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James Nnaji?
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Panos
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5/1/2025  2:11 PM
Knicks acquired this 7 footer in the KAT trade. Anyone know anything about him? Can he play defense, and block a shot? Catch a pass? Dunk the ball?
AUTOADVERT
blkexec
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5/1/2025  2:52 PM
Panos wrote:Knicks acquired this 7 footer in the KAT trade. Anyone know anything about him? Can he play defense, and block a shot? Catch a pass? Dunk the ball?

or a simpler question....Is he better than Huk?

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VDesai
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5/1/2025  2:56 PM
I dunno man, he's big
martin
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5/1/2025  2:58 PM
Physical specimen. Had back surgery last year. Stats: https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/james-nnaji-1.html

Physical player. Better than Robinson on offense.

Gonna need a lot of work to fit in and learn.


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Panos
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5/1/2025  2:59 PM
Can he play next to KAT?
Panos
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5/1/2025  3:01 PM
martin wrote:Physical specimen. Had back surgery last year. Stats: https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/james-nnaji-1.html

Physical player. Better than Robinson on offense.

Gonna need a lot of work to fit in and learn.


Looks like he can catch the ball without shovelling it out of bounds and dribble to get to the hoop, at least.
VDesai
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5/1/2025  3:22 PM
I just realized that he played a couple years on the same team as Rokas Jokuabaitis
blkexec
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5/1/2025  3:47 PM
VDesai wrote:I just realized that he played a couple years on the same team as Rokas Jokuabaitis

And just like that, the Rokas (off season) conspiracies have begun.

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Knixkik
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5/2/2025  2:40 AM
Who’s his agent? Rokas is CAA, so he will always be a consideration.
martin
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5/2/2025  8:01 AM
Amongst other things, I think I read that he hasnt been in NBA because he didn't want to play in Charlotte. And then the back thing.

Hope he makes his way over. Think the Knicks have a lot of changes coming up.

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VDesai
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5/2/2025  8:17 AM
martin wrote:Amongst other things, I think I read that he hasnt been in NBA because he didn't want to play in Charlotte. And then the back thing.

Hope he makes his way over. Think the Knicks have a lot of changes coming up.

I do believe Hukporti is ready to be a backup 5. The issue is injuries. If he has gotten a few more games before Mitch came back I think he was establishing himself as a legitimate rotation big. Aside from defensive intensity, he a decent skillset on offense. He may not be iHart (yet), but he can be more of a hub than Robinson to keep the ball moving.

Nnaji then becomes a viable consideration to be the next big up. Question is how many inexperienced bench guys with Thibs trust/tolerate?
martin
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5/2/2025  8:32 AM
VDesai wrote:
martin wrote:Amongst other things, I think I read that he hasnt been in NBA because he didn't want to play in Charlotte. And then the back thing.

Hope he makes his way over. Think the Knicks have a lot of changes coming up.

I do believe Hukporti is ready to be a backup 5. The issue is injuries. If he has gotten a few more games before Mitch came back I think he was establishing himself as a legitimate rotation big. Aside from defensive intensity, he a decent skillset on offense. He may not be iHart (yet), but he can be more of a hub than Robinson to keep the ball moving.

Nnaji then becomes a viable consideration to be the next big up. Question is how many inexperienced bench guys with Thibs trust/tolerate?

Yep

I do really wonder what the FO thinks of the Knicks C players. KAT, Mitch especially.

Can you start those 2 guys together? If you do, do the Knicks have enough depth at backup C? And does Mitch's defense make up for the atrocious O?

Is Mitch long term for the Knicks?

Does KAT and Brunson work on D against the better teams?

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Nalod
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5/2/2025  1:25 PM    LAST EDITED: 5/2/2025  1:27 PM
Knicks can always trade Mitch before next season. His Value? His medical charts might dictate more than anything.
they can roll into next season with Mitch and see if anyone emerges and trade Mitch if he is playing well and is worth more than what we want to pay. He is due an extension. If really he and knicks are legit contenders kicking ass we stay with it, make a deep playoff run, then cry when he walks but thats how this era works.
After a season of KAT I now understand why Minny got Rudy to pair with KAT.

That said Josh needs to go the bench and start Mitch/Kat wit a valid back up 5 situation.
Panos
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6/19/2025  2:38 PM
Welcome, my good man!
Hope you stick around a while!
GustavBahler
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6/19/2025  2:48 PM
If we give up Mitch for anything less than a comparable big we lose Mitch's offensive rebounding. We knock Mitch (rightfully) for his limitations on offense, but it bears repeating that Mitch creates a lot of scoring opportunities for his teammates with his rebounding. Which means the team will be working even harder for scoring opportunities.

Mitch at backup center, team thinking about his availability in the post-season. I think if we face the Pacers again with a deeper bench, even if its essentially the same roster. There will be a different outcome.

I think we risk losing a rematch if we give up Mitch for a player who cant get offensive rebounds like Mitch does. Not to mention rim protection.
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6/19/2025  3:49 PM
I am intrigued. He is really good at setting picks and rolling to the hoop. If we go with a PnR offense ( we should) he would be great. Has great hands, has a variety of moves around the hoop, can dribble. Doesn't look like he can shoot, but is skilled around the hoop. Mitch looks like such a stiff on O compared to him. On d he can block a little too. Between him and Huk we have the backup big man rotation covered.
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martin
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6/19/2025  3:52 PM
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Knixkik
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6/19/2025  5:02 PM
For some nifty cap mechanics, the Knicks can sign him using the second round exception, which is a 3-year deal starting at 1.3M. See the Kolek contract for reference. Hukporti has less guaranteed years but is also in that range. If the Knicks are looking to fill out the roster for really cheap, this is how to do it. If Hukporti takes a step forward and Nnaji proves to be a player, we are set at center behind Mitch and KAT.
LivingLegend
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6/19/2025  7:42 PM
martin wrote:

Hype will be either be sky high as next Ewing or will crash to earth as next Freddy Weiss
Alpha1971
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6/19/2025  7:50 PM
He is our first rounder in effect.
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