination of size and athleticism in his rookie year. Even undrafted rookie Allonzo Trier is already making his mark.
Of course, that group isn’t the priority in New York.
The Knicks have cleared enough cap room to chase Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency this summer. New York is chasing bigger stars.
Just ask Knicks owner James Dolan.
YES Network:
James Dolan is confident the Knicks will have "a very successful offseason when it comes to free agents." pic.twitter.com/4DEkv2yDOZ
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 12, 2019
We hear from people all the time – from players, from representatives – who wants to come. We can’t respond because of the NBA rules, etcetera. But that doesn’t stop them from telling us. And they do. And I can tell you from what we’ve heard, I think we’re going to have a very successful offseason when it comes to free agents.
The thing about the team now is that it’s very young. It’s the youngest team in the NBA. You take a look at the some of the players that we have. And they won’t be the centerpiece of the team. But as complements to the centerpieces of the team, we’re developing them right now. And you get guys like Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson and Allonzo and Noah, Dotson, the whole team. They’re getting better.
I wouldn’t bet on Knox, Robinson, Trier, Noah Vonleh or Damyean Dotson becoming the centerpiece of a good team. But I’m not any of those players.
I wonder how they feel about their team’s owner publicly declaring they won’t become the centerpiece. I also wonder how they feel about their team’s owner looking like he needs notes to remember their names.
Likewise, I wonder how anyone who gave New York advance warning about going there feels about Dolan outing that step. Especially if it’s Durant and/or Irving. Those two have been testy about people connecting them to the Knicks. Dolan’s remark will only increase speculation about Durant and Irving going to New York.