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Knicks “Youth Movement”
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Knixkik
Posts: 35423
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Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #11
USA
6/27/2025  8:01 AM
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.

AUTOADVERT
NYKBocker
Posts: 38400
Alba Posts: 474
Joined: 1/14/2003
Member: #377
USA
6/27/2025  8:10 AM
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.
Alpha1971
Posts: 23335
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Member: #9006

6/27/2025  9:14 AM
Lots of good players added to rosters over the draft. Veterans will shake loose from teams for the Knicks as a result
PassTheBall
Posts: 20213
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Joined: 8/2/2014
Member: #5872
Norway
6/27/2025  3:03 PM
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.

/PassTheBall
LivingLegend
Posts: 25553
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 8/13/2007
Member: #1645

6/27/2025  5:23 PM
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.

LivingLegend
Posts: 25553
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 8/13/2007
Member: #1645

6/27/2025  5:29 PM
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.

GustavBahler
Posts: 42752
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Member: #3186

6/27/2025  5:33 PM    LAST EDITED: 6/27/2025  5:34 PM
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.

LivingLegend
Posts: 25553
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 8/13/2007
Member: #1645

6/27/2025  5:33 PM
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.

LivingLegend
Posts: 25553
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 8/13/2007
Member: #1645

6/27/2025  5:35 PM
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.

LivingLegend
Posts: 25553
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 8/13/2007
Member: #1645

6/27/2025  5:36 PM
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.

GustavBahler
Posts: 42752
Alba Posts: 15
Joined: 7/12/2010
Member: #3186

6/27/2025  5:48 PM
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.

Knicks “Youth Movement”

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