Knicks News and Rumor Roundup

Will Mitch Rob Be Ready?

There is a decent amount of stuff to discuss as we try to make our way through the dog days of August…

🏀 Sims Stays 
As expected, on Friday, Jericho Sims' contract with the Knicks for the 2024-25 campaign became fully guaranteed (for $2.1 million). Sims had a partial guarantee of $1.3 million and would have had to be waived before that date if New York wanted to avoid guaranteeing the remainder of his salary. Assuming he isn't extended prior to July, Sims will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. 

It was an easy decision for the New York front office, as the Knicks have an overabundance of talent and depth at the guard and forward positions but remain shallow at center.

Due to New York's frontcourt injuries, Sims has seen some unexpected opportunities in the past two seasons. In fact, over the past 40 years, he's one of only 31 Knicks to start more than 30 games over his first three pro seasons.

However, while there have been some encouraging moments here and there, Sims averaged a career-low 2.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game over 45 appearances last year. In the 11 contests he started, Sims, the 58th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, averaged 4.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. 

Next season could be a make-or-break campaign for the big man. It's worth noting that, for the first time in three years, Sims has been able to practice without restrictions this offseason. In 2022, Sims was recovering from surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb. Last summer, Sims tore his labrum and cuff tendon in his shooting shoulder. He's spent time in the gym with Mike Bibby this summer; we'll see if he earns increased reps in the preseason. 

🏀 Toppin Back 
The other roster move the Knicks made last week was re-signing Jacob Toppin to a two-way contract. 

Toppin appeared in only nine games for the Knicks last year but played very well in Westchester for New York's G-League affiliate, where he averaged 19.8 points (on 48.8% shooting), 8.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 25 starts. He poured in a career-high 40 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a victory over Birmingham in early February. He'll look to expand his game and improve his stock down on the farm. 

The Knicks now have all three of their two-way slots accounted for, with Ariel Hukporti and Kevin McCullar also on 2-ways pacts. 

🏀 In the Substack he published yesterday, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported: "The Knicks recently auditioned free agent big man Omer Yurtseven, among others, but did not elect to sign him."

As I noted in last week's post detailing potential candidates for the Knicks final roster spot, Yurtseven averaged 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per night while shooting 53.8% from the field over 48 appearances (including 12 starts) for Utah last season.

"Panathinaikos of Greece has publicly stated interest in bringing Yurtseven to the EuroLeague," per Stein.  

🏀 Will Mitch Rob Be Ready? 
Some encouraging news on Julius Randle's recovery from shoulder surgery via SNY's Ian Begley. Randle initially underwent surgery in April, with the Knicks announcing he would be re-evaluated in September. According to Begley, Randle's rehab is going "very well," although "it would be surprising if Randle were ready for the start of training camp."  Begley reports, "If everything progresses well, he should be back on the court for the Knicks' Oct. 22 season opener or soon thereafter." 

The update on Mitchell Robinson wasn't as optimistic. Mitch Rob, who had surgery in May to repair a stress injury to his left ankle, "had not yet been cleared for high-intensity weight-bearing activities during his rehab" as of early last week, per Begley. "So Robinson has to clear several hurdles before he gets clearance to fully participate in training camp."

Jalen Brunson, who underwent surgery for his fractured left hand in mid-May, told reporters during his captaincy presser that he expects to be fully ready to rock at the start of training camp.  

🏀 Makhtar Ndiaye, the former UNC star who had served in the Knicks front office since 2015 as a head scout, announced this weekend that he was leaving New York to join the Mavs as their Director of International and Pro scouting. 

The fact that Knicks executives, scouts and assistant coaches continue to be targeted by other organizations shows how much respect this new Knicks franchise has garnered league-wide.

🏀 Schedule Stuff:
In my previous post, I highlighted ten games during the 2024-25 season that Knicks fans can look forward to. Here are some other noteworthy tidbits from the upcoming season: 

* New York will play 24 nationally televised games on either ESPN, ABC or TNT. That's the third-most among all teams in the league, trailing only the defending champion Celtics (26) and the LeBron-led Lakers (27).

This is proof that not only are the Knicks considered legit title contenders by the public at large, but that they are also an entertaining club. (The only downside is fewer broadcasts with Mike Breen and Walt Clyde on the mics.)

* The Knicks face some tough sledding right of the gate in October. Seven of New York's first ten contests are on the road. Eight of those ten opponents qualified for the postseason in 2023-24. Keep in mind that Mitch Rob and Randle may be at less than 100% if they are available. Would you guys sign up right now for a 6-4 start? What about 5-5?

Fortunately, following that tough opening stretch, the Knicks can make up some ground during a four-game homestead that includes two games vs. Brooklyn and one apiece vs. Chicago and Washington. 

* Yet, after that respite in mid-November, the 'Bockers will embark on a five-game road trip out west with stops in Phoenix, Denver and Dallas. The Knicks' other West Coast voyage takes place in March when they play the Lakers and Clippers on consecutive nights in Los Angeles and spend the following week playing the Kings, Blazers and Warriors.

* New York's longest homestand occurs once the calendar flips to 2025. Beginning in early January, the Knicks play 12 out of 14 games at the Garden. Remarkably, the only two road contests during this stretch are at Brooklyn (MSG East) and Philly (Brunson's Building with those Nova banners hanging from the rafters). So, over a four-week stretch from Jan. 6 through Feb. 3, the players can sleep in their own bed every night.  

* The Knicks will play 15 sets of back-to-backs this season, which is the league average. New York posted a record of 6-7 on the back end of B2B's in 2023-24.