Knicks Sign Mindaugas Kuzminskas

Posted: Jul 09, 2016
NEW YORK - New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kuzminskas, 6-9, 215-pounds, has averaged 8.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 221 career games over seven seasons with Siauliai (Lithuania), Zalgris (Lithuania) and Malaga (Spain). He is a four-time Lithuanian All-Star (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), three-time Lithuanian National champion (2011, 2012, 2013), two-time winner of the Lithuanian National Cup (2011, 2012), two-time Baltic League champion (2011, 2012) and winner of the 2012 Lithuanian Super Cup.

The 26-year-old posted 12.0 points, on 48.6-percent shooting and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games for Malaga last season. The Vinius, Lithuania-native represented his country in the 2013 and 2015 EuroCup, winning Silver medals at both.

Knicks lose one big man, gain another

Backup small forward Derrick Williams finally found a niche last season in New York but elected to opt out of the $4.9 million left on his pact and take his talents to South Beach.

With the Knicks out of cap space, Williams signed Friday for roughly the same amount he would’ve made with the Knicks — a reported one-year deal with the rival Heat.

Both sides may have regrets Williams chose to opt out. Knicks president Phil Jackson has attempted to fill Williams’ void with a cheaper option, signing 6-foot-9 Lithuanian small forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas, 26 and undrafted in 2011. The Knicks beat out the Lakers and Hawks.

Scouts have pegged Kuzminskas, who played in the Spanish League last season, having skills akin to ex-Knick Danilo Gallinari. Jackson indicated similar traits but cautioned about an NBA adjustment.

“We felt like we needed an agile, mobile 3 that had some ability to shoot distance and spread the court,’’ Jackson said. “It may take him an adjustment to NBA play — we understand,’’ Jackson said. “It gives us another opportunity to play smaller, quicker with a wide extension of spacing.”

Ex-Knicks European scout Tim Shea, based in Spain and who consults with NBA teams on prospects, projects Kuzminskas as making an impact as a rookie.

“He’s a shooter … and can be a positive addition as an NBA rotation player,’’ Shea told The Post. “He takes good shots and as an athlete can sometimes surprise. Long arms, quick delivery, good footwork, good reads in half-court sets. He gave quality time to Malaga for the last few seasons. Plays hard. Disciplined. 80 percent free-throw shooter, good 2-point shooter and 3-point shooter.”

Kuzminskas averaged 12.0 points, on 48.6 percent shooting and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games for Malaga last season.

Kuzminskas, who signed for part of the $2.9M room exception, will play for the Lithuanian Olympic Team. He signed for a portion of the $2.9M room exception.

The Knicks’ second-round pick, center Willy Hernangomez, also is playing in the Olympics. The Post reported he signed for four years, starting at about $1.45M with the remaining salary-cap space.

On the roster, Hernangomez and rookie Marshall Plumlee of Duke are the only backup centers to Joakim Noah. According to a source, Jackson plans to add veteran shooting guard Sasha Vujacic and is seeking a cheap veteran big to finish the roster.

“Joakim represents a more mobile, athletic slender [center] — we don’t have a huge body,’’ Jackson said. “Our young kids Willy and Plumlee represent possiblities. We don’t have an established veteran. Kyle [O’Quinn] is going to have to take that role at the start.”

Knicksfan wrote:http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-sign-mindaugas-kuzminskas

Knicks Sign Mindaugas Kuzminskas

Posted: Jul 09, 2016
NEW YORK - New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kuzminskas, 6-9, 215-pounds, has averaged 8.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 221 career games over seven seasons with Siauliai (Lithuania), Zalgris (Lithuania) and Malaga (Spain). He is a four-time Lithuanian All-Star (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), three-time Lithuanian National champion (2011, 2012, 2013), two-time winner of the Lithuanian National Cup (2011, 2012), two-time Baltic League champion (2011, 2012) and winner of the 2012 Lithuanian Super Cup.

The 26-year-old posted 12.0 points, on 48.6-percent shooting and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games for Malaga last season. The Vinius, Lithuania-native represented his country in the 2013 and 2015 EuroCup, winning Silver medals at both.

The guy doesn't like Mindy so Phil and Mills call him Kuz.

fishmike wrote:

Knicksfan wrote:http://nypost.com/2016/07/09/knicks-lose-one-big-man-gain-another/

Knicks lose one big man, gain another

Backup small forward Derrick Williams finally found a niche last season in New York but elected to opt out of the $4.9 million left on his pact and take his talents to South Beach.

With the Knicks out of cap space, Williams signed Friday for roughly the same amount he would’ve made with the Knicks — a reported one-year deal with the rival Heat.

Both sides may have regrets Williams chose to opt out. Knicks president Phil Jackson has attempted to fill Williams’ void with a cheaper option, signing 6-foot-9 Lithuanian small forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas, 26 and undrafted in 2011. The Knicks beat out the Lakers and Hawks.

Scouts have pegged Kuzminskas, who played in the Spanish League last season, having skills akin to ex-Knick Danilo Gallinari. Jackson indicated similar traits but cautioned about an NBA adjustment.

“We felt like we needed an agile, mobile 3 that had some ability to shoot distance and spread the court,’’ Jackson said. “It may take him an adjustment to NBA play — we understand,’’ Jackson said. “It gives us another opportunity to play smaller, quicker with a wide extension of spacing.”

Ex-Knicks European scout Tim Shea, based in Spain and who consults with NBA teams on prospects, projects Kuzminskas as making an impact as a rookie.

“He’s a shooter … and can be a positive addition as an NBA rotation player,’’ Shea told The Post. “He takes good shots and as an athlete can sometimes surprise. Long arms, quick delivery, good footwork, good reads in half-court sets. He gave quality time to Malaga for the last few seasons. Plays hard. Disciplined. 80 percent free-throw shooter, good 2-point shooter and 3-point shooter.”

Kuzminskas averaged 12.0 points, on 48.6 percent shooting and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games for Malaga last season.

Kuzminskas, who signed for part of the $2.9M room exception, will play for the Lithuanian Olympic Team. He signed for a portion of the $2.9M room exception.

The Knicks’ second-round pick, center Willy Hernangomez, also is playing in the Olympics. The Post reported he signed for four years, starting at about $1.45M with the remaining salary-cap space.

On the roster, Hernangomez and rookie Marshall Plumlee of Duke are the only backup centers to Joakim Noah. According to a source, Jackson plans to add veteran shooting guard Sasha Vujacic and is seeking a cheap veteran big to finish the roster.

“Joakim represents a more mobile, athletic slender [center] — we don’t have a huge body,’’ Jackson said. “Our young kids Willy and Plumlee represent possiblities. We don’t have an established veteran. Kyle [O’Quinn] is going to have to take that role at the start.”

THe bold is something worth watching. I always felt KOQ was much better suited to the play the 5. He's got a very long wingspan so he's bigger than his 6'10 height suggests. He really struggled against 4s but against 5s he is much more comfortable. I also think he's got a better shot than he showed last year. This could be a great chance for him to win the backup C role. You figure KP is going to play there some also, but there will be times when KP and Noah are out and you want a good 5 on the floor next to Melo. KOQ is a decent shot blocker as well (at the 5).

fishmike wrote:

Knicksfan wrote:http://nypost.com/2016/07/09/knicks-lose-one-big-man-gain-another/

Knicks lose one big man, gain another

Backup small forward Derrick Williams finally found a niche last season in New York but elected to opt out of the $4.9 million left on his pact and take his talents to South Beach.

With the Knicks out of cap space, Williams signed Friday for roughly the same amount he would’ve made with the Knicks — a reported one-year deal with the rival Heat.

Both sides may have regrets Williams chose to opt out. Knicks president Phil Jackson has attempted to fill Williams’ void with a cheaper option, signing 6-foot-9 Lithuanian small forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas, 26 and undrafted in 2011. The Knicks beat out the Lakers and Hawks.

Scouts have pegged Kuzminskas, who played in the Spanish League last season, having skills akin to ex-Knick Danilo Gallinari. Jackson indicated similar traits but cautioned about an NBA adjustment.

“We felt like we needed an agile, mobile 3 that had some ability to shoot distance and spread the court,’’ Jackson said. “It may take him an adjustment to NBA play — we understand,’’ Jackson said. “It gives us another opportunity to play smaller, quicker with a wide extension of spacing.”

Ex-Knicks European scout Tim Shea, based in Spain and who consults with NBA teams on prospects, projects Kuzminskas as making an impact as a rookie.

“He’s a shooter … and can be a positive addition as an NBA rotation player,’’ Shea told The Post. “He takes good shots and as an athlete can sometimes surprise. Long arms, quick delivery, good footwork, good reads in half-court sets. He gave quality time to Malaga for the last few seasons. Plays hard. Disciplined. 80 percent free-throw shooter, good 2-point shooter and 3-point shooter.”

Kuzminskas averaged 12.0 points, on 48.6 percent shooting and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games for Malaga last season.

Kuzminskas, who signed for part of the $2.9M room exception, will play for the Lithuanian Olympic Team. He signed for a portion of the $2.9M room exception.

The Knicks’ second-round pick, center Willy Hernangomez, also is playing in the Olympics. The Post reported he signed for four years, starting at about $1.45M with the remaining salary-cap space.

On the roster, Hernangomez and rookie Marshall Plumlee of Duke are the only backup centers to Joakim Noah. According to a source, Jackson plans to add veteran shooting guard Sasha Vujacic and is seeking a cheap veteran big to finish the roster.

“Joakim represents a more mobile, athletic slender [center] — we don’t have a huge body,’’ Jackson said. “Our young kids Willy and Plumlee represent possiblities. We don’t have an established veteran. Kyle [O’Quinn] is going to have to take that role at the start.”

THe bold is something worth watching. I always felt KOQ was much better suited to the play the 5. He's got a very long wingspan so he's bigger than his 6'10 height suggests. He really struggled against 4s but against 5s he is much more comfortable. I also think he's got a better shot than he showed last year. This could be a great chance for him to win the backup C role. You figure KP is going to play there some also, but there will be times when KP and Noah are out and you want a good 5 on the floor next to Melo. KOQ is a decent shot blocker as well (at the 5).

Well it won't be a hard role to win if we don't bring in a legit center to backup Noah cause we don't have one now which is why i've been screaming for D.Lee or someone legit. The only name i've heard us linked to is D.Gooden.

NardDogNation wrote:I was a big fan of D-Will throughout his career but given how ball dominant our new players are, he might not have been a fit. Mindy, however, looks to do a lot of what Williams did and seems to be able to shoot the ball from distance without having to put it on the floor to find a rhythm. Good find and signing if that turns out to be the case.

Don't like this!
Knicks always let go guys whom did well
Then take it another level elsewhere cause
Neither ny management or staff has any stinking
Patience with these players

Sometimes it all about finding guys whom can hack
Being in NYC in the first place !

Rather than making roster spots for roll of the dice
Situations...

These foreign player signings.. let these guys come
And prove they belong....and can withstand being in
NY in the first place.

DJMUSIC wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:I was a big fan of D-Will throughout his career but given how ball dominant our new players are, he might not have been a fit. Mindy, however, looks to do a lot of what Williams did and seems to be able to shoot the ball from distance without having to put it on the floor to find a rhythm. Good find and signing if that turns out to be the case.

Don't like this!
Knicks always let go guys whom did well
Then take it another level elsewhere cause
Neither ny management or staff has any stinking
Patience with these players

Sometimes it all about finding guys whom can hack
Being in NYC in the first place !

Rather than making roster spots for roll of the dice
Situations...

These foreign player signings.. let these guys come
And prove they belong....and can withstand being in
NY in the first place.

Knicksfan wrote:http://nypost.com/2016/07/09/knicks-lose-one-big-man-gain-another/

With the Knicks out of cap space, Williams signed Friday for roughly the same amount he would’ve made with the Knicks — a reported one-year deal with the rival Heat.

That just sucks. Bum luck.