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Josh Hart: And it's kind of about, you know, our situation, but also, like, we can talk about it more around the league—like that second apron—where it's like dudes are figuring out ways to avoid that second apron at any cost. Even like you’re saying, guys now—normally, no one really gets a buyout until you’ve got one year remaining on your deal, and it’s after the trade deadline, and y’all come to some type of agreement. Now, you’re seeing guys get bought out now. You’re seeing guys get waived and stretched, and it’s just with, you know, a massive amount of money on their contract. So it's like that second apron, bro—it's like the Grim Reaper right now.
After the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo was open-minded about leaving Milwaukee. “With the Knicks and all the other teams kind of keeping an eye on Milwaukee and what may or may not happen there, I think one of the reasons why he (Bridges) has not been extended yet is because once you extend him, you cannot trade him for six months,” Begley said on The Putback. “And I think until the Giannis stuff is fully settled, and I don’t think it’s fully settled yet, as much as I’m sure Bucks fans hate to hear that because I would hate to hear that if I was a Bucks fan, but I don’t think it’s fully settled yet. “And so as teams continue to keep an eye on that, continue to at least plan with that somewhere in the back of their mind, I think that’s why you haven’t seen Bridges extended yet. When he does extend, I think that would tell you Giannis is put to bed, is off the table in a sense.”
Jake Fischer: I think all along there was never really a plan to move Jaylen or Derrick. So I don't think anything got close, and I don’t think they were really willing to move those guys either. Like, you would have had to make a trade—Desmond Bane, Mikal Bridges–type of offer—for Derrick White. And honestly, for Jaylen—as great as he is—I think a lot of teams look at his salary number and go: “Why would you be paying what Boston values him at, for that contract?” So his deal isn’t universally viewed as an incredible addition if you were to trade for him.
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Stefan Bondy: Pacome Dadiet (toe sprain) and Kevin McCullar (nasal contusion) are out of today’s game for the Knicks James Nnaji is available
"I think so," says Hill when asked if the Magic can compete with the likes of the Cavaliers and Knicks. "They have some pieces. You have to wait and see how it all comes together, but they got a guy who could go get a bucket in the playoffs, you need a guy who has that ability and Banchero's that. You have better shooting now, better spacing. I think with the shooting, if you can knock down the three, I think Banchero can show his passing and facilitating too, but also it makes it harder to guard him if you can't leave guys." It's worth noting that the Magic led the NBA in defense this past season. When combined with the improved three-point shooting, that should be a recipe for success, according to Hill. "I also think you don't sacrifice your defense with the changes they made," says Hill.
Darvin Ham was also scratched off the list for Mike Brown’s top assistant. The Milwaukee Bucks denied the Knicks’ request to interview Ham for the associate head coach position, The Post has learned. Ham joins James Borrego of the Pelicans and Jay Triano of the Mavericks as candidates under contract who weren’t granted permission to interview with the Knicks.
Who might the Knicks sign with that veteran’s minimum deal? They have continued to touch base with Ben Simmons during the free agency period. I’m sure they have touched base with other vets as well. Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook are among the lead guards still on the market. Teams are wondering if Washington will agree to a buyout with veteran guard Marcus Smart. For what it’s worth, the Knicks don’t seem to be exclusively focused on ball-handling guards with that last spot. New York still sees Landry Shamet as a possibility and Shamet remains open to returning to New York.
A seemingly busy offseason did not include the Knicks. “There was no contact at all,” Rokas Jokubaitis said, and once more ruled out another showing in the NBA Summer League. Back in 2021, he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 34th overall selection and subsequently traded to the Knicks.
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The league collection includes NBA and MLB sports teams from L.A. (Dodgers and Lakers), Chicago (Bulls, Cubs and White Sox) and New York (Mets and Knicks), offering Mitchell & Ness Jerseys, hoodies, t-shires and hats repping the teams and Blackpink.
It’s Kevin McCullar Jr.’s first summer league and, in many ways, his first NBA season is still upcoming. Yes, he was drafted in 2024. And yes, he played four games with the Knicks this past season. But McCullar’s rookie campaign was derailed by a knee problem. He didn’t participate in training camp or the Vegas games or most of the calendar events. “This is really my real rookie season,” McCullar said Sunday after pouring in 30 points in a 94-81 summer league loss to the Celtics. “Last year I just got to be able to get my feet wet a little bit. … I love playing and I missed it for so long. Now it’s pretty much my rookie season.”
James Edwards III: Mikal Bridges is here again to watch the Knicks game, sitting near the front office. He's eligible for an extension this summer. Him being here and sitting next to Mike Brown, Leon Rose and Co. is a good sign that something will get done.
Fred Katz: The Knicks plan to add former Kings assistant Riccardo Fois to Mike Brown’s coaching staff, league source tells @TheAthletic. Fois is sitting with the Knicks’ contingent at their summer league game right now.
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