Ignas Brazdeikis Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: F
Born: 01/08/99
Height: 6-6 / 1.98
Weight:216 lbs. / 98 kg.
Salary: $898,310
Born: 01/08/99
Height: 6-6 / 1.98
Weight:216 lbs. / 98 kg.
Salary: $898,310
Knicks executive Allan Houston recorded a shooting video for kids via NBA Cares and the Knicks’ website. In addition, rookie Ignas Brazdeikis recorded readings of children’s books for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. And Frank Ntilikina recorded a video for the Garden’s Make a Wish Foundation.
The G-League’s regular season was to end Friday and Knicks rookie small forward Ignas Brazdeikis would have gotten his chance, according to sources. With the Westchester Knicks out of the playoffs, April games were expected to be a showcase for the 21-year-old Canadian to show why the Knicks moved up in the second round from 55 to 47 to grab him. “That was the plan — join the team, get an opportunity,’’ an NBA source told The Post. “The Knicks were happy with his development. He kept a real positive mentality, kept his head down and was excited about the opportunity.’’
The coronavirus pandemic, which forced the NBA to suspend its season, ruined that opportunity. Brazdeikis, the former Michigan star, is home in Toronto, working out at a private gym. He’s waiting to find out if his rookie season is done at just nine NBA games played — all brief, garbage-time opportunities. Neither David Fizdale nor Mike Miller gave him a chance as he came in with a reputation as a so-so defender. Brazdeikis averaged 1.9 points in six minutes, shooting 27 percent overall — 1 of 9 from the 3-point line.
Joe Raso, a Toronto-based regional scout for multiple teams and a longtime member of Team Canada’s program, sees Brazdeikis as a legitimate NBA scorer. “When I first saw Ignas play as a youngster at 12, he was a playmaker with size and very high IQ,” Raso told The Post. “As he got older, his offense improved and he flourished in roles of being ‘The Man’ in Michigan and in the G-League. “Many see him as an NBA role player at best. But I believe he has tools to become a major offensive contributor. His job now is to convince his NBA bosses. He’s a multifaceted, physical scorer with size. His IQ makes him a candidate as a player you can play through an offense. He now needs to prove he can defend a few positions. He loves the game. I hope the Knicks stick with him.”
Ian Begley: Iggy Brazdeikis has been assigned to the Westchester Knicks, NYK says.
