Rumors

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.

New York Post

Stefan Bondy: Update on Pacome Dadiet’s injury from yesterday — I heard it’s his big toe and nothing major. No structural damage.

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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.

EuroHoops.net

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.” 

New York Post

Marc J. Spears: Legendary former #NBA head coach and executive Bernie Bickerstaff honored by @BCAWORLDWIDE for his influence on the game and his outstanding coaching tree. JB Bickerstaff, Mike Brown, David Fizdale, Phil Handy, JJ Outlaw and others spoke the praises of the NBA pioneer tonight. pic.x.com/A9kXVnjBzg

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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.

bsky.app

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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Andrea Bargnani: Playing with Carmelo Anthony was great because I played with Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, the two true superstars that I played with, maybe Carmelo even more than Bosh famous-wise and player-wise. It was great, I think superstars is is one of the other big difference compared to Europe. In Europe we don't have the superstar level, the superstar kind of player so being next to one of the superstars and playing with them and practice every day was a great experience, because you see what really a superstar is which is something completely different than anybody else. There was a lot of pressure.

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In an interview with BeBasket, Yabusele revealed that Denver was also in the running. Joining three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets was a serious option, but the opportunity in New York proved too compelling to pass up. “It all happened super fast! As soon as I got the offer, I had to give an answer within two hours,” he said. “On the other side, there was also an offer from Denver. I had to act quickly not to miss the opportunity that New York represents, especially with such a great lifestyle!”

EuroHoops.net

For Yabusele, who previously played for the Boston Celtics before returning to Europe with ASVEL and Real Madrid, the move to Madison Square Garden carries more than just basketball significance. “When you look at New York, you can already see how much the franchise has grown in recent years. They’re conference finalists, the team project is clear and very exciting to me. It’s a very good team that plays well together and is playing for a title! That goal was important to me — I want to play for something. Beyond that, New York is a historic team. Playing at Madison Square Garden is every NBA player’s dream — including mine! It’s a special place, and I’m very happy to be there!”

EuroHoops.net

Former Knicks guard Ryan Arcidiacono has agreed to a deal with Trapani Shark, a Sicilian-based team in Italy’s top league. Arcidiacano played seven years in the NBA, averaging four points and 1.9 assists. He most recently played with the Windy City Bulls G League team, averaging 8.2 points and 3.3 assists in 21 minutes a night.

Hoops Rumors

Stefan Bondy: Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges and entire front office on hand to watch Knicks Summer League opener

Twitter

It is common to have your ‘guys’ on your coaching staff. Brown will make at least one significant addition to his staff when he adds an associate head coach. I still expect that there will be holdovers from last year on Brown’s staff (Rick Brunson, Mark Bryant, Maurice Cheeks and Darren Erman). But Brown was told during the interview process that he’d have full autonomy to hire his own staff. Of course, it’s naïve to think that he would include all four coaches if he had a blank slate to work with.

SportsNet New York

Channing Frye: I will say this—my understanding was that Kevin was going to be that next guy for Miami, right? Clarify 'next'—the next UD. The next guy who was keeping that locker room solid. Your 15th guy, your number one guy, your coach, your GM, your owner—they all need to be on the same page. They need to buy into what you're selling. And Kevin was bought in a thousand percent in Miami. Now, do things happen? Yes. But I think—when you’re telling somebody at that age, 'Hey, we want you here,' you’ve got to give them a call to explain like, 'Hey, here’s why you’re going here. Here’s our thought process.' Just that level of respect. It’s not like it would’ve changed anything—but the communication is what I didn’t appreciate necessarily. I think Kevin should either go to New York, Portland, or Cleveland. That’s just my three places."

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