the SNY Ian Begley I will respond to Knicks questions from readers. Here is the last…
What are the chances that Ariel Hukporti becomes Jericho Sims’ backup center? Thibs liked the way he played during the preseason. We know Coach Thibodeau is not the type of guy who likes to play rookies. – @__Justin99
I can’t give a percentage, but Hukporti made his case in the preseason. He played significant minutes against Charlotte last week and in the preseason opener against Washington. He moved well on offense in both games, played with great energy and looked like someone who is comfortable on an NBA court.
Still, I think it’s fair to assume that Tom Thibodeau accompanies Sims before Hukporti due to Sims’ experience.
But Thibodeau has been pleased with Hukporti’s play in the preseason.
“I think he gave us good minutes,” the coach said after a game last week.
We’ll find out Tuesday if Hukporti is in Thibodeau’s rotation.
At the very least, it appears the Knicks found another player late in the NBA draft. They took him with the 58th pick last June.
“I’m taking it slowly, step by step,” Hukporti said earlier this week. “….I’m definitely learning a lot from KAT (Cities of Karl-Anthony) Also…. This is the first time I’m really playing in America, I’m living in America, I’m getting used to the coach (Thibodeau) and I’m getting used to the game. I’m trying to take everything step by step and not do anything precipitate.
Hukporti had spent the previous three seasons playing in Australia with the NBL’s Next Stars program.
As a prospect, the 7-foot, 245-pound center showed in Australia that he can rebound well, move well for his size and defend the rim. If not for a torn Achilles in 2022, Hukporti likely would have been drafted sooner.
The injury sidelined Hukporti for the entire 2022-23 season. The 22-year-old made a full recovery and returned to the field last season, retaining the athleticism he had before the injury. Before his time in the NBL, Hukporti played in Lithuania’s top league, the LKL, for Nevezis Kedainiai.
Bobby Gonzalezformer Seton Hall head coach and Detroit Pistons scout, coached Hukporti in Lithuania.
“He has a chance to be very good in the league,” Gonzalez said. “He is tall, has great strength, moves well and works hard.”
Gonzalez worked with Hukporti because he has a long-standing relationship with Hukporti’s agent, Thaddeus Foucher. Hukporti’s athleticism and ability to play above the rim impressed Gonzalez, a New York native.
“Obviously, because I’m a New Yorker and a Knicks fan, I couldn’t be more excited to see him here and follow his progress,” Gonzalez said. “I think the Knicks have another good player in the draft.”
Hukporti is on a two-way contract but I expect the Knicks to convert his contract to a standard deal. With Hukporti on a standard contract, the Knicks would have 13 players on traditional contracts.
The Knicks could choose to start the season with fewer than 13 players on standard deals. But like Notes from ESPN Front Office Insider Bobby MarksThe Knicks are not allowed to have fewer than 14 players on a roster for more than 28 days during the regular season. They also cannot have fewer than 14 players for 14 consecutive days in the regular season.
So even if the Knicks start the season with Hukporti on a two-way contract, I would expect them to convert him within the first two weeks of the regular season.
Will he end up playing in front of Sims? I think Sims gets the top spot in the rotation, but if that doesn’t work out well, Hukporti will be there for Thibodeau.
FAST HITTERS
What do you think of the Atlantic Division? – @Knickanator_
Before we get to that, I loved the @Knickanator_ video. THANKS! Here is my opinion:
Boston is probably the team best positioned to repeat since Golden State. If Kristaps Porzingis stay healthy and Al Horford Maintains the level it played at last season, Boston will win a lot of games in the regular season. If history is any indication, we know the Knicks will go all out after every regular season win. So maybe they’ll have a chance to catch Boston in the regular season if the Celtics choose to periodically rest their best players this year.
Philadelphia’s season obviously depends on the health of Joel Embiid And Paul Georges. If Philly has a healthy and energetic Embiid in the playoffs, they should be very tough. This is why, for me, André Drummond is a very important player for Philadelphia. With Drummond, the Sixers can still compete when Embiid is off the court or out of the lineup. (The Knicks were among the teams interested in Drummond this offseason.)
Toronto is convincing thanks to the ex-Knicks (Emmanuel Quickley And RJ Barrett). Quickley should thrive in an expanded role in Toronto. Maybe it makes life easier for Scottie Barnes. But if we assume each team is relatively healthy, I think the Raptors are, at best, a play team in the Eastern Conference. This brings us to the Nets….
What is interesting about the Nets outside of us, looking for losses for the tank? – @jerseyguy_95
I understand the feeling, @jerseyguy_95. It is logical to expect the Nets to “waive the white flag” or become a “disgrace to Ace”. It will still be interesting to watch Cam Thomaswho is eligible for extension this summer. One way or another, Brooklyn will have a decision to make about its future. Also, the Nets and GM Sean Marques are invested in Jordi Hernándezsuccess. The first-year coach’s success won’t be measured in wins and losses. But if he can lay the foundation for a franchise-wide culture of accountability and high standards, it should pay future dividends for the Nets. So his coaching is definitely worth watching.
Furthermore, I think Jalen Wilson is going to have a good season for Brooklyn. By the end of the year, I think we’ll see him as another top pick by Marks and the Nets.
Where are the Knicks with Pacôme Dadiet? Watching the Suns play Dunn bothers me a little, I feel like it’s a repeat of 2022 with Jalen Duren and Jalen Williams. Thibs can’t sit young guys out for a year on his contract. – @bmorelikestate
First of all, State, I love your Knicks tweets/takes, man. I appreciate your passion. You wrote this before Dadiet’s preseason debut with 16 points against Charlotte. And it became even more relevant after this match due to Landry Shametthe injury. Ultimately, my guess is Dadiet won’t be a part of the Knicks’ rotation this season. I say this because the Knicks are trying to win a title and I guess they would rather have a veteran in the rotation than a 19 year old rookie. But Dadiet looked very comfortable on the pitch during the preseason. At the very least, he looks like someone who could be part of an NBA rotation in the near future.
With Shamet likely injured and out for a while, what will they do with his spot on the bench? – @MikeRee60259113
They waived Shamet but I think they will have the spot available for him if/when he returns to the field. This allows the team to maintain flexibility if Shamet doesn’t return until the end. It also saves them money. It is still under evaluation but there is early optimism that it can be avoided surgery.
Do you think Tyler Kolek has a chance to make the rotation? Cam Payne played pretty well in the preseason. What is the latest news on who will be the backup guard? – @DylanBackerESM
Coming out of Summer League, Kolek was listed ahead of Payne on the depth chart. But neither player was expected to be part of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation. That changed after the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. With Josh Hart in the starting lineup and Donte DiVincenzo in Minnesota, there was a void in the bench unit. So the Knicks elevated Payne, a veteran with playoff experience. Given that, my best guess is that Payne starts the season as the backup point guard. With Shamet’s injury, perhaps Kolek will be elevated to the second unit?
Will TJ Warren make the final roster after Shamet’s injury? – @knicksaremid
With Shamet’s situation up in the air, the Knicks had no space under the second apron for TJ Warren. Warren had support from some Knicks coaches and front office members to make the regular season roster. He will be joining the Knicks’ G League team in Westchester, SNY has learned, as he will likely be set to join the club during the season.
What did you think of Brunson/Divincenzo? – @HeathbarzWhat
A: What’s up Heath? I think it’s water under the bridge for both parties. Rick Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo have had a close relationship for some time. Emotions were high on both sides, but I think they put that behind them.
What Knicks move/news over the past 5 years have you most excited to report? – @TMontana4810
That’s a great question. My first reaction is to say “next move for the Knicks.” But I don’t think that’s the answer you’re looking for, lol.
Some of my favorites are actually moves that didn’t happen. I enjoyed reporting on Leon Rose deciding to keep Tom Thibodeau as head coach during the 2022 All Star Break even though he had the latitude to fire him. The same thing happened at the start of the 2022-23 season. Rose’s decision-making – and her loyalty – obviously paid off for New York. The other one that comes to mind is Donovan Mitchell commercial negotiations. There were so many moving parts and so much at stake. Once again, Rose and the Knicks took a cautious approach. This has left the club open to criticism and questioning. But considering how things turned out, it seems like it was the right decision.
