ESPN analyst hails Knicks’ selection of Dadiet
ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla praised the Knicks’ first-round pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft last night, French forward Pacome Dadiet. Fraschilla called the 25th pick a “good pick” and suggested fans buy tickets to see Dadiet with the Westchester Knicks, where he could play for most of next season.
It was a great acquisition for the Knicks. If you’re a Westchester Knicks fan, buy your tickets now because he’ll see some time there, but I love his long-term potential. https://t.co/4WwBLRYH54
– Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) June 27, 2024
The unproven 18-year-old plans to play in the NBA next season, but keeping him on reserve could save him money on his salary cap. Dadiet is a versatile and energetic rebounder and shooter with an NBA-ready body, but his defense needs to be developed.
Dadiet was one of four French players selected in the first round, along with top pick Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr (No. 2) and Tidjane Salaun (No. 6). This is the Knicks’ second attempt with a French player, since they selected Frank Ntilikina in 2017.
In another tweet, Fraschilla compared Dadiet to Magic forward Franz Wagner: “A German coach in the BBL where he played this year told me he was better at the same age as Franz Wagner. A big compliment. Remember, Franz spent two more years at Michigan before the NBA. » Consider us intrigued!
The draft continues at 4 p.m. ET today. The Knicks will have two picks, 38 and 51. . expect more hijinx from Leon Rose!
Fred Katz on the Bridge Business
Yesterday, Fred Katz wrote in The Athletic that “the Knicks are all in, but now they have to prove it.”
The New York Knicks, under team president Leon Rose, executed a long-term strategy by trading four unprotected first-round picks, a protected pick, and Bojan Bogdanović for Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets. The move fits into their vision of acquiring future assets and maintaining flexibility for a star trade. Bridges, a versatile defender and efficient shooter, complements Jalen Brunson and solidifies the Knicks’ status as a title contender. By prioritizing chemistry and fitness over star power, the Knicks are now well-positioned to seriously contend for the NBA title with an emphasis on long-term success and adjusted expectations.
“The Knicks went all-in on a star. They traded for chemistry over star power, for form over glory. Beating the defending champion Boston Celtics will require stockpiling wings. That’s what the Knicks are doing.
As Katz notes, Bridges’ shooting efficiency (44 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range last season) should improve because defenders can’t leave him, Anunoby or DiVincenzo unguarded without risking a three-pointer. And the Bridges trade is different from the Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant trade, which also involved a massive capital grab.
“This is not a situation like Phoenix, where the Suns traded Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, putting all their assets to work for an older team. Phoenix has a short window of time to win a title, given the age of their team. (…) Every member of the Knicks rotation is under 30. Randle, the grandfather of the group, is only 29.”
Read the full article here.
Two Knicks in The Athletic’s NBA Player Third Project
Recently, The Athletic’s Seth Partnow submitted his fifth entry to the annual NBA Player Tiers Project. In it, he “names the league’s top 125 players after each season, then separates them into five distinct value categories.”
The NBA is experiencing a change, with longtime stars aging while emerging talents like Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama emerge. As Partnow observes, the balance between veteran and emerging players remains a very controversial topic.
Partnow put two Knicks on his roster. Jalen Brunson is listed as 2B and OG Anunoby is listed as 3C. The Boston Celtics have the most players on the roster, with Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porziņģis, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. The Oklahoma City Thunder have three players on the roster, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, as do the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.
OG Anunboy recently made headlines after opting out of his contract and signing a five-year, $212.5 million deal with New York.
The three main levels of Partnow are:
- LEVEL 1A: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks); Nikola Jokić (Nuggets); Luka Doncic (Mavericks)
- TIER 1B: Stephen Curry (Warriors); Kevin Durant (Suns); Joel Embiid (76ers)
- TIER 2A: LeBron James (Lakers); Jayson Tatum (Celtics); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
- TIER 2B: Jimmy Butler (Heat); Devin Booker (Suns); Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves); Victor Wembanyama (Spurs); Jalen Brunson (Knicks)
- TIER 2C: Kyrie Irving (Mavericks); Kawhi Leonard (Cutters); Anthony Davis (Lakers); Ja Morant (Grizzlies)
- LEVEL 2C: Paul George (Clippers); Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers); Bam Adebayo (Heat); De’Aaron Fox (Kings); Jaylen Brown (Celtics)
- Tier 3A: James Harden (Clippers); Jamal Murray (Nuggets); Zion Williamson (Pelicans); Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves); Chet Holmgren (Thunder); Pascal Siakam (Pacers)
- TIER 3B: Damian Lillard (Bucks); Trae Young (Falcons); Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers); Jrue Holiday (Celtics); Kristaps Porziņģis (Celtics); Derrick White (Celtics); Tyrese Maxey (76ers); Khris Middleton (Bucks);
- LEVEL 3C: Lauri Markkanen (Jazz); DeMar DeRozan (Bulls); Paolo Banchero (Magic); Jalen Williams (Thunder); ET Anunoby (Knicks)
Read the full list here and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Go Knicks!
Deuce McBride Undergoes ‘Procedure’ on Little Toe
According to Stefan Bondy and others, the Knicks announced this week that McBride has had a procedure on his right pinky finger reversed. He is expected to return to full basketball activities later this summer, which would put him in line for the start of training camp.
McBride initially struggled to find playing time in the 2023-24 season, but he played a significant role as injuries mounted, averaging 11.7 points, 2.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 three-pointers per game after the All-Star break. However, the acquisition of Mikal Bridges is expected to reduce his playing time in the 2024-25 season.
Here, Deuce draws his sword at a Cincinnati football game and continues to live his best life.