In just one year as their head coach, Tom Thibodeau has dramatically changed the culture of the New York Knicks. Led by star Julius Randle, the entire team is playing inspired basketball on both ends of the floor, as that has earned them a potential shot of home-court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
“Now the goal posts have been moved,” one person with knowledge of the situation said. “Thibs isn’t going to want to rebuild. He has a lot of power, and there’s some momentum.”
While Thibodeau may not prefer a rebuild, the Knicks could still opt to take more of a middle ground approach, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. That could include bringing back Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks on one-year contract or signing Kyle Lowry to a big-money one-year deal. Fischer adds that league executives are under the impression that Lowry prefers a multi-year deal, but playing a big role on a winning team at Madison Square Garden could end up appealing to the six-time All-Star.
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- While the Phoenix Suns are a huge threat to win the NBA Finals this season, Chris Paul might still have his eyes set on “The Big Apple.” “It’s hard to ignore the Leon (Rose)-Chris Paul connection,” a player agent said. Matt Barnes said in a Sirius XM interview back in November that Paul, who can opt-out and become a free agent this offseason, wanted “the full Knick experience,” so if a near full capacity of fans will be allowed back in MSG next season, that might appeal to the 11-time All-Star.
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Fischer mentioned that the Knicks briefly explored a Randle trade at the trade deadline when his value was at his peak. Safe to say the Knicks made the right decision to keep him, as the 25-year-old forward is putting up averages of 26.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 16 games past the deadline with the Knicks in prime position to play some meaningful games in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
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Fischer adds that Lonzo Ball still has some support from several people within the Knicks’ organization. The New Orleans Pelicans can match any potential offer sheet his way, but if the Knicks blow the UCLA product away with a huge offer, then the Pelicans may either elect to not match or work out a sign-and-trade with the Knicks. Thibodeau is also said to be interested in Norman Powell.
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DeMar DeRozan is mentioned in Fischer’s article as a player who could fit into Thibodeau’s culture, as the San Antonio Spurs guard is believed to be interested in returning to the Eastern Conference. DeRozan is averaging 21.2 points, 7.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game this season, as he and Randle could form a nice duo, especially in the pick-and-roll.
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Multiple teams tried to acquire Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn ahead of the trade deadline, according to Alex Kennedy of BasketballNews.com. Nunn is averaging 19.8 points on 51.4 percent shooting, 4.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists over his last five games, as the Heat have gone 4-1 in that stretch.
