Knicks Mailbag: Mitchell Robinson to overlook begin of season; extra roster strikes coming?

SNY’s Ian Begley will likely be responding to Knicks questions from readers. Here is the most recent…

How will the Knicks use their remaining cap house and/or the final roster spot? – @jmere09nyc

I answered this one a couple weeks ago. However it’s an evergreen query at the moment of 12 months, so it’s value addressing once more.

The Knicks nonetheless have 14 gamers on conventional NBA contracts. In order that they have room for yet one more conventional contract on the common season roster. (Groups can carry 15 gamers on conventional contracts and three two-way gamers within the common season).

The coaching camp battle for the fifteenth roster spot ought to be a superb one this 12 months.

The Knicks signed each Marcus Morris and Landry Shamet to non-guaranteed contracts earlier this month. It’s honest to imagine that they are going to battle for that remaining spot. In the event that they each play properly, perhaps the Knicks waive a participant on a assured deal to make room for Morris and Shamet?

Both means, the Knicks achieved an offseason aim by including confirmed NBA gamers to the tip of the roster.

Shamet is a confirmed shooter and, at 6′ 5″, can provide the Knicks dimension within the backcourt.

As famous final week, Shamet selected the Knicks, partly, as a result of he was searching for a profitable surroundings. (How usually within the final 20-plus years have the Knicks had a bonus on a free agent who’s trying to win?)

Morris had a really sturdy stint with the Knicks in 2019-2020 earlier than he was moved to the Clippers on the 2020 commerce deadline. The Knicks bought a 2020 first-round decide within the commerce. That decide was primarily used to pick out Immanuel Quickley. Quickley, in fact, was a major a part of the bundle New York despatched to Toronto within the OG Anunoby commerce.

Morris loves the Backyard and has ties to the present Knicks workforce. Amongst them? Crew president Leon Rose used to characterize Morris when Rose was a participant agent at CAA.

Each Morris and Shamet signed in New York as a result of they’ve a pathway to a roster spot. On paper, Shamet looks like a lock for one of many prime 15 spots on the roster. However there are dozens of things that go into these choices. One place Morris could have an edge is within the locker room. He had a constructive affect on the Knicks when he was right here. Even amid the dropping, Morris made an effort to maintain the group aligned and appeared to attach properly with each younger gamers and his veteran friends.

He may add lots to the locker room in that regard. However make no mistake: Morris can nonetheless contribute significant minutes on the court docket. Simply take a look at how his presence swung the Cavaliers-Magic first spherical collection within the 2024 playoffs. Or take a look at how he performed in Recreation 6 of the Cavs-Celtics collection.

So if the Knicks have damage points at energy ahead, they wouldn’t have to fret about his capacity to fill a task within the rotation. New York, as beforehand famous, sees Morris as each an influence ahead and an undersized heart at this level in his profession. It goes with out saying, however they signed him with the concept that he had an actual likelihood to make the common season roster.

Once more, the battle for that fifteenth spot will likely be an fascinating one throughout coaching camp/preseason.

One thing else value noting: With Morris and Shamet on board, the Knicks don’t have a roster spot for Ryan Arcidiacono. Based mostly on the issues folks with the Knicks and different groups say about Arcidiacono, I believe he’ll have a number of alternatives on an NBA bench or in a scouting/entrance workplace position if he chooses to go that route.

How are Randle and Mitch doing health-wise? Good for begin of camp? Good for opening night time – @krigg23

So far as Mitchell Robinson, he is not going to be prepared for the beginning of the season, per SNY sources. The Knicks and Robinson do not wish to rush the rehab course of and is focusing on a December/January return date, per sources. Robinson and the Knicks are being cautious and wish to ensure that he’s one hundred pc wholesome earlier than he will get again. New York is assured within the depth and flexibility of the roster till Robinson returns.

So far as Julius Randle goes, his rehab had been going very properly earlier within the offseason. Based mostly on earlier timelines for his shoulder surgical procedure, Randle can be considerably forward of schedule if he was absolutely cleared for the beginning of camp. That’s simply hypothesis on my half based mostly on previous surgical procedures. We’ll discover out extra particular info later this month when gamers collect for Media Day.

QUICK HITTERS

If the Nets are severe about tanking, shouldn’t they think about buying and selling Dennis Schroeder whereas his worth is excessive? I believe he’s a terrific slot in Orlando with the Wagner brothers – @The_Cooler

I don’t assume anybody can be shocked if the Nets talked earnestly about Schroeder trades earlier than the 2025 deadline. Similar goes for some other veteran on the roster. Brooklyn has an unbelievable trove of draft picks. I assume they are going to prioritize their youthful gamers below contract – like Jalen Wilson – and develop these gamers versus committing a number of seasons to a veteran like Schroeder.

Individuals speak about Randle because the Knicks’ solely different benefit creator, however they overlook that OG put up 28 factors in a playoff sport earlier than he bought damage. Do you count on OG to get extra designed performs/on-ball alternatives this 12 months? – @_sandreckoner

Anunoby had performs run for him in common season Knicks video games final season. I’d guess he’d proceed to get some performs run for him this season. Although pictures may very well be somewhat extra sparse for many – if not all – of the Knicks rotation gamers this season. As Tom Thibodeau stated in a recent Q&A with NBA.com: “The extra good gamers you’ve got, the extra sacrifices it’s a must to make. Not solely by Julius (Randle), by everyone.”