This year, their trade candidates were expected to be Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, Austin Rivers and Elfrid Payton. Frank Ntilikina, scheduled to be a free agent, also figured to be on the block, and now he may be used as a pawn to obtain a veteran.
Alec Burks Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 07/20/91
Height: 6-6 / 1.98
Weight:195 lbs. / 88.5 kg.
Salary: $6,000,000
Born: 07/20/91
Height: 6-6 / 1.98
Weight:195 lbs. / 88.5 kg.
Salary: $6,000,000
Knicks beat Blazers in matinee game
The New York Knicks capitalized on the fatigue shown by the Portland Trail Blazers getting the win, 110-99, in a matinee meeting at the Madison Square Garden Saturday. Elfrid Payton dropped a team-high 22 points. Julius Randle got 20 points plus 11 rebounds. RJ Barrett had 18 points and Alec Burks had 16 points in a balanced offensive effort paired with effective defense in long stretches of the 2020-21 NBA Regular Season tilt.
One individual familiar with the coaching staff’s thinking said Thibodeau still senses Bullock, Toppin and Burks provide “more energy” than Knox has recently, though no data exists to back that up. One of Knox’s issues coming out of Kentucky was a low motor, but he had competed harder this season. Thibodeau recently commended Knox’s shot selection – feeling last season he launched a lot of ill-advised attempts. For his part, Knox said recently he needed to attack the rim more and not rely solely on 3s.
Ian Begley: Alec Burks is probable for tomorrow vs GSW, Knicks say. Frank Ntilikina and Austin Rivers are doubtful, team says.
Ian Begley: Knicks say Alec Burks (ankle) is doubtful for tomorrow vs. BOS. Frank Ntilikina remains out. Nerlens Noel (back) and Mitchell Robinson (heel) are probable.
Frank Ntilikina out another week
Injuries to Alec Burks and Frank Ntilikina, in particular, has Barrett playing more minutes than Thibodeau would like and neither will be back in the next week. Ntilikina (sprained knee), has missed nearly two weeks with a sprained knee and doesn’t figure back at practice for another week, according to Thibodeau.
